Please select from the six properties available for rental in Southern France on the left panel.
Regional info:
CHARENTE (16) - the sunniest region of the west - the land of tillers of the soil, that of Cognac, Pineau, oysters and cheese; home of the best butter in all of France. The land of warriors, privateers and church builders - a land of Châteaux and Romanesque architecture. Birthplace of the Renaissance era in France; an area of many small towns and few large cities due to damage done during the Wars of Religion in the mid 16th Century. This Department was created in 1790 and derived its name from its main river. The Charente region can be thought of as four natural areas - the north-east comprises mainly grazing land. To the west, around Cognac, is the vineyard area where the great distilleries of Hine, Hennessy and Courvoisier can be found. Eastwards, around La Rochefoucauld and south towards the Dordogne borders, the land is mainly arable with sizable areas of woodland. Southern Charente is hillier than the rest of the Department and the land is an amalgam of agricultural land, pasture, vineyards and woodland.
Perhaps the most famous Department of them all - the DORDOGNE (24) named after its main river which is one of the longest and most picturesque in France, is split into four major sections, each one being different from its neighbour, but all just as interesting:-
To the north an area known as the Périgord Vert – is, as its name implies, a lush green area, quite heavily wooded in parts, with the remainder being agricultural. In fact the eastern section is the old agricultural centre of the Dordogne. As agriculture wanes there are farmhouses with outbuildings and land for sale, affording good value for money in this part of the Department.
In the middle, the Périgord Blanc stretches across the Department from West to East and is mainly limestone - hence the name. In the centre lies Périgueux, the capital city of the department with a population of around 35,000 (Calais approx. 500 miles/St Malo 330 miles). The old town of Périgueux is steeped in history and hides many gastronomic restaurants, whereas the modern town has a large selection of shops, hotels, supermarkets etc. To the west, smaller market towns follow the River Isle and to the east, the Isle and Auvezère Rivers.
The south east section of the Dordogne is called Périgord Noir - the black region. Dramatic rock formations, castles, rivers, fortified medieval towns and the centre of pre-history in France. The towns of Le Bugue, St Cyprien and Sarlat are all absolutely charming historical sites. It is the area most frequented by tourists and thus the most expensive in terms of property prices.
To the south west of the Department lies the Périgord Pourpre, another area of vineyards, Bergerac and Monbazillac being the most famous. Fields of tobacco, sweet corn, sun flowers, and strawberries abound interspersed with some fine châteaux and pretty medieval villages. Being one of the most heavily wooded areas of France, its cuisine is full of the earthy flavours of its forests. A kingdom of pâté de foie gras, tons of truffles being produced per annum, over 10,000 tons of walnuts which produce a velvety pure aromatic oil, and of wild mushrooms and snails. Stock raising is also an important trade so lamb, pork and beef grace most menus, duck also giving us the famous magrêt de canard.
Temperatures in the Dordogne reach 65ºf. in April and towards 90º f. in July and August which is the height of the tourist season. In general terms, the southern half of the Department of the Dordogne, being the most popular has higher property prices than surrounding areas and due to its popularity over the years, most of the older cottages have now been renovated. Therefore smaller properties at low prices needing restoration are practically impossible to find.
The Herault (34)
In this sun-drenched corner of the south of France, you’ll find sandy beaches lapped by the Mediterranean sea, wild open spaces in the Cévennes hills, monasteries and castles and vineyards where you can taste some of the best wines in France. The department of Hérault covers around 6200 square km and has a population of around 90,000 people, who mainly live in Montpellier, Sète and Béziers - three very different cities, each with its own Character and charm. Bordering the Mediterranean is about 60 miles of coastline, which stretches between the beautiful region known as the Camargue, and the tree-lined Canal du Midi.
The landscape of Hérault starts craggy and beautiful in the southern part of the Massif Central and descends gently until it opens onto the Mediterranean coast. With its lakes and saltwater lagoons, gorges and rivers, mountains and beaches, sunny climate and cultural attractions.The Hérault coastline and 13 marinas is one of the most unspoiled and protected on the Mediterranean.Most of the coastal area is part of a conservation zone, But there are also delightful seaside resorts, where the natural beauty of the shoreline makes the perfect backdrop for family’s.
