Poitou-Charentes is located in the central western part of France. The region comprises the four departments of Charente, Charante-Maritime, Deux-Sevres and Vienne. The regional capital is Poitiers. Agriculturally, the region focuses on the farming of wheat, corn and cattle while industrially it produces machinery, chemicals and dairy products.

The Atlantic coastal region of Charante-Maritime is attractive to Parisians, Britons and other Europeans looking to purchase second homes. The area boasts the second best climate in France with loads of sunshine all year round and relatively mild winters. The islands of Ile de Re and Ile d'Oleron as well as the lovely coastal town of La Rochelle are particularly popular attractions of the region. Two airports and the high-speed TGV rail link to Paris have added to the popularity of the area due to the relative ease with which it can now be accessed.

Due to the ongoing popularity of the country's coastal regions, property prices in the maritime department of Charante-Maritime are likely to continue to rise in the future making it a good area for investment. In other parts of the region land can be purchased at bargain prices of between € 9,500 and € 11,500 for a 1600 sq.m. plot of land. Buildings such as apartments and barns in need of renovation can also be acquired at prices of between €15,000 and € 25,000.