France - Poitou-Charentes Escape to the Continent

This 15th century tower behind me stands proudly as the only

surviving medieval lighthouse on the Atlantic coast.

However, during its 600-year history,

this 70-metre high tower was also used as a jail,

imprisoning pirates, clergy and even British seamen.

So find out where I am and which country I'm in, in just a moment.

Today, we are crossing the Channel, helping a couple from Sheffield

who are hoping to start a new life abroad.

And they can't believe what they are seeing.

-Wow!

-Oh, it's lovely.

Fantastic.

But they don't always see eye to eye.

You might not thank me, but I am going to tell you

there is enough room to have pigs and chickens.

-Oh, no!

-Oh, yes!

Welcome to Escape To The Continent.

I am in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France

and these are the centuries-old towers of La Rochelle.

Now, this historic port was once a fishing village,

but it was during the 16th and 17th century that the city

became the major stronghold for the French Protestants,

which resulted in years of religious and bloody sieges

with France's Catholic monarchy.

Thankfully, today, peace has been restored and this old port is packed

with breathtaking architecture and a stunning coastline,

offering just a taste of what this beautiful region has to offer.

Lying in western France, the Poitou-Charentes benefits

from the best of coast and countryside,

sitting right up against the Atlantic Ocean.

Covering a massive 10,000 square miles,

this varied landscape is roughly the same size as the British

counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria put together.

The golden sand coastline to the west boasts award-winning beaches,

as well as laying claim to being the largest oyster cultivation area in Europe.

Producing over 45,000 tonnes a year,

they are considered some of the best in the world.

Further inland, this mainly agricultural region gives way

to a stunning and gently undulating landscape of farmland and vineyards.

The Poitou-Charentes boasts some of the mildest

and sunniest weather in France.

Perhaps another reason why nearly 13,000 British expats

are now calling the region home.

But what is it about this region that so appeals to today's buyers?

Let's meet them to find out.

Yorkshire couple Joe and Hillary live just a few miles

from the centre of Sheffield in a four-bedroom semi-detached property.

But nearing their 30th wedding anniversary

and with their three children having flown the coop,

they feel now is the time to make a serious life change.

This has been a great family home. We have lived here for 18 years. Now is the time to move on.

I've been planning to move in my head for about 35 years,

-but it's only the last two years we have been planning it in earnest, haven't we?

-Yes.

That is really because of the children because they are more settled

and their paths are more or less set out now.

Although Hillary still works part-time as a language teacher,

Joe retired from the police force two years ago,

the catalyst for his desire to make a move to France a reality.

I guess the fear I have got is that we don't do it.

You can always put obstacles in the way as to why you are not

going to move somewhere, but moving to France, getting a nice

property, going out and enjoying life, is absolutely fantastic.

We will never ever do it while we are in Sheffield or while we are in the UK.

But Hillary is the one that will need convincing of the move

as she has a more realistic view of just what an upheaval it could be.

I think Joe has perhaps got a rose-tinted view

of what life will be like living abroad.

I have lived abroad already so I have experienced some of those challenges

and there will be challenges ahead, learning the language.

But we are definitely up for the challenge. We will help each other through it.

Despite her reservations, they can both see the benefits a move to the

Poitou-Charentes could add to their lives.

And the possibility of more hours of sunshine each year means both

Joe and Hillary could embrace their love of the outdoors.

But what are they willing to spend to turn this dream into a reality?

Our budget for the move to France is £350,000 to £500,000.

Hillary and Joe are yet to pinpoint an exact location

within the Poitou-Charentes, so our property search will take us

throughout the region and we are starting in the historic

town of Saintes to learn more about what they are looking for.

Hopefully, we're going to help you find the house of your dreams,

-but also perhaps change your lives forever.

-Fantastic.

Describe to me what your dream home looks like.

Something quite traditional. Something pretty rustic.

Perhaps a bit of land. You've got a bit of a hankering for pigs and chickens, haven't you?

-Yes.

-Joe, tell me little bit more about this.

-My vision is the chateau on the hill.

-Chateau?

I am feeling the pressure already! And the lifestyle?

Somewhere where we can raise a few chickens and pigs.

Perhaps with a separate annexe or a gite of some sort

because that could generate some income to supplement the pension.

-So that business potential when we're looking around the properties.

-That would be really good.

So remind me of your budget. How much have you got to spend?

I am confident you are going to be able to find us

an ideal property for between 350 and £500,000.

-So are you ready to get started?