The Languedoc plain has seen it all: from the Romans who planted vines and olive groves to the builder-monks; from crusades against the Cathars to the architecture of the Enlightenment; from the peasants of the past to the wine growers of today. Every age has left its mark. The Canal du Midi is a story in itself, but each abbey, medieval street and Roman fort has a tale to tell. And there are thousands of local products to taste too!
Hillsides covered with vineyards changing colour with the seasons, hamlets nestling in lush pastures, villages perched on rocky crags, cherry trees in blossom , chestnut groves, forests of beech and pine... you’ll find all this in the mountains of Hérault. When climbing the Caroux or hiking in the gorges along the Vis river, you could go for hours without seeing a soul, except the occasional angler or sheep.The hospitality of this region is rooted in tradition. Everything you eat is produced locally and the welcome you receive is genuinely warm... like coming home.
In the heart of every town you’ll find a main square, lined with restaurants and terraces where you can eat outdoors and watch the world go by. There may also be a theatre in the largest towns, but for drama, you can just stay on the street. The squares and terraces themselves are like theatres, where festivals and concerts take place and everyone is a kind of actor. You go there to see and be seen. In the town centres you can stroll along pedestrianised streets lined with historic buildings, discover narrow medieval alleyways and elegant 17th-century town houses.
In Sète, the colours and culture will remind you of Italy. The town of Béziers is transformed on 15 August for its feria. The regional capital of Montpellier is the height of elegance and style.
LEISURE
Living in south west France, whether permanently or during holiday times, will never be boring for either home owners or visitors. To many a Francophile, lazy days in the sun, shopping in the market, a game of boules in the village square with new found friends, sipping a glass of wine followed by lunch in the local café, is enough to make them realise that this is the place to be. The general ambience, feel and smell of France is enchanting, but for most people the gastronomy is the “icing on the cake”. Whether one prefers just a slice of local cheese or ham with a tomato salad covered in a basil dressing, served with a fresh baguette, or a more exotic dish such as Pigeonneau au Chou Rouge et Champignons, food and wine are the forte of France !
Out and about there is plenty to keep one occupied. If one has a house for restoration then, no doubt, for a few years at least, there will be precious little time for active sports. However, for those with children and/or summer visitors, the following maybe useful:-
Sailing and water skiing can be found both on the coast and on some of the rivers, where canoes and kayaks are also available, as is fishing (for which a licence is required). Swimming in the many rivers traversing the area is very popular and for those that prefer a swimming pool many of the larger towns can provide these, also tennis courts, as can sports and leisure centres, campsites, hotels etc., throughout the region. Recreational lakes are popular and offer most of the above facilities as well as windsurfing etc.
For classic car enthusiasts there are motor clubs in most of the larger towns throughout the area, a multitude of rallies and other events take place most weekends, not forgetting the Circuit des Remparts in Angoulême which takes place annually in September and makes a memorable weekend for motoring racing buffs, who gather here from all over Europe for the street races which transform the town for 48 hours.
Equestrianism is widely available and horse-riding excursions can be made deep into the countryside.
Golf - both 9 and 18 hole courses throughout the area as this sport becomes more popular in France, and not being over-used, it is quite common just to turn up and play.
Walking in the countryside, especially on the “Grande Randonnée” long-distance paths, and cycling on little lanes enjoying a freedom of traffic not often found in some parts of England.
Pre-history/rock climbing/exploring caves - always popular and the south east of the Dordogne is one of the great centres of France for these exploits.
Museums covering all aspects of the French way of life, past and present, can be found everywhere from the tobacco museum in Bergerac to the military museum in Périgueux. There are museums of religious art, weaving and, of course, pre-history.
Châteaux/Botanical Gardens/Zoological Parks/Nature Reserves - Wine Tasting Tours - Antique Fairs - Wine and Garlic Festivals - Music Festivals - Local Markets – and more …Aveyron, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot...Property...