Property for Sale in Charente

Charente is a department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, named after the winding Charente River.

The Charente is home to 350,000 people, with over 40,000 of residents living in its prefecture, Angoulême, which overlooks the river. It’s the fourth most popular department among British buyers too, who are attracted to Charente for its warm air, picturesque landscapes, sandy coast and up-and-coming wine region. 

The Charente is north of Bordeaux and south of Nantes. It’s a popular alternative to the verdant Dordogne as both regions have lots of rolling hills, authentic French villages, and offer variety when it comes to properties. 

Charente enjoys a pleasant climate, with mild winters and relatively warm summers. La Rochelle enjoys 2250 hours of sunshine, second only to the French Riviera. Snowfall is rare in winter and the summer-to-autumn transition is said to be when the department is at its best. Expect a gentle breeze from the coast and regular sun. 

The Charente coastline is populated with many beaches and ports. La Rochelle offers a refreshing mix of Renaissance-inspired architecture and small-town charm. The islands Noirmoutier, Ré and Île d’Aix offer an escape from inland life, where long beaches surround the town and tranquillity is the norm. 

Over half of the Charente’s economy is generated by exports of Cognac, a small town that gives its name to the popular brandy from which it is the epicentre of local brandy production. It’s a unique spirit that’s double-distilled onsite in Cognac, the Charentais, an area immediately north of Bordeaux. 

The Bordeaux wine region surrounds the region of Poitou-Charentes in a large semicircle, making it easy to fetch local wines, wherever you are. The Poitou-Charentes coastline is delightful year-round. There you’ll find both flashy restaurants designed to entice tourists and local favourites, where seafood is often a speciality.

Properties in the Charente are well priced and affordable for those looking for an authentic life in France. Whether you’re after a farmhouse on the outskirts near a popular vineyard, a typical Charente house in an old village or perhaps an apartment in a bustling city like Angoulême – there’s something for every taste in the Charente. 

Property prices in the Charente are typical of France. Prices are cheaper than Paris, the south coast and the riviera, and similar to the Dordogne and northern regions.  

At France Property Guides, we also have homes closer to the coast in the Charente-Maritime for you to browse if you prefer to live by the sea.

Our expert guides can lead you through financing your purchase of Charente property and buying homes in France, as well as give you tips for living there once you've moved. Our property market news can keep you on top of the latest developments and legislation too, so search houses for sale in Charente and start your journey abroad today.