-Absolutely.

-Can't wait.

Let's begin your journey. Come on.

Joe and Hillary would like to find a traditional French house

that offers them a minimum of three bedrooms.

Ideally, they would also like a separate holiday gite

to rent out to bring in some extra income.

And the outside space needs to fulfil both Hillary's love

of gardening and Joe's aspirations to raise pigs and chickens.

We've lined up three fantastic French properties for them to view.

Our final stop, the mystery house,

offers them something else they definitely won't be expecting.

To begin our search, we're heading to the

east of the region in the heart of the countryside.

With no neighbours to speak of, the house sits two miles

from a pretty little village called Availles-Limouzine.

It is set on the banks of a river where Joe could fish.

And in the rural outskirts of the village, we find our first property.

This, potentially, could be your new home in France. Take a look.

-Wow!

-That is lovely.

-There's a pool!

-That's fantastic.

You have spotted the pool already, have you?

Built around the 19th century.

This part was the barn.

As you can see, you've got another very picturesque barn in front of you.

-And then another one behind.

-It's fantastic.

This looks perfect. Absolutely perfect.

This is exactly what I had in mind.

Only it seems a lot bigger than I thought we would be able to afford.

It's lovely. It's absolutely lovely.

Can you imagine yourself living somewhere like this?

I think I can, yes.

-Shall we start the tour?

-Definitely.

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

-Come on then.

I'm hoping the inside will be as warmly received as the outside.

Shall we start off with the kitchen? I always think it is the best room in the house.

It is the most important room in the house. It's lovely.

Modern but it is not too modern, which is just what I said I wanted.

It's a definite yes from me

and we've only just got into the first room, so it's brilliant.

A good yes from you. I need a yes from you as well, though, don't I?

-I'm sure it will come.

-Let's continue through.

This is something else, isn't it?

-I am literally struggling to take it all in. It is just...

-It's beautiful.

-People talk about the wow factor. This is it.

-This is it. Well, so far.

There is potential with this property,

serious business potential, should you want to take it.

-Shall we go upstairs and I can explain a little bit more?

-That would be great.

The downstairs also includes a spacious centrepiece dining room with an original tiled floor.

But thinking about Joe and Hillary's wish for earning a small income from the property,

I think we've got a good solution for an immediate boost to their finances.

So these are the original stairs of the property.

I mentioned to you about a business proposition.

Downstairs on this side of the house you've got a sitting room,

a utility room, which could easily be converted into a kitchen.

Upstairs on this part, you've got three bedrooms. One is en suite.

You could actually divide the house up and rent all of this out.

-That is interesting.

-Which the owners actually do.

-Fantastic.

-OK.

-Do you like that idea?

-Very much.

I've got something even more important to show you down here.

This side of the house has two large bedrooms, either of which

could be used as a master bedroom as both have an en-suite bathroom.

Here is your bedroom.

-Wow! It's fantastic.

-This is lovely.

-Very nice.

-This is a huge room, isn't it?

-This is lovely.

What are you thinking then?

I've never been as impressed on the first viewing of any property I've ever seen.

I am so delighted. I'm excited for you.

Let's go outside because there is plenty to see out there.

-Let me explain about the layout and I can't forget the pool, can I?

-No.

-I must see the pool.

-If you'd like to follow me.

-OK.

Outside, there are two capacious barns that form the courtyard.

In total, there's around 8,000 square feet of prime gite potential.

Planning permission was granted to convert them.

Although that has now lapsed,

hopefully it shouldn't be a problem to renew.

We were looking for a property for you which obviously did have the wow factor,

but also the possibility of running a business.

And just something for you to consider, the farmhouse, the bit at the very end,

those three bedrooms, they make £10,000 just from that alone.

-You're joking!

-Good grief.

-So if you rent out even more, can you imagine what the income could be?

How much is all of this on the market for?

-475.

-Joe?

-510,000.

How would you feel if I told you the price is just over £408,000?

-You are joking!

-Really?

-You'd get nothing like this back home, would you?

-Nothing at all.

-Nothing at all.

-I'll get my cheque book out now, if you want?!

-I might hold you to that.

Why don't you have another look around? Really explore.

-Enjoy.

-Thank you.

-Thanks very much.

£90,000 under their top budget, this detached property offers five

bedrooms in total, with immediate potential for renting out three

and the possibility to convert two barns into further gites.

There's also a swimming pool

and six acres of land for Joe's plans to raise pigs and chickens.

