Taking its name from the 800-mile long river that runs through it, the Pays de la Loire region covers five departments: Loire-Atlantique (44), Mayenne (53), Sarthe (72), Maine-et-Loire (49) and Vendee (85). A department is similar to a UK or U.S. county.
The Loire-Atlantique and Vendee have lovely harbours and sandy beaches, while inland, the Loire valley has beautiful rolling countryside, fairytale chateaux, and vineyards producing some of the best wines anywhere.
The primary towns are Nantes, Angers, Le Mans, Laval, Cholet, and La Roche-sur-Yon.
Location hot spots that attract expats include the areas around Saumur (including Montreuil-Bellay, Fontevraud l’Abbaye, and Doue-la-Fontaine), Chateaubriant, Mayenne (specifically the Gorron area), and the ever-popular Vendee (Fontenay-le-Comte, Vouvant, and La Chataigneraie).
The Loire is a thriving region with a strong local economy. There are several well-established industrial and agricultural businesses: Cholet exports designer clothes to the world, Saint-Nazaire builds transatlantic liners and cruise ships, Nantes has booming IT and financial services fields, the region supplies produce to all of France, and some of the vintners have had exports increase by 340% due to increased demand from emerging economies, such as China. Tourism is also a big earner as travellers from other parts of France and from across the world come to explore this fantastic region.
Although property prices in the Loire have risen steadily over recent years, there are still bargains to be had. A quick perusal of the estate agent’s windows will show that you can pick up a renovation project for €30,000 to €40,000, and you can buy a decent 3-bedroom detached house for €100,000 – €120,000. Going up to the €180,000 – €200,000 range will get you a large house in excellent condition with a good-sized garden, and perhaps an orchard or a bit of land.
Land is quite reasonable in the Pays de la Loire and many rural properties come with much larger gardens than in the UK. As expected, town or village centre properties may have a patio or a small garden.
Of course, the most popular areas will be the most expensive. But, even if you’re determined to live in a “des res”, you’ll get more for your money here than in the UK.
A range of property styles are available in the Pays de la Loire, from stone-built longeres (long houses) to village townhouses to elegant chateaux, and everything in between.
The new build constuction field is active (but not excessively so), so if you prefer a new house they are available, but be prepared to pay more for it as these are popular with the French.
In the north part of the Pays de la Loire region, you will find traditional stone-built houses and longeres and barn conversions, as well as the cream-coloured new builds, while houses in the Vendee have a more Mediterranean feel with stucco and red-tiled roofs.
The Pays de la Loire has good air and train links, and is about three or four hours drive from the ferry and Eurotunnel terminals.
As the Loire is popular with holidaymakers, you may be able to rent out a property here, thus generating a return on your investment.
By: David Morrison
Posts Tagged ‘Loire Valley’
Pays De La Loire Property For Sale: An Expert Guide To This Stunning Part Of France
January 16th, 2010Go Ahead and Spoil Yourself – Rent a Castle in the Majestic Loire Valley in France
November 24th, 2009What child reading about fairytale castles in Europe doesn’t dream of being a handsome prince or beautiful princess, being waited on hand and foot and living a life of complete romantic luxury. Now you are an adult, you can realise this childhood fantasy by renting a luxury Loire Valley chateau for your next vacation. Here you can totally relax and unwind and feel like royalty.
The Loire Valley is one of France’s best kept secrets, located some 200km south of Paris. The Loire River is over 1000 kilometres long and it is the longest last wild river of Europe.
The Loire Valley is actually France’s third most popular tourist destination after Paris and the French Riviera. But the Loire Valley is so vast, that families return year after year and never tire of its many attractions. It has something to offer every tourist.
Firstly it is famous for its renaissance chateaux: town chateaux like Chateau Blois and Chateau Amboise, Chateau Usse the original inspiration for Sleeping Beauty, Chateau Cheverney with the best collection of furniture in the Loire Valley and Herge’s inspiration for mythical Moulinsart from the Tin Tin cartoon, Chateau Chenonceau spanning across the River Cher mirroring her beauty, Chateau Chambord the largest hunting lodge in the world
Francois I was not content with just Chateau Blois and Chateau Amboise as his residence, he commissioned Chateau du Chambord the largest chateau in the Loire Valley as a mere hunting lodge. It took 20 years to build and then he spent only seven weeks there hunting.
Then there are also Chateau Chaumont with its incredible summer long international contemporary garden festival, and Chateau Villandry with its famous gardens. If you need inspiration for a vegetable garden you must visit Chateau Villandry.
