Della COLE's selection of French property for sale

About my area

I live in the Poitou Charente in a hamlet in the commune of Chaunay. Surrounded by fields of varying colours depending on the season and an amass of wildlife from wild boar to badgers, deer to red squirrels, buzzards and many other birds, ideal for photographers and artists alike. Only half an hour from Poitiers, with its excellent airport, Futuroscope theme park, markets, department stores, plenty of boutiques, bars, cafés and restaurants. Chauvigny, a medieval town, is well worth a visit with its “velo-rail” and demonstrations of birds of prey and falconry for the less energetic. The “Vallée de Singes is just a few kilometers from Chaunay, and makes an ideal day out for all our visitors, with the monkeys wandering freely in their beautiful park. Why not have a relaxing picnic in the shade of the trees, while watching the gorillas being fed. There is so much to do in and around our area, with plenty of local produce markets, Cognac, Vineyards, Angouleme and the west coast all within easy reach.

About me

I moved to France with my husband and 12 year old son in 2006, in search of a better way of life and more family time; we found it! Having arrived, reality hit and we needed to learn the French language. For our son that wasn’t too difficult, he was bilingual within six months. I managed to find a seasonal job in a local café, where the local French people were adorable. They had such patience, (and believe me they needed it) and helped me learn. I am now fluent. My husband decided to throw himself into one of every French household traditions of vegetable gardening, something he had never done before, but he was and still is a huge success. However after two years he was asked to join a local French building company as laborer, where he has been taught all the French techniques and standards and of course now he too can speak the language. We moved to Chaunay in 2011, upsizing from our 2 bed barn conversion, and in 2013 I was invited to join the town council; what an honor, and of course I accepted. Being involved, having time for family, friends and neighbours is a real part of our community, everyone sharing a hand where needed. Be warned thou’ the French keep a keen eye on your veg patch and they are very competitive!