Well, that was it for our first property. You seen enough?

-Yes. Ready for the next one.

-Let's hit the road.

-OK.

-Brilliant.

The second property in the south-east of the region

is only one mile from a small but well-served village called Brie,

although nothing to do with its namesake, the famous French cheese.

But what makes this location especially appealing

is its proximity to the town of Angouleme.

Only 15 minutes away by car.

Wow.

-Wow!

-It's lovely.

-Fantastic. Very different to the first.

-Very different.

-Pretty.

-It looks lovely. Yes. Like a hidden gem.

The original house dates back to about 1810.

Obviously, adjustments have been made and they have extended, but it has this stunning garden.

-Yes, this is lovely.

-Hillary, you love your gardening.

-I like to potter in the garden, yes.

-So you like the look?

-We do. Yes. We can't wait to get in.

-Come on then.

The garden is a real oasis with mature trees and established

shrubs crammed into every inch of the quarter-acre space.

And opening on to the garden is the living room, where we're starting the tour.

-Wow. This is different.

-Yes.

This is another wow.

I love all the colours.

The greens, pale greens and yellows. It's really nice.

-It has that French feel.

-It does. You're right.

That is just the brief we gave you, really.

-The rustic feel but with the mod cons too.

-It is very nice.

I think you should take me around this house! This is perfect.

Let's see more.

The large and high-ceilinged living room leads to a small

but perfectly serviceable kitchen.

Its size is helped, however, by a separate larder, which the

current owners also use as a laundry room.

So you've got your kitchen area

and that leads through to another dining area. Perhaps more formal.

-This is lovely as well.

-It is.

-Very nice.

You've got a few more additional rooms.

At the moment, they are storage rooms but it would be easy to convert if you wanted to.

Also, there's a garage at the very end.

Potential to make that into accommodation.

-OK. Let's head upstairs.

-Fantastic.

-OK.

On the first floor there are four good-sized bedrooms,

all decorated in the same attractive French style.

There is also a small fifth bedroom, which is currently used as a nursery.

But I'm heading straight to one bedroom in particular,

which showcases a stunning feature.

-Here is your master bedroom.

-Right.

-Very nice.

-It's beautiful.

I think I would change the wallpaper, to be honest.

-It is a really sweet bedroom. Yes, possibly.

-It is quite unusual.

You don't always get wallpaper in French properties

and the owner loves that English look.

-There is wallpaper throughout, actually.

-Right.

Just follow me and look at this view.

Wow!

-Look at that!

-That is incredible.

You certainly don't get that view anywhere else, do you? That is lovely.

I love the fact that we are outside but still covered.

I think it's got lots of potential.

I know that word is overused, but you could do all sorts of things with this area.

I am so pleased you are loving the tour of this house. In fact, I'm delighted.

But I'm going to drag you away from this view.

I've still got something else to show you. We are going to head downstairs to the garden.

Joe, if you want to lead the way, please? Thank you.

They may be impressed already

but what they haven't seen yet is that this property also

offers a lovely swimming pool for Joe and Hillary

to dip their toes when the French summers get too hot.

I can hear chuckles behind me. You've even got your own pool.

You've done it again. That is lovely.

How much do you think this stunning property is on the market for?

-The million-dollar question.

-£385,000.

I'm thinking around about 360.

The asking price is just under £363,000.

-You were spot on.

-A good guess.

So now you know the price, look at those smiles,

do you fancy having an explore on your own

to think about all that potential?

-I think so.

-Go on. Off you go. I will see you in a little while.

At almost £140,000 under the top-end budget,

this property dates back to 1810 and offers five bedrooms,

the potential to convert a three-room gite for added income

and a wonderful mature garden complete with pool.

-I think you two are in your element in this garden, aren't you?

-Yes.

-Have you seen enough?

-Gorgeous, gorgeous.

-Happy?

-It's a beautiful house.

-It's absolutely lovely. Tres bien.

-Tres bien.

Now we've got to hit the road. Come on.

The Poitou-Charentes region in France is a largely rural area

with many of its residents employed in agriculture.

With Joe and Hillary intent on living the good life,

not just in the proverbial but the physical sense too,

we've organised for them to visit a local British couple

to give them a better idea of what life is really like here.

-David and Lorraine made the move to the region five years ago.

-Hello.

-Welcome to The Lodging.

-Thank you very much.

-I understand you've got some things lined up for us to try.

-We do.

-Tell us more, David.

-We have pigs.

-Oh, right.

