A second home is a sanctuary for people, a spot to unwind and take a holiday. Additionally, you can turn it into an investment property you can rent while not in use.
For the French, a vacation home must be near the coast. You might be surprised by the beach towns and villages identified as the most popular areas to buy a second house in France.
However, if you are generally familiar with the buying process of a house, there are some specifics to purchasing a secondary residence that you must know. It includes the flexibility of location, whether you want to spend more time there, rent it out to tourists, or do a combination of both.
Once you’ve considered that, it’s time to find your next property. Here are the ten best locations to help you find your best second home in the South of France.
The French Riviera
The stunning Mediterranean Sea coastline in the south of France is known as the French Riviera. Because it is well-known for its beaches, views, picture-perfect sea, and yachts, many French people like this location. It also features a renowned art and culture scene and lovely cities and villages (including Monaco, an autonomous state). It is a region that enjoys a tremendous mild to warm climate (and sunshine) year-round because it is where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet.
Valbonne, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and Villefranche-sur-Mer are the four areas on the French Riviera that are most sought-after for second homes. Which would you prefer: a luxurious vacation property in Saint-Tropez, a high-performing revenue stream in Cannes, a picturesque view from the Villefranche-sur-Mer hills, or an ideal Provençal lifestyle in Valbonne?
Bassin d’Arcachon, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Many suggest that the Bassin d’Arcachon on the Atlantic coast of France is the best place to buy a second house in France. The Bassin d’Arcachon, about an hour from Bordeaux, is home to several charming villages and Cap Ferret and Arcachon towns. Along with the Dune du Pilat, the tallest dune in Europe, pine forests, and oyster ports, there are 76 km of beaches. The excellent news is that, out of these top 10, buying a home in Bassin d’Arcachon is the least expensive. A house in the south of the Bassin will cost you, on average €311,000, according to the Notaires de France website, whereas to the north, it costs €287,000.
Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
The coastal village of Cassis near Marseille came in third on the list of the best places to own a second house in France. With its charming hamlet, beaches, and boat cruises to the adjacent Calanques, it is no surprise that Cassis, an old fishing village, has developed into a popular vacation spot. The Notaires de France website does not provide an average house price, but an apartment here will cost you €4,730/m2.
Sainte-Maxime, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
It is not unexpected that Sainte-Maxime, a famous Riviera town with a prime location on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, made the list of the finest places to own a second house in France. It is the perfect location for a vacation house, with more than 10 kilometres of white sand beaches and 300 days of sunlight annually. However, you can anticipate being joined by many other tourists during the busiest months. There are numerous seaside pubs and eateries and various markets every week. But according to the Notaires de France, the average price of a home in Saint-Maxime is €587,600.
Deauville, Calvados, Normandy
The Norman beach town of Deauville is among the favorite locations to buy a second property. Deauville, often known as the Parisian Riviera, has been a popular seaside destination since the late 19th century when affluent Parisians began to travel there. They constructed opulent mansions, a casino, an elegant seafront promenade, and a racetrack. Head to the Promenade des Planches boardwalk along the beach to see the beach cabins named after the Hollywood stars who have visited. The town is still a favorite among the wealthy and famous, especially during the annual American Film Festival.
Île-de-Ré, Charente-Maritime, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Île-de-Ré, an island off the coast of La Rochelle, is a well-liked French vacation spot. La Flotte and Ars-en-Ré, two Plus Beaux Villages with whitewashed cottages, blue shutters, sandy beaches, and vibrant marketplaces, are found on the island. The Île-de-Ré is ideal for summer vacations because it gets nearly as much sun as the Mediterranean shore! According to the Notaires de France, the average home price in Île-de-Ré is €476,000, making it significantly less expensive.
Ramatuelle, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Ramatuelle is a favourite among celebrities and is located on the glitzy French Riviera near Saint-Tropez, so it’s no surprise that it made the list of the most incredible places to own a second house! The village is a charming combination of winding lanes, old buildings, and arts & crafts stores located on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Overlooking the well-known Pampelonne beach is Ramatuelle. The Notaires de France website does not include the typical property prices for Ramatuelle, as this is a rare market with high demand and just a few exclusive properties for sale. However, the average home price in the gulf of Saint-Tropez starts at €600,000. For luxury villas, property listings begin at 2 million.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Located just south of Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a popular tourist destination but has a more laid-back atmosphere than its neighbour. Families love the crescent-shaped beach, and strolling along the large promenade is a lot of fun. A second home would be fantastic in this town, filled with vibrant Basque houses, boutique stores, seafood restaurants, a casino, and various spas. According to the Notaires de France, the average home in Saint-Jean-de-Luz costs €465,000, making it less expensive than Biarritz.
Porto-Vecchio, Corse-du-Sud, Corsica
A variety of well-known, world-famous beaches, notably Palombaggia, which TripAdvisor users named one of the superb beaches in France, are near Porto-Vecchio, a bustling seaside town in southern Corsica. With mountains above, a coastline below, and lovely town streets to wander through, Porto-Vecchio offers the best of both worlds. One of the less expensive locations on this list, a house in Porto-Vecchio will run you an average of €372,100.
Quiberon, Morbihan, Brittany
The picturesque Quiberon peninsula is one of the best areas to purchase a vacation house. The mountainous coastline and sandy beaches offer lots of holiday activities. There are several quaint Breton settlements to explore, even if it doesn’t have the same hot summers as the southern coast. According to the Notaires de France, the average house costs €325,000, making real estate another bargain.
A contribution by Arleen Atienza
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