Detached bungalow in good condition!
EUR 107,000
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Ideal Country Retreat
EUR 159,500
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Beautiful property in the town centre of Pons!
EUR 315,000
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A pilgrim’s town
The town of Pons, which lies in the lovely rolling countryside of the Charente-Maritime in western France, once had a very important role to play in the journeys of many pilgrims who were following their faith to Compostela. The town had a pilgrims’ hospital which offered sanctuary and rest to the pilgrims who passed through the gates of the town, and this building remains today, as one of the few remaining examples of its type. It is considered so important that it has been officially recognised as a world heritage site.
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A beautiful chateau with a mystery…
Pons also has a vast and beautiful chateau, the Château des Enigmes, and a very imposing “donjon” (keep). The keep, at 30 metres high, provides a wonderful vantage point from which there are panoramic views of the Vallée de la Seigne. Fields of sunflowers and vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, and even the climb to the top seems worthwhile when you can enjoy views such as these! The Château des Enigmes lives up to its name. There is a puzzle here to be solved… make a day of it and learn something about history and culture too! You can always set the scene by taking a look on the website too (www.chateau-enigmes.com) which explains (in French) the raison d’etre of the place.
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Activities on offer in Pons
Pons has plenty for the very young to do. At the south end of the town there is an excellent play area, at the Centre des Loisirs, and it is also possible to hire boats here too, to better enjoy the river. The town hall is another source of pleasure, as it has very pretty and well maintained gardens. Take a walk around and enjoy.
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Dining out in Pons
Dining out in Pons is an experience to savour, as the town has some very good restaurants. Perhaps the most notable, for a fine dining experience is the Hotel Bordeaux, which offers gourmet fare and excellent service for a price that is considerably less than you might expect. After your meal, you may wish to take a glass or two of the excellent Cognac, which is the regions’ finest and most famous product, or perhaps you could enjoy a taste of pineau, which is a mixture of Cognac and wine, and is a speciality of the area.
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Sports and shopping
Those who enjoy a little retail therapy will find there is plenty to occupy and interest them in Pons, as the town has some large supermarkets and also some smaller boutiques and curiosity shops. Sports fans too, will find no shortage of things to do. There are four superb golf courses accessible from the town, at Saintes, Cognac Royan and Bordeaux. Jonzac, just half an hour distant, has an excellent water park, and there is a zoo at Palmyre. Also available locally are horse-riding, walking, karting and fishing. Remember too, that although Pons is not a coastal town, it is only a short drive from the fabulous Atlantic coast and the wildlife haven of the Gironde Estuary just to the south.
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How to get there
Bordeaux and La Rochelle both offer direct flights to and from the UK from a variety of airports in Britain. You can fly to La Rochelle with Ryanair, easyJet and flybe, or to Bordeaux with British Airways, flybe, bmibaby, Aer Lingus and easyJet. The high speed train, the TGV, will take you to Angoulême or to Bordeaux, and you can link to this from Eurostar.
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Property prices and availability in and around Pons
The price of property in the Gironde, just to the south of Pons, tends to be very high, so if you love the area but not the prices then take close look at what is on offer in and around Pons instead. Prices here are lower, generally, (although they are on the rise as a result of increasing interest in the area from foreign buyers) and can represent a good investment opportunity. There is a variety of property for sale in and close to Pons, with the Charantaise long houses at a premium due to their high desirability. It is still possible (although only just!) to find properties ripe for conversion.
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AGENTS WITH PROPERTY IN THIS AREA |
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