Charlotte FIELD's selection of French property for sale

About my area

Once the hunting grounds of the French kings and noblemen, the Loire Valley is a treasure trove of chateaux and historic monuments. Closest to my home in Chinon are the Royal Forteresse of Chinon, home of Henri II and the Plantagenets for 200 years and the start of Joan of Arc’s tragic crusade ; the Abbey at Fontevraud, last resting place of Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Acquitaine, and many other stunning historic palaces including Azay le Rideau, Villandry and Langeais. However the area’s appeal doesn’t stop there : if fantastic wineries, wonderful fresh food and a laid back pace of life float your boat, this is the spot ! The meandering Loire and Vienne rivers are close by, cycling along the towpaths, canoeing and fishing not to mention leisurely boat cruises are available here all year round. Fabulous medieval towns (Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur) a-plenty, most of them with weekly markets, a haven for slow-food afficionados. If you plan a live/work balance, the tourism sector is vibrant here (gite rentals and B&B / restaurant opportunities) and many people commute successfully to the UK by air from Poitiers or Tours (both have regular flights to Stansted) or by TGV high speed train which serves Tours in under an hour from Paris.

About me

I fell in love with France as a student in the early 90’s studying International Business and French. After a 12 year career in Irish state service to small businesses, including 6 years based in Brussels, I moved with my Parisian husband to the stunning Loire Valley full time in 2008 where we run a successful holiday buisness whilst bringing up four children who are thriving in the rural village school. I am passionate about the rural life, running and gardening in my spare time, and making the most of a work-life balance that evaded me for years in the corporate world ! Here, we enjoy the simple pleasures of picking raspberries round the pool with the kids, collecting the eggs, and having a neighbourly community life in a small village.