Boom in second homes: in which regions are the French building the most?

This study carried out on the basis of building permit data from Sitadel and the Ministry of Ecological Transition between 2017 and 2022, we can see that four regions on the west coast in particular have seen this market explode.

Key figures

• West Coast: we find 62% of new second homes built in 4 regions of the West Coast
• Covid impact: +28% construction of second homes in 2022 compared to 2020
• The 4 regions concerned: Brittany, New Aquitaine, Pays de La Loire, Occitanie

Secondary residences: figures on the rise

Between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022, the French built no less than 25.062 second homes, 62% of which are concentrated in 4 regions of the west coast, in Brittany, in Nouvelle Aquitaine, in the countries of Loire and Occitanie.

It was in the aftermath of the health crisis and successive lockdowns, between January and April 2021, that requests increased most significantly (+ 30% compared to the same period of the previous year). Among the main motivations, 60% of owners have built or acquired a second home for their exclusive use, which reflects a real desire to change their environment. Only 22% of second homes are rented regularly or occasionally.

What is the profile of second home owners?

The average age of owners is around 44 years old. These are mainly couples with at least one child (59% of them) and whose net monthly income amounts to 5700 euros. However, 86% invest more in the old with an average budget of 225.000 euros.

Second homes preferably near the sea

Classification of regions by construction of second homes

The coastline is clearly favored: 34% of owners chose the sea rather than the countryside, 13% preferred the mountains and 24% invested in the city. The distance between the main residence and the secondary residence is not a determining criterion of choice, it is the desire to change environment which takes precedence. Thus, 55% of second homes are built more than 200 km from the usual place of life.

If the region most sought after by Parisians remains Normandy for its 600 km of coastline with such varied landscapes, its typical architecture and its past steeped in history, Brittany is the most popular region. Two and a half hours from Paris, the owners choose the seaside for its beautiful beaches (Côtes d'Armor, Finistère, Morbihan or Loire-Atlantique) while ensuring accessibility to shops on foot or by foot. bicycle for comfort of life.

Further south, Occitanie attracted 12% of second home owners. Next comes New Aquitaine (11,4%) for its coastline but also its cultural heritage. The speed of transport is an asset. Bordeaux, for example, is only 2 hours from Paris by TGV.

Cities rankings

As of December 31, 2022, the list of the 20 cities where the most second homes have been built in the West of France is as follows:

• Sarzeau,
• Niort,
• Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez,
• Notre-Dame-de-Monts,
• Longeville-sur-mer,
• Batignolles-sur-mer,
• St Gervais-les-Bains,
• Megeve,
• Loctudy,
• Gérardmer,
• Jard-sur-mer,
• Biscarosse,
• Vertou,
• Saints-Jean-de-Monts,
• Fouesnant,
• Pornic,
• Boniface,
• Albi,
• Poitiers,
• Crozon.

The share of second homes is becoming significant and even worrying

The share of second homes compared to primary residences has become very significant in certain regions. In the Loire region, for example, the percentage of second homes in the urban community of the Guérande peninsula is 44,9%. In Pornic and its agglomeration, it reached 33,8% and in the Océan Marais-de-Monts community of communes, it rose to 55,5%.

Why build a second home in these regions?

A milder climate

The first reason is undoubtedly the climate. The west coast is spared from global warming. The oceanic climate generates mild winters and summers that are much cooler than in the south of France.

An environment close to nature

The green setting is a second selection criterion. If young executives love the bustling life of the city, they also aspire to more balance between personal and professional lives. Calm and nature are important criteria for recharging your batteries. The environment is all the more important as the second home will become the main residence in retirement.

In the old property market, buyers are also looking to make a good investment. Stone remains a safe haven in times of inflation.

A more attractive price than in the south

The price of construction per m² is often lower than in the South of France. In Brittany for example, it amounts to 1.540 euros. In New Aquitaine, it drops to 1.470 euros. In Occitania, it costs 1.440 euros while in Pays de la Loire, it is 1.570 euros. The price of land is also lower, sometimes up to 4 times cheaper than on the Var coast or in the Alpes-Maritimes. On the other hand, some places like the Côte Fleurie in Normandy have high prices.

In addition, investing in new property confers many advantages: a larger space open to the outside, more comfortable, meeting the latest environmental standards with manufacturer guarantees. No maintenance costs are expected for a long time. Owners are also very sensitive to sustainable technologies such as solar power, for example.

Conclusion

However, the second home market is experiencing a slowdown. The currently sharply rising interest rate and the cost of materials since the war in Ukraine are now affecting the real estate market, with 50% of financing requests being rejected. You therefore need a solid record with higher income to achieve your dream.

Table of departments with the most new second homes built

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.