When we decided to leave Paris, we were drawn to La Rochelle. Some friends and I decided to move at the same time and we were delighted with our choice. Peace, the ocean, big beautiful trees lining our garden with squirrels and a whole host of birds. And then, eleven kilometres away, the beautiful town of La Rochelle with its superb buildings, lively cultural and sporting life and fascinating history. We didn't make a mistake in choosing here.
This house was the living quarters of a traditional wine estate dating back to the late 17th century, built of white Charentais limestone and round orange tiles. There are still two old fireplaces, a grand staircase, two old stone drinking troughs and an old well. In addition to the main house, we have just finished converting an outbuilding that has a very large loft-apartment style room and an extra bedroom and shower room.
In the 19th century, phylloxera destroyed the vines and the region turned to other forms of agriculture. Our house, attached to a major wine-producing estate, lost its original function and changed its vocation. It then became a 'bourgeois' home for people from La Rochelle wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the countryside. It was the same in the neighbouring villages of Bourgneuf and La Jarrie. We acquired this property in 2024.
We chose this vast old building as we loved the white Charente stone and its garden, where we could build a 25-metre swimming lane, a dream we had long had. On the other side of the small wood that surrounds the house, we are fortunate enough to have an almost private tennis court: a recently refurbished municipal tennis court, which is free and open to all, most of all to our guests. There is also a children's playground next to the tennis court, which is also open to the public. And for those who prefer lounging, they can enjoy the peace and quiet that reigns over the property.
For coffee, bread and the morning papers, there is the Bourgneuf café, a 20-minute walk across the fields. From Fouras, it is lovely to take an early evening stroll along the coastal path south of the town to the Charente estuary, where many birds come to migrate and breed; and even further south, to walk around the Ile Madame, which is accessible to walkers at low tide. Our favourite beaches are Châtelaillon and Fouras. On the island of Oléron, the Gatseau and Les Huttes beaches are immense and bordered by a beautiful pine forest. On the Route d'Oléron, just before the bridge, the “Gillardeau” has the best oysters in the region. For food in La Rochelle we like: "La Maison du Curry”, the “Mamie Bégaud” crêperie near the market, “La Boussole” and “Le France 1”, a seafood bar on a boat. The wonderful "Pizza Bonne Pâte", which has a large terrace in a pretty central square. “La Perla" pizzeria, 200 metres from our house. The markets in La Rochelle (Wednesday and Saturday mornings) and Châtellaillon (Tuesdays and Fridays) are very lively, well-stocked and lined with cafés and restaurants. The market in Fouras is on Thursday mornings (with a wonderful fish market) and the market in Rochefort is on Saturday mornings, with many small local producers. In Royan, the Gironde estuary, in Marennes the beach (with another excellent Gillardeau restaurant), and right next door there is Brouage, a harbour town fortified by Vauban, a charming, authentic village. Visit the Poitevin marshes by boat from the Lidon pier with Samuel, a local man with a passion for the marshes, who will tell you all about ten centuries of their history.
The 100 m2 on the ground floor has a large entrance hall with a toilet, a large fully-equipped kitchen overlooking the greenery on either side, and a vast 60 m2 living room with a study area, sofa/TV area, games area and music area. There are four bedrooms upstairs. The guest house is next to the main house, which is also used as a pool house, with a large loft apartment-style room, a shower room, a toilet and a small bedroom upstairs. A carport and covered garage provide sheltered parking for two cars. The garden covers 2 200 m2.
ref 533812
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