Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France's largest region — a vast arc of countryside stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Pyrenean foothills, from the Cognac vineyards of the Charente to the medieval bastides of the Dordogne and the surf beaches of the Landes. UK buyers look here for direct flights from several UK airports, a warm summer climate, and regional food and wine.

Quick answer: Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France's largest region, stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Pyrenean foothills. This guide covers its departments, the property types found there, how to get there, and the buying process.

The Departments of Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Nouvelle-Aquitaine encompasses twelve departments, each with a distinct character and price point. For UK buyers, active markets include:

Charente

The Charente is a department that many British buyers look at — golden limestone villages, cognac country, rolling agricultural landscape and property at a range of prices. Angoulême has a TGV connection to Paris in under 2 hours. Maisons de maître, character farmhouses and country houses with land and outbuildings are available across a very wide price range. Browse Charente property under €200,000 or under €300,000.

Dordogne (Périgord)

The Dordogne is a department that attracts international buyers — prehistoric valley landscapes, cliff-top medieval villages, Bergerac airport with year-round UK flights. The property range spans stone farmhouses at modest prices to grand riverside châteaux. Properties with gîte and pool are also listed. See Dordogne property under €200,000.

Charente-Maritime

Charente-Maritime combines Atlantic coastline with rural inland countryside. The Île de Ré, Île d'Oléron and La Rochelle are well-known coastal destinations; inland, the Saintonge area has character property. See pool properties in Charente-Maritime and coastal properties.

Haute-Vienne and Corrèze (Limousin)

The former Limousin departments — Haute-Vienne and Corrèze — offer rural property at more affordable price levels. Limoges airport provides direct UK connections. Private fishing lakes, wooded estates and stone farmhouses attract buyers who prioritise space and tranquillity over proximity to the coast.

Deux-Sèvres and Vienne

Deux-Sèvres and the Vienne sit at the northern edge of the region — quiet, affordable, with TGV connections from Niort and Poitiers that put Paris within 90 minutes.

What to Buy

Nouvelle-Aquitaine's property market spans every type and price band. Types of property found in the region include:

  • Farmhouses and maisons de campagne — a traditional rural French property, typically in stone with land, outbuildings and rural setting. Found in the Charente, Dordogne and Haute-Vienne.
  • Maisons de maître — the formal stone manor houses of the rural bourgeoisie, typically 4–7 bedrooms with formal garden. Concentrated in Charente and Charente-Maritime.
  • Properties with gîte and pool — a main house with a separate holiday cottage and a swimming pool. Found across the region.
  • Water mills — properties with direct water access, found in the Charente and Dordogne river valleys.
  • Châteaux and prestige properties — Nouvelle-Aquitaine has a number of historic châteaux. Browse châteaux for sale.

Getting There

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is reached from the UK by several routes. Key routes:

  • Bergerac Airport — direct flights from UK airports throughout the year, serving the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne
  • Limoges Airport — UK connections serving Haute-Vienne and northern Dordogne
  • Bordeaux Airport — wide European connections, TGV to Paris in 2 hours
  • La Rochelle Airport — seasonal UK flights serving Charente-Maritime
  • Angoulême TGV station — Paris in under 2 hours, serving the Charente

The Buying Process

Buying property in France as a UK buyer follows a well-regulated process: verbal offer, compromis de vente (binding contract with 10-day cooling-off period), notaire due diligence period, and final signing at the acte authentique. The buyer pays frais de notaire (notaire fees and transfer taxes) of approximately 7–8% on older properties, on top of the purchase price. For a full guide, see How to Buy Property in France.

Our team has been active in Nouvelle-Aquitaine since 2008 with agents on the ground across the Charente, Dordogne and surrounding departments. To discuss what is available in your target area, or to arrange a verbal valuation on a specific property, please contact us.