This is one of those delightful bustling little old towns, with much of its architecture dating from the 15th to the early 19ht century, in this case with the added advantage that it is in the Deux-Sèvres department, part of Nouvelle Aquitaine. Although a town, it is in a beautiful rural setting and only a short way from the Atlantic coast. A fine abbey dominates the town’s skyline.There is a thriving farmer’s market which attracts both locals and tourists alike and the goat’s cheese is among the best you can buy.
Access
Activities
La Sevre River runs through the town, but in this case through parkland .to the south of the town centre. There are language schools in the area for those who want to seriously enter into French culture.
Food and Drink
There are of course many excellent French restaurants, but for the desperate the Auberge de l’Etoile D’Or in Villefagnan, as well as it’s usual fare ( 10 euros for lunch) offers cod, chips and mushy peas on the first Friday of the month and is a good place to meet a few Brits. The locals however prefer snails, goats cheese, sea food and dishes in which Cognac is an ingredient.
Restaurants
- Le Nagdalena, 24 imp Essarts, 79400 St Maixent l’Ecole, Tel no: 05 49 05 77 15, 14€
- Le Patio,La Plaine d’Azia, 79400 Azay le Brûlé, Tel no: 05 49 06 98 97, 15€
Our advice is sort yourself out a helpful bi-lingual estate agent such as Sextant Properties. We know the area better than any Brit, can take on visits and even get documents translated free of charge as part of their service. Do make an appointment and do keep it. You won’t regret it.