Last year we were considering moving from southern Spain to Lower Normandy but on reflection we have decided that possibly Charente Maritime may be better for us. We are a retired couple aged 64 and 72 and are thinking of renting for a year whilst letting out our current home here in Spain. We know little of Charente Maritime and would appreciate any help, advice, information etc. concerning the area. For instance, I have been told that the people of the area have a reputation for being the most welcoming and friendly in France - true or false? Also, we have heard that there is a considerable British expat community there. Any help would be most appreciated. Best wishes, Barbara

I think there is a British population in the Charente Maratime - but there's a British population practically everywhere in rural France now especially in the places you might actually like to live. I liked the area when I visited - rich in history and close to the coast. I've never heard that they are particularly friendly but most people in France get on with life and nowhere is it like it is on the Costas in Spain - I mean that even with big British populations like I believe certain areas of the Charante have - the French will always be the majority by far and you can be as British or as reclusive as you see fit. Nice place I'd say

Hello Barbara,

we have just returned from a long holiday in France, most of it spent in Charente-Maritime. We've travelled around the country quite a bit and have decided that this is definately the area we would like to settle (when we can sell our house in the UK). It's just beautiful with miles of vineyards and lots of wildlife. The area around Gemozac is good because you have easy access to the coast and it's between the two large towns of Saintes and Pons.
We spent some time at Port Maubert, a small fishing port on the Gironde estuary and loved it. It's flat for cycling and we spent hours birdwatching.

We have found the local people to be very friendly and I do know there is an ex-pat community because we were invited to one of their quiz nights.

The houses are a little more expensive maybe than in other areas but you need to choose an area that's right for you, that's more important than a cheap house.

Good luck!

Hello Scardycat, thanks for the information, it seems as though my thoughts on Charente Maritime are correct. We are waiting eagerly for tomorrow when our prospective rental family are coming from the UK to view our house. We shall be visiting Charente Maritime in five weeks time for a holiday with our son and daughter-in-law and our absolutely gorgeous little grandson (aged 43 weeks) so we will be able to have a good look around then. (We may even travel up there sooner, depending on whether or not we are successful in renting our house and how soon the family want to move.) I shall be exploring the places you have mentioned on the net as they sound exactly what we are looking for, especially as my OH is a bird enthusiast (the feathered kind of course.) Many thanks again for your help, keep in touch, you can email us if you want to. Best wishes, Barbara

Hi Barbara,

We looked around there at one point and liked most of what we saw... especially some villages within striking distance of Sante on the eastern side. For us the main downside was the tourist hordes in summer and the Costa Brava-isation of the coastal region. Pity.

So we bought in Normandy after all.