-Are you interested in pigs?

I've had this crazy dream for quite a few years to have chickens and pigs.

-I guess we'll now see the reality but who knows?

-His face!

-He is so happy.

-I'm excited.

-I can see!

-Enjoy, won't you? I will see you later.

-Bye.

David and Lorraine started pig farming in France when they

were looking for a way of adding to their income during retirement.

They now offer farming holidays with guests helping out

with the 50-strong herd of rare breed Berkshire

and Gloucester old spot pigs.

-This is a three-week-old litter of piglets.

-Aren't they lovely?

-And their mother, Wilma.

-Hello.

How difficult did you find it in France, raising pigs?

There are a few hurdles to go over in terms of getting the right

approval but that doesn't take very long to get sorted out

and then off you go.

What happens to the pigs if you go on holiday?

Well, if we go on holiday we have to go separately.

That is a real commitment then, isn't it?

-That is something you need to take on board.

-Yeah.

But it's not just the realities of pig husbandry that Joe

and Hillary are keen to hear about so sitting down over dinner,

it's a chance to get a bigger picture of what living abroad

is like and what they could expect

should they make the move here permanently.

Let's be honest, how often can we eat outside in the UK?

-Not as much as we would like, is it?

-No.

We are quite fortunate here, aren't we?

When the summer comes it really does hit us.

-Winter, that can be quite sharp.

-Can it?

-Yeah.

It can be very cold in the winter.

January, February, we've been down to minus 15.

-Was that a shock? Did you expect it to be that cold?

-No.

Can you remember when you first moved out,

what actually shocked you, the difference, the changes?

We thought we would come out here

and we thought our pension would go much further than it did.

We have found ways since of eking it out a lot more.

So what would you say the biggest tip,

giving to complete novices going to France, what would that be?

If you are looking to do gites or B&B,

you will get the friends that will come out quite a bit

and you need to tell the friends to put their hands in their pockets.

You know, that is quite important.

Otherwise you become the B&B that doesn't charge.

"Let's go and see Joe and Hillary in France and have a holiday!"

And what about the language?

In your opinion, how important is it if you move here?

Our French was never great when we came here.

-Still isn't, but...

-Still isn't. But we get by.

We have been taking lessons.

But our French neighbours are all really good

and providing you try, they really appreciate it.

David and Lorraine,

thank you so much for sharing your insight into your lives.

Hillary and Joe, how do you feel?

Has this cemented the idea or opened your eyes to something else?

This has been incredibly useful, to hear the reality of it.

Some excellent advice from David and Lorraine.

But if you're interested in moving to France, there are some

obvious differences in the buying process to that of the UK.

The purchase price should include the estate agent's fee

and so is paid by the buyer.

Expect to pay up to 10% of your property's value in fees

and taxes, which are set by the government on a sliding scale

depending on the price and age of the property.

I can't believe how much Joe

has loved every property we have shown him.

So today with our mystery house we have found a property

that has a certain je ne sais quoi and it could offer Joe and Hillary

a source of income they definitely wouldn't have considered before.

The mystery property is situated amongst

the beautiful farmland just to the north of the large town of Niort.

It makes a great launching pad to explore the local waterways

and coast, which is only an hour to the west.

But in the rural outskirts we find our mystery house,

which is the last chance to win Hillary over.

-Come on through.

-Crikey! Flipping heck!

Oh, wow! This is different, isn't it?

-This is our mystery house.

-I'm really intrigued.

-Dating back to the 1400s.

-OK.

Originally monks were believed to have owned this property.

Obviously, it has been updated and converted since then.

-A little bit, yeah.

-But you have this massive expanse of water.

-That is fantastic.

-It is.

Any idea why we might have picked this property for you?

-I was expecting something new.

-Were you?

-Yeah.

-Being the mystery.

Absolutely.

I'm going to get my fishing rod out. That's me sorted. I don't know.

-You are getting close, in actual fact.

-Right.

Because talking about your love of the outdoors, you could

offer fishing holidays, people could rent bikes from you and go cycling.

There are so many cycling paths.

Or if you have a passion for canoeing,

you could rent out canoes from here.

-Lots of possibilities.

-Absolutely.

But this is the house that just keeps giving.

-That's all I'm going to say. Shall we take a look?

-Yes, please!

We chose the mystery house as it offers Joe and Hillary

an alternative business option other than the gite potential

they had asked for but that does, of course, mean a lot more work.

What's more, in the living room there is another income generator

for them to consider.

