Val de Loire, Centre France - A Place in the Sun

2021 / Val de Loire, Centre France Jasmine Harman on 21 September 2021

Val de Loire, Centre France Jasmine Harman

John and Cathrine from Yorkshire have four grown up children between them, as well as four dogs. They met each other in a pub 9 years ago through a mutual friend. Having sold their house in the UK, they have a budget of £100,000 for a permanent home, either with rooms or outbuildings which they can let to holiday makers. They’ve chosen the Central Loire Valley as the place to do this despite never having been there before… and they’re hoping that Jasmine will be able to use all her expertise to find them their dream property.

What happened next? Watch our catch up interview with John and Cathrine to find out!

Val de Loire

About the area

The Central Loire Valley, right in the middle of France, is fairly easy to get to - it’s about five hours drive from Calais, or you can fly into Tours or Poitiers in less than two hours from a number of UK airports. Named after France’s longest river, which runs right through the middle of the region, the Loire Valley is steeped in tradition and culture – former inhabitants include Leonardo da Vinci and a number of French kings and queens. The climate here is the second sunniest in the whole of France; its average temperatures are 5-10 degrees higher than in the UK, with 40% more hours of sunshine. It enjoys mild winters and warm summers that aren’t too muggy.

Property 1

Two-bed house in Anjouin

This farmhouse has a very large back garden. Inside, there’s a cosy traditional living room, a kitchen-diner and a family bathroom downstairs and a bright & airy main and 2nd bedroom upstairs. There are also several outbuildings which could be converted into holiday lets. Find out more here.

Valued at £83,086 at the time of filming.

Property 2

Five-bed house in St. Plantaire

This former B&B has a decent amount of space to the side of the main house, including a double garage and a huge garden at the back. Inside, there is a bright & airy kitchen with adjoining utility room, separate dining room and separate lounge, as well as 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Visit the estate agent's website here.

Valued at £90,081 at the time of filming.

Property 3

Three-bed house in Chaillac

This three-bed house comes with half an acre of back garden, as well as two outbuildings which surround an enclosed private garden. Inside the main house includes a bright and airy living and dining room and three spacious bedrooms. The ground floor, which could be converted into a gite, consists of a large living area, a hot tub room and storage space. Find out more here.

Valued at £107,909 at the time of filming.

Property 4

Three-bed house in Écueillé

This detached house comes with a large garden with a patio area. Inside, there is an open-plan kitchen-diner, two living rooms and three bedrooms sharing one bathroom. There are also several outbuildings with potential to be converted into extra accommodation. See more from the estate agent here.

Valued at £99,081 at the time of filming.

Property 5

Two-bed house in Lignac

This characterful house has a good-size garden, which includes an outdoor dining area. Inside comes with a bright and airy kitchen-diner and two decent size bedrooms, and there is a separate gite behind the main house with a further three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen-diner and living room with wood burning stove. Visit the estate agent's website here.

Valued at £99,081 at the time of filming.

Hot property

Six-bed chateau in Le Blanc

This chateau, nestled in the Brenne National Park near the town of Le Blanc, is surrounded by more than 50 acres of woodland. It has been beautifully renovated inside and comes with six bedrooms, six bathrooms, an additional apartment and some stunning views of the surrounding area. See more from the agent here.