Located to be easily accessible to the UK and a doorway to other parts of Europe, the Charente is a hidden gem in France. The French have long used the Charente for their holidays and for maison secondaires affording them a country escape from city life. The French appreciate the microclimate that offers them the second sunniest region in France without the hustle and bustle of the cote d’azur. The Charente is timeless with its wealth of prehistoric, mediaeval and Roman attractions. It is truly the culture of old France where traditions are kept alive and the artisan’s techniques and trades have been witnessed for centuries in the market squares. The Charente is also at the heart of French agriculture with its endless undulating countryside providing the fine quality meats and cheeses for which France is famous.