| For all your property needs in the Charente and throughout the wider Region of South West France talk to John West, a design and property professional with almost a decade of experience in this lovely vine-growing Region of France. John trained as an Architect at the Oxford School of Architecture in the mid seventies and since coming to live permanently in France in early 2002 has created a successful range of property businesses including a Search & Renovation registered property company and has obtained his 'carte professionel' as an independent immobilier sales agent and contract negotiator, working in close partnership with Leggetts . John has helped many happy clients settle in The Charente and is always pleased to share his knowledge and experience. |
some design sketches
from recent projects
from recent projects
Charente Gems sarl
siret reg. 483 022 679
siret reg. 483 022 679
carte agent immobilier
siret reg. 483 031 241
siret reg. 483 031 241
Legal & Registration info
Accountants
Notaire
Groupe Experte Conseil
Soyaux
Soyaux
Maitre Philip Glaudet
Angouleme
Angouleme
| Professional Endorsements and Client Feedback |
"I would like to say what a thoroughly
enjoyable afternoon you gave us. Of all
the estate agents we've so far met you
stand head and shoulders above them
all. I wouldn't hesitate in contacting you
again over a property or recommending
you to another person."
Graham M. - Oct 2010
enjoyable afternoon you gave us. Of all
the estate agents we've so far met you
stand head and shoulders above them
all. I wouldn't hesitate in contacting you
again over a property or recommending
you to another person."
Graham M. - Oct 2010
"John West took very good care of us.
We hadn't realized the time it takes and
the distances between places and got a
bit overwhelmed. But John was like a
walking history book and told us many
interesting things. And then there were
the cats.... (if you ask him about that
he'll probably go: the CATS... and roll
his eyes LOL) "
Karen B - from swizerland - Sept 2009
We hadn't realized the time it takes and
the distances between places and got a
bit overwhelmed. But John was like a
walking history book and told us many
interesting things. And then there were
the cats.... (if you ask him about that
he'll probably go: the CATS... and roll
his eyes LOL) "
Karen B - from swizerland - Sept 2009
Charente Gems, La Grange de la Lissiere, Les Ferrieres, 16170 Gourville France
| Trevor Leggett Chairman - Leggett Immobilier |
| Graham Downie Director FrenchEntree Property Finders |
"John has been a great partner for us as a
Commercial Agent as well as an
experienced and very competent Project
Manager. John has been in the Charente
for a long time and his experience and
local knowledge are of the highest level
… a very useful chap to know."
Commercial Agent as well as an
experienced and very competent Project
Manager. John has been in the Charente
for a long time and his experience and
local knowledge are of the highest level
… a very useful chap to know."
"Angouleme - what a crowded market
place - with nigh on 100 agencies to
choose from. My favourite for sure is John
West of Leggett Immobilier. He's a trained
architect and a true professional. When I
view houses with him I tend to stand back
and listen as he can spot things in an
instant that it would take me a week to
come up with."
place - with nigh on 100 agencies to
choose from. My favourite for sure is John
West of Leggett Immobilier. He's a trained
architect and a true professional. When I
view houses with him I tend to stand back
and listen as he can spot things in an
instant that it would take me a week to
come up with."
Contact Us by Email
some useful general information websites
| You can reach John on 00 33 545 96 42 50 during normal office hours ( answerphone if unavailable : 24/7 ) |
It’s all a question of terminology. In a bid to enhance its image and attract people both inside and outside its borders, the
Charente has decided to use the word ‘vintage’ to describe itself. A vast array of badges, posters and leaflets will be used
to get over the message of just how ‘vintage’ our department is. We need to be clear here; this borrowed word has to be
pronounced the English way. Even the merest hint of a French pronunciation would immediately destroy the desired effect.
Instead of conveying an idea of timelessness and quality, it would simply suggest a department of country bumpkins. So
what are the Charente’s vintage qualities? It’s a place that is delightfully old-fashioned, not terribly sophisticated, and whose
essential ingredients include good food, the land, its old stone buildings and a fine climate. The essence and excellence of
the ‘vintage charentais’ can be found equally well in a glass of cognac, the rolling green pastures of the Charente Limousine
or the old stone-built villages one finds around Ruffec. It’s a quality that permeates throughout the area, one that the British
appreciate – but which is too often ignored by the French. For if the Charentais are borrowing an English word to sell the
departments image, that is being done first and foremost to convince their fellow citizens that the delights of the Charente
transcend mere passing fashions. Something the British have understood for some time.
Jean-Louis HERVOIS, Editor – Charente Libre.
Charente has decided to use the word ‘vintage’ to describe itself. A vast array of badges, posters and leaflets will be used
to get over the message of just how ‘vintage’ our department is. We need to be clear here; this borrowed word has to be
pronounced the English way. Even the merest hint of a French pronunciation would immediately destroy the desired effect.
Instead of conveying an idea of timelessness and quality, it would simply suggest a department of country bumpkins. So
what are the Charente’s vintage qualities? It’s a place that is delightfully old-fashioned, not terribly sophisticated, and whose
essential ingredients include good food, the land, its old stone buildings and a fine climate. The essence and excellence of
the ‘vintage charentais’ can be found equally well in a glass of cognac, the rolling green pastures of the Charente Limousine
or the old stone-built villages one finds around Ruffec. It’s a quality that permeates throughout the area, one that the British
appreciate – but which is too often ignored by the French. For if the Charentais are borrowing an English word to sell the
departments image, that is being done first and foremost to convince their fellow citizens that the delights of the Charente
transcend mere passing fashions. Something the British have understood for some time.
Jean-Louis HERVOIS, Editor – Charente Libre.
WHY IS THE CHARENTE SUCH A GEM ? ....... Read what the Editor of our Local Newspaper has to say
SEARCH & RENOVATE - A UNIQUE SERVICE
from Charente Gems click here
CHARENTE GEMS is happy to support the following business websites
After a very hectic couple of months
things are finally settling down now, and
I have managed a couple of trips to
France. A huge and sincere thank you
again for the fabulous service and
support you gave in finding and
purchasing my property. Your
knowledge and enthusiasm made the
whole process far less stressful and
much more enjoyable.
Claire P. - Feb 2011
things are finally settling down now, and
I have managed a couple of trips to
France. A huge and sincere thank you
again for the fabulous service and
support you gave in finding and
purchasing my property. Your
knowledge and enthusiasm made the
whole process far less stressful and
much more enjoyable.
Claire P. - Feb 2011