Treat yourself to a house by the sea
If you love the coast, why not opt for a house at the water’s edge ?
Listen to the rhythm of the waves rather than the throb of urban buses. Look to the blue horizon, rather than an oppressive view of neighbouring buildings. In terms of surf and foam, sand and pebbles, France does very well indeed, with more than 883 coastal communities and around 5,100 kilometres of coastline. From East to West, you could be diving into the invigorating waves of the Atlantic Ocean within a 100-kilometre journey.
From Brittany to the Mediterranean, there are so many places offering sumptuous views and houses that invite the outdoors indoors.Perhaps yours could be a village house with direct beach access in Morbihan? A 300 m2 family home on the Cotentin peninsula not far from Mont-Saint-Michel? Or a luxury seafront villa in the heart of Biarritz? Seaside property is certainly more expensive (beautiful views always fetch a high price!), but it can also be an excellent rental investment, especially if the property is located in a particularly popular area. A seaside house in Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat can be a real goldmine in high season.
Head North !
Although the Breton coast doesn’t get as many hours of sunshine as the French Riviera, it offers some amazing opportunities in places like Dinard and Trinité-sur-Mer. Depending on your budget, it may be worth your while to head off to northern France, which is quieter, but has some amazing hidden gems. Are you a fan of architect Auguste Perret? If you are, perhaps you might be tempted by an architect-designed villa by the sea in Le Havre? Or perhaps a house raised on piers above the water in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer would be more your thing?
As a second home, a house by the sea will give everyone in the family, regardless of age, the perfect opportunity to make memories in restful surroundings. It would also put an end to pre-holiday stress, because you’ll be breathing in fresh sea air within a few hours’ drive.
