For the second consecutive year, the National Real Estate Federation (FNAIM) has unveiled its summer study on French seaside resorts. The objective: to analyze the attractiveness of coastal real estate in terms of price and energy performance.
As summer is in full swing, the appeal of the seaside has never been stronger. The FNAIM took advantage of this summer period to take stock of French seaside resorts.
The study examined more than 470 seaside resorts, either coastal towns with a beach or classified as tourist resorts, with at least 15% second homes. These destinations mainly attract temporary residents, often with less than 5,000 inhabitants in permanent residence, while almost half of the accommodation (47%) is second homes.
An increase in real estate prices
The study reveals that real estate prices on the coasts have experienced a spectacular rise from 2020 to the end of 2022. The three most expensive cities in France are seaside resorts, and among the 20 most expensive municipalities in the country, 9 of them are seaside resorts.
On average, the price per square meter reaches €4,676, thus exceeding the national average which is €3,088/m2. Seaside accommodation also saw a stronger increase than the national average, with an increase of approximately +6% in one year.
The most expensive regions are Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with average prices of €5,774/m2 and €5,363/m2 respectively. Some towns are breaking records with prices exceeding €14,000/m2, such as Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Ramatuelle and Saint-Tropez.
On the other hand, Brittany and Normandy stand out as the regions where seaside real estate is more accessible. In Brittany, the average price per square meter is €3,622, while in Normandy, it is €3,604/m2. Municipalities such as Trinité-sur-Mer, Île-aux-Moines in Brittany, and Deauville in Normandy, however, remain exceptions with higher prices.
Less energy-intensive homes by the sea
The great novelty of this study is the analysis of the energy performance (EPD) of properties in seaside resorts. While overall the share of energy-intensive housing (label DPE F or G) is lower by the sea (14% against 17% nationally), regional disparities are observed.
Regions in northern France, such as Hauts-de-France (26%), Normandy (24%), Pays de la Loire (22%) and Brittany (21%), have higher rates of colanders temperatures higher than the national average.
On the other hand, the southern regions, namely Occitanie (7%), Corsica (8%) and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur (9%), stand out for their low rate of energy-intensive housing. Nationally, it is found that the further south you go, the less energy-intensive housing there is.
Preserve accessibility and limit the erosion of the rental stock
Faced with the explosion of prices in tourist areas, the FNAIM offers a system of exemption from capital gains tax for sales of second homes, if the buyer agrees to make it their main residence. This measure aims to preserve the accession capacity of young workers in these territories.
Regarding thermal sieves, the FNAIM recommends limiting the erosion of the rental stock towards the rental of furnished tourist accommodation while respecting the economic identities of the territories. Thus, it suggests allowing mayors to derogate by decree from the provisions of the Climate Law, depending on the specificity of the territory, in order to find a balance between the housing needs of working people and the importance of tourist activity.
Mary Gerald
Front cover photo: ©Adobe Stock
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