Where the French Flee for the Summer: What Holiday Homes Tell Us About Living the Dream

By Jay Corless, edited by Adrian Leeds

It’s that magical moment in France—the end of the school year, when families pack up their cars (or hop on the TGV) and head off to the countryside, the coast, or the mountains for two months of pure, unfiltered “vacances.”

You can almost feel the collective exhale as Parisians leave the city. Traffic thins out, and the local baker in the Dordogne braces for a sudden spike in baguette demand. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a pied-à-terre or summer getaway in France, this is your seasonal wake-up call.

Every summer, millions of second homes across the country come alive. And guess who owns them? Parisians. According to recent reports in the Financial Times, residents of the capital own more than 348,000 “résidences secondaires” across France—evidence that even the French feel the need to escape their beloved City of Light when the mercury rises and the tourists descend.

But here’s the catch: these aren’t just luxurious hideaways or rustic fantasies. They’re lifestyle investments—smart, emotionally fulfilling, and increasingly accessible. And for expats seeking a deeper connection to France, they may be some of the most under-appreciated opportunities on the market.

FOLLOW THE LOCALS TO KNOW WHERE THE FRENCH GO

If you want to find the best spots in France, follow the locals. The French, especially Parisians, tend to return to the same beloved regions every year. Why? Because the lifestyle is familiar, family-friendly, and seamlessly integrated with their work–life balance.

Here are a few perennial favorites:

Normandy—just a couple of hours from Paris, with half-timbered homes, long beaches, and soft gray skies. Think Deauville, Cabourg, Honfleur. Easy to reach and full of charm.

Loire Valley— châteaux country. Beautiful riverside towns like Saumur and Tours attract urbanites seeking historical ambiance and affordable elegance.

Île de Ré and the Atlantic Coast—often called the French Martha’s Vineyard. Whitewashed homes, bike paths, seafood markets, and a cool ocean breeze.

Les Alpilles and the South-East—think Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Eygalières. Sun-soaked, postcard-perfect villages where the olive oil tastes like summer itself.

And for the more adventurous: the Pyrenees, Auvergne, or Gers, where life moves even more slowly, and the properties come at half the cost.

But the number one region is none other than Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur—or as we insiders like to say, PACA. This sun-soaked region is home to all the headliners: Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, and those adorable hilltop villages of the Luberon. It’s no surprise that PACA boasts one of the highest concentrations of second homes in the entire country—because frankly, who wouldn’t want a piece of that Mediterranean lifestyle?

You’ve got the sea, the mountains, fields of lavender, Michelin-starred restaurants, Provençal markets that smell like heaven, and let’s not forget—Nice has an international airport, so hopping in and out is a breeze. That’s why it attracts everyone from Parisian elites escaping the gray skies to Americans and Scandinavians in search of la belle vie with a view.

Second homes here aren’t just for vacations—they’re savvy investments that double as your little slice of French fantasy. And trust me, once you’re sipping rosé on a sunny terrace in Villefranche-sur-Mer, you’ll never look back.

HOLIDAY HOMES: MORE THAN JUST A SUMMER FLING

What does all of this mean for expats and international buyers? It means this: you don’t have to choose between investment and lifestyle. Holiday homes in France offer the best of both worlds.

Let’s take a closer look:

Accessibility: Thanks to France’s brilliant train network, many of these regions are just two to three hours from Paris. That makes weekend visits and longer stays more than manageable.

Affordability: While Paris still averages over €10,000 per square meter, you can find gorgeous countryside homes for €2,000/m² or less. Even in coastal zones like Brittany or Occitanie, you’re looking at properties with price tags under €250,000.

Rental potential: During summer, demand soars. Platforms like Airbnb or Gîtes de France make it easy to rent out your property when you’re not using it—especially if you buy in a tourist-savvy region.

Remote-work ready: A growing number of owners are turning holiday homes into semi-primary residences. They spend July and August there, and then return throughout the year—working remotely and enjoying the seasons at a slower pace.

INSIDER TIPS FOR THE ASPIRING HOLIDAY HOMEOWNER

Owning a second home in France isn’t without its red tape—but it’s all part of the adventure. A few points to keep in mind:

Taxes and declarations: Be prepared to declare your property for “taxe d’habitation” (still applicable on second homes) and potentially pay higher rates if it’s in a city with a housing shortage.

Furnish for flexibility: If you plan to rent out your home during peak periods, consider lockable storage for personal items and turnkey furnishings to make it easy to manage from abroad.

Start small and regional: You don’t need a vineyard or a villa. A two-bedroom stone cottage in the Lot or a seaside flat in La Rochelle can be just as satisfying—and easier to maintain.

Get local help: A trusted property manager or cleaning team is worth their weight in gold. You won’t always be around, but someone needs to let the plumber in during winter storms.

THE BOTTOM LINE: VACATIONS WITH VISION

So here’s the deal, buying a holiday home in France isn’t just a dream. It’s a vision for your future—a way to root yourself in French life, to participate in the culture like a local, and to create something that brings joy and long-term value.

Whether it’s cycling through the lavender fields of Provence, sipping cider in Normandy, reading Balzac by the river in the Loire, or cooling your heels on a “transat” on the Côte d’Azur, there’s a place—and a pace—for you.

Summer is here. The French are already heading toward their vacation homes. Maybe it’s time you joined them. Just let us know.

Bonne vacances!

A bientôt,