Deux Sevres (capital Niort)
Vienne (capital Poitiers)
Charentes (capital Angouleme)
Charentes-Maritime (capital La Rochelle)

Each of the four departments possesses its own regional identity, largely as a result of its geographical location. The westernmost region includes both flat, grain-producing plains and coastal marshland - much of it a protected nature reserve.
Inland to the north lie the celebrated network of tranquil waterways and lush meadow known as the Marais Poitevin, whilst further south the Cognac area is characterised by its wealth of productive vineyards supplying grapes for both the illustrious brandy and its aperitif close relative, Pineau de Charentes.
Elsewhere, in northern Charente and Vienne, for example, you will pass through gently undulating fields of sunflowers, maize, rape and wheat.
Throughout the region, the landscape also features coppiced woodlands of chestnut, oak, cherry, holly and acacia, lending colour throughout the seasons. Here and there, lone mature walnut trees stand like sentinels. The effect, whatever the season, is both beautiful and rich in its variety.

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Paizay Le Tort is a small, typically French village situated in Deux Sevres. It has a Roman church, tennis court, swings and play area for children. There is a very friendly bar/restaurant within walking distance of the house where you can have a drink and a game of pool followed by a reasonably priced meal.
The house is served by a mobile baker bringing fresh bread and croissants daily and a mobile butcher once a week. The village itself is surrounded by three chateaux and the river Berlande runs through the centre. There are some fine walks around the village and surrounding countryside.

You will encounter friendly, welcoming country people, since this is the heart of rural France where agriculture in its many facets is the primary occupation.