Gardening in the Loire Valley takes on a mystical quality, and even Mick Jagger, gyrating thick lipped lead singer of the Rolling Stones who has his preferred second residence, a 16th chateau he purchased 26 years ago called La Fourchette at Pose-sur-Cisse near Amboise, is a keen gardener. Artistic historian John Richardson says of Mick Jagger and his new walled garden “he became completely part of the garden, knew every single thing about all the plants, the flowers, the way the fruit trees were espaliered”.
Fans of Leonard Da Vinci can visit Chateau Clos Luce and admire his bedrooms, kitchen, salons and the chapel and see frescoes painted by his pupils. His paintings and drawings are set out in the park of the castle with giant models of the most incredible machines he invented with voice-overs of Leonardo da Vinci and his disciple Melzi.
There is so much more to the Loire Valley than turrets, towers, topiaries and tapestries. The Touraine region also has the reputation for being the region where the best French is spoken in the world.
The Loire Valley is also a popular destination for followers of the Knights Templar and Holy Grail because of its close association with Leonardo Da Vinci and because it is so seeped in history.
The combination of vineyards and chateaux make the Touraine region of the Loire Valley an incredible destination for any wine lover and his or her family. The Loire Valley really is the most beautiful wine region in the world.
The Loire is France’s last great unrecognized wine region. The Val de Loire wine area is located south west of Paris typically a little over 2 hours drive from the Paris peripherique and extending out as far as Nantes. It is a region blessed with rich soil and a gentle climate, allowing for the production of diverse appellations with vast degrees of character.
Some of France’s best winemaking occurs in the Loire though few Americans are aware of it. Even many French are unaware of some of the gems now being produced in the Loire Valley. No other wine region in France welcomes visitors with such warmth or simplicity. Sommeliers, wine-shop and wine-bar owners, the wine press from Brussels, London, Paris and Tokyo in the know spend their vacations visiting the Loire Valley.
White wines of the Loire Valley typically improve with being aged from five to fifteen years depending upon the vintage and the AOC. A new bottle of French Loire Valley white wine may be fine, but a properly aged bottle is even better.
Then there is the food. French cuisine is famous and flourishing in the Loire Valley. Little village bistros whip up amazing dishes at incredibly cheap prices. Goat’s cheese is a speciality. The local produce is divine. And the glorious local food is best accompanied with a glass or two of Loire Valley wine.
The Loire Valley is especially well-appointed for two wheels because of the gentle gradients and intricate network of back roads that are refreshingly free of motorised traffic. The Loire et Velo track is heaven for cyclists.
The Loire Valley offers everything the travelling golfer requires. If you are a golfer and you bring your clubs you will not be handsomely rewarded.
In France there are 280,000 registered golfers for 340 courses. This translates into lots of available tee times and no crowds on a course. Many golf courses are designed around magnificent chateaux. The finest course in the region, is Les Bordes near Chateau Chambord, consistently ranked in the top five of France’s best courses.
This fine relaxed living is one of the reasons why Mick Jagger holidays at his chateau every summer. With his wealth and his connections he could holiday anywhere.
Don’t just visit a french castle – rent a castle in France and truly experience the grandeur of living in a castle in France. You will be absolutely amazed.
By: Corina Clemence
Your Guide to Holidays in France
November 21st, 2009Did you know that you can do or learn almost anything on holiday in France? Whether you yearn for thrills and spills, a retreat from the world, new skills and hobbies, theme parks and family fun or a spot of gourmet indulgence, it seems that the vast choice of French activity holidays can offer something for just about all ages and tastes.
For sporty types, there’s mountain biking in the rugged Pyrenees, horse riding in beautiful Languedoc Roussillon or lawn bowls in The Dordogne. Here you’ll find the only full-size bowling green in France, shared with the local bowls club. If you want to learn or practice archery, then independent travel specialist French Connections lists an elegant chateau in the glamorous Loire valley that offers both archery and archery hunting. They also list properties with private tennis courts or fully equipped gyms and the majority have private pools.
Anyone who needs to de-stress from a busy lifestyle can nourish body and spirit at a yoga retreat amidst peaceful Breton meadows and woodland or learn tai chi in a sunkissed southern hilltop village. Massage, beauty treatments, aqua detox and even lifestyle makeovers with advice on diet and exercise all take a holistic approach to your holiday in France.
We all feel good for releasing our creativity and on holidays in France you can take a course in pottery, ceramics, literature, drama, woodturning, photography or painting. It’s a great opportunity to exchange ideas and the people, places, buildings and markets of France will never leave you short of inspiring subjects. Prefer to learn the language? An immersion course can help you speak French like a native and a spot of shopping therapy becomes the chance to perfect your accent!
Food and wine fans are fed with specialist holidays in gourmet dining, French cooking and tours of vineyards in the country’s great wine regions. Tasting is included, of course.
By: Glynis Shaw
