IN TODAY'S ISSUE #5
(See past issues here)
📍 Hidden Gem: Niort — a riverside town of dragons, markets, and medieval charm.
🏡 Affordable Find: Two houses, a pool, and income potential — all for €350,000. And a furnished apartment in central Niort for €750/mo.
🎓 Workshops + Webinars: Two sessions coming in September — my TMB hike stories and an expert session on running a gîte.
📺 France Must-Watch: From Niort’s hidden gems 🏰 to a weekend in Deux-Sèvres 🌳.
👋 Personal Update
As you read this, I'm high in the French Alps on the Tour du Mont Blanc trail. It's hard to believe that just a year ago I had a total hip replacement.
I put it off for ages, telling myself: "I'm too young to have that kind of surgery!" But my doctor was insistent: If your quality of life is suffering, why wait? If it’s fixable now, get it fixed and get back to living.
Let’s just say I’m glad he convinced me. Even though the surgery cost about $10,000 (and I have decent insurance!), today I’m climbing mountains again.
Let’s get into it –
📍HIDDEN GEM - Niort, Deux-Sèvres
Welcome to Niort, the capital of the Deux-Sèvres department in western France.
Straddling the Sèvre Niortaise River, Niort has long been a trading hub—once famous for leather and textiles, today it’s known as the "Silicon Valley of mutual insurance."
Stroll through its medieval streets and you’ll find the striking twin towers of the Donjon de Niort (built by Henry II and Richard the Lionheart), vibrant markets, and the gentle canals of the nearby Marais Poitevin—nicknamed the "Green Venice."
The city is just 50 minutes from the Atlantic Coast, with La Rochelle’s beaches and seafood calling.
Trains from Niort connect easily to Paris (about 2 hours) and other regional cities.
The vibe? Big enough for great amenities, small enough for a relaxed pace.
Best part: Niort is affordable. Housing prices here are a fraction of coastal hotspots, making it attractive for retirees who want urban comforts without Paris prices.
📍 Fast Facts: Niort
🚉 Train Station: Gare de Niort — 2h to Paris (direct TGV)
✈️ Nearest Airport: La Rochelle (50 min drive)
🏥 Nearest Hospital: Centre Hospitalier de Niort — in town
🛍️ Amenities: 🛒 Grocery 🥖 Bakeries 🍷 Wine bars 🌳 Greenways 🎭 Theatre & concerts
👣 Walkability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Compact center, flat terrain, great for daily needs
🧺 Weekly Market: Yes, several — notably at Place des Halles
🌦️ Climate: Mild oceanic; warm summers, cool but not harsh winters
*Anything underlined is clickable 🔗
🏠 AFFORDABLE FINDS
✨ Two Houses + Pool in a Peaceful Village – €350,000 ($380,000)
This beautifully renovated character property near Lezay comes with two houses, an in-ground pool, gardens, covered terraces, and multiple outbuildings—including a barn perfect for an art studio.
The main house boasts a soaring kitchen/dining room, cozy living areas with wood-burning stoves, and space to add even more bedrooms.
The second house is move-in ready and fully furnished—ideal for guests or rental income. All this, tucked at the end of a quiet lane just 5 km from Lezay’s lively weekly market.
✨ Apartment in Central Niort – €750/month ($820)
For retirees who want low-maintenance living in the heart of town, this bright, furnished 2-bedroom apartment near Place de la Brèche is an ideal option.
The home is fully equipped with a modern kitchen, laundry facilities, and updated bathroom, making daily life easy and convenient.
Wide windows keep the space filled with natural light, and the quiet courtyard setting offers peace while still being just steps from shops, cafés, the weekly market, and the train station.
With bike storage, fiber internet, and excellent walkability, it’s a practical and charming base for enjoying Niort without the upkeep of a large property.
⁉️ DID YOU KNOW?
Niort’s dragon mascot comes from local legend: the beast supposedly lived in the Sèvre Niortaise river and terrorized residents—until it was tamed by the townspeople. Today, you’ll spot dragon motifs all around town. 🐉
🎓 Workshops + Webinars
🏔️ Tour du Mont Blanc Stories & Photos (with Tommy!)
Fresh from the trail! Join me as I share photos, stories, and lessons learned from hiking the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc.
📅 Sept. 17th
🕖 7pm EST
No registration required
🏡 How to Find & Run a Profitable Gîte in France (with Rupert Springfield, from The Gîte Guru)
Dreaming of running a gîte? Rupert Springfield, known as the Gîte Guru, will share insider tips on choosing the right property, attracting guests, and making it profitable.
📅 Sept. 29th
🕛 12pm EST
No registration required
📺 France Must-Watch
Enjoy these beautiful, free videos I found!👇
🎥 « Le Temps D’un Détour » à Niort avec Stéphanie Tézière
Join guide Stéphanie Tézière for a warm, enthusiastic tour of Niort, from the medieval donjon to the Bernard d’Agesci museum. Discover why this riverside town is full of history, culture, and surprises.
👉 Watch it here
🎥 Week-end dans les Deux-Sèvres - Échappées belles
Follow Jérôme Pitorin on a journey through the Deux-Sèvres: legends, architecture, and the breathtaking Marais Poitevin. A perfect glimpse of why this underrated region deserves a spot on your retirement radar.
👉 Watch it here
🇫🇷 One Step Closer to France
That’s it for this week. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or already packing—we’re in this together.
Until next time,
Tommy
PS - Can you believe it's almost September!?! I hope to have dates for our first France Retirement Retreat in the next month. Keep an eye out!