Talking business opportunities, the waterwheel,

that beautiful half-moon window can also serve a purpose.

If you wanted to, and the owners have looked into this,

-you can convert that into energy, into electricity.

-Oh, right.

That could make you an income of between £6,000

-and £8,000 a year, depending on how much rainfall there has been.

-Yeah.

I like the idea of that. Green energy.

-Hillary, can you see yourself living here?

-I'm not sure, to be honest.

It's just a very grand entrance.

I'm not too sure where we would put the furniture.

For me, getting furniture is the smallest problem, especially

when you've got your budget to play with.

OK. You are probably right.

But if you don't want to do something,

it's a good problem to put in the way.

Furniture, solved. It's a bigger issue.

-So that is what we have to uncover. That issue.

-Right.

-Yes?

Let's continue. Just through here.

Once again, Hillary is holding back despite the money-for-nothing

possibility of the water wheel.

But there is plenty more to see to get them excited.

In all, there are four bedrooms providing plenty of guest accommodation.

Although unusually, the master bedroom

is downstairs, taking full advantage of those wonderful river views.

There is also a decent-sized kitchen

and a large open-plan dining room featuring an enormous fireplace.

But we are making a beeline for the courtyard around the back of the property.

This is the area I wanted to show you

because it has the potential for a third business.

Behind us, we have an empty storage space.

You could convert that into a gite.

If that wasn't enough, you could actually convert that part of the property as well.

You've got the bar room. There is a door going through there.

Two more storage rooms. Huge.

So you could have a second gite along there, should you want to.

With this property offering so much scope, I wonder if the all-important

price could change how Joe and Hillary each view this house.

You might not thank me but I'm going to tell you this comes with land.

-Oh, really?

-Right.

The reason you might not thank me is because there is enough room to have pigs and chickens.

-Oh, yes!

-No!

So you've got five acres in total.

-So this has literally got everything we asked for.

-It has.

So how much is it on the market for?

I think this is at the top of our budget.

I'm going to say £500,000.

I would say maybe 485.

The asking price is just under £513,000.

-Right.

-Right, OK.

Why don't you have some time to look around?

Think of all those opportunities.

The business, whether you just want to get a home,

what's right for the two of you when you make this move.

-Go on. Take some time. Enjoy.

-Thank you.

This 15th-century mill is over budget.

However, with the mystery element being three separate business opportunities,

Joe and Hillary could earn some extra income to balance that.

There is the prospect of the water wheel and the gite potential.

-Happy, you two? Have you seen enough?

-Yes, I think so.

-That's it.

-That is the end of all our house tours.

-OK.

-You've got some thinking to do and some discussions to be had.

-Just a bit.

-Shall we leave now?

-OK.

Joe and Hillary, we've certainly had an experience, haven't we, driving around this region?

Yes. It's been great.

You, Joe, were the one that was desperate to start this adventure, as I'm going to call it.

Hillary, not quite so sure.

I wonder if anything has changed over the last few days?

It has been a real experience seeing all the properties

and I love this area. I am really on that page with you.

I mean, if we do move to France, and I hope we do,

this is the area we want to be in.

It just seems to have everything for us.

-Did we get close with any of the homes that we showed you?

-Yes.

Definitely. The one with the yellow shutters is a definite maybe.

And again, I know Hillary and myself disagree on this,

but for me the mystery house as well has got loads of potential.

Hillary, what about you?

Yes, I still have reservations but you know what, coming here,

it is such a beautiful part of the world.

I have fallen in love with it, actually.

So which one was your favourite property?

My favourite property was the house with the yellow shutters.

So you do agree on one of the properties?

We did at the time and I could tell from his reaction, it was genuine and it mirrored mine.

So what is stopping you from having a look at that property again?

We are already coming back in about six weeks' time, back to this region to have a look around.

We have planned that visit already.

And if I am going to put you on the spot, what is the time limit?

-I think we'll be living in France within the next 12 months.

-Do you?

Yes. Very much so.

I am obviously slightly disappointed we didn't find you that dream home.

But for you, what is it about moving, is it right for you and it seems you have come to a conclusion.

Yes. I think so.

-Thank you very much. It has been an absolute pleasure.

-Thank you.

I'm delighted to report that introducing Joe and Hillary

to the Availles-Limouzine area had a profound effect on them both.

So much so, that they have just had an offer accepted on a house

less than ten miles away from the first property we showed them.

So, we wish them the very best of luck for a bright future in France.

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