How Often Will You Use A Vacation Home In France?

Whether it's a traditional farmhouse in Provence or chic chalet in the French Alps, the allure of having a personal retreat in one of Europe’s most enviable destinations is undeniable. Nevertheless, the reality of French holiday home investment extends far beyond the initial excitement of purchase. Understanding how often you'll use your holiday home is crucial to maximising its benefits and ensuring it fits seamlessly into your travel lifestyle. In this article, we'll explore the various factors that influence the usage frequency of second homes in France and provide insights on how to make the most of your investment.

Benefits of Owning a Vacation Home in France

Historic cities, alpine mountains, and sparkling coastline – France offers some of Western Europe’s most varied landscapes, making it an ideal location for investing in a second home. Its culture is renowned globally - from the luxury fashion brands and iconic landmarks of Paris to the sprawling vineyards and rich culinary traditions of its southern regions - and provides something for every kind of traveller. 

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It is also extremely accessible, with direct flights from across the globe to its international capital of Paris, alongside a high-speed train service from other destinations across the continent, and direct from London, England. This means those who own a second home in France are able to travel to and from their retreat year-round with effortless ease. 

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Investing in a second home in France also offers significant benefits in terms of property value appreciation. According to data from Notaires de France, property prices in metropolitan France saw an average annual increase of about 6.4% as of the third quarter of 2022, with older homes in regions outside Paris appreciating at rates as high as 8.6% year-on-year​. This strong appreciation is likely driven by France's strong tourism industry and its stable economy, which is the second largest in the Eurozone. As