New development spotlight: luxury detached villas in Charente-Maritime

If you’re looking for a new development that offers flexibility in terms of personal use and rental income, this four-bedroom residence in sunny Charente-Maritime could be ideal

For those seeking a new-build property in France there are various options, from a pure investment such as a leaseback property with no personal usage, to a classic purchase property with no rental income. If you want something in between, which offers flexibility when it comes to deciding how much time you want to spend in your property and how much you wish to rent it out, La Forêt d’Armotte, a new development in Poitou-Charentes, might tick all the boxes.

Located 500 metres from the centre of the village of St-Augustin-sur-Mer, which is situated halfway between Bordeaux and La Rochelle – handy for airports – this boutique residence comprises 20 four-bedroom villas, each south-facing with its own garden, terrace, pool and jacuzzi.

The properties can be used as a second home, a permanent residence or as a rental property. An on-site management company takes care of everything from rentals to maintenance and repairs, and what’s more, if you choose the rental option, you receive a 20% discount (€45,800) on the sale price.

The energy-efficient, fully furnished villas have all mod cons including electric shutters, heated towel rails, flatscreen TVs and wifi, with a bathroom for every bedroom and fitted kitchens. Large French windows open onto the terrace and pool, shaded by a wooden pergola. As with all new homes in France, they come with a 10-year building guarantee.

On-site facilities include a reception, tennis and pétanque, and there are plenty more activities on offer nearby, including horse-riding, hiking, sailing and trail biking. Just a few minutes away you’ll find sandy beaches and an international golf course, while the popular resorts of St-Palais-sur-Mer and Royan are 5km and 8km away, and the attractions of Bordeaux, La Rochelle, and the islands of Ré and Oléron are also within easy reach.

Surrounded by tranquil forests, the traditional village of St-Augustin-sur-Mer has a bakery, tabac, antiques and ceramics shops, two supermarkets, delicatessen, restaurant/bar, doctor’s surgery, hairdressers and a church. The nearest beach is La Plage de la Grande Côte, where a number of restaurants often serve seafood as their dish of the day – there can’t be many better ways to spend a lazy afternoon than drinking a crisp white wine while eating freshly caught lobster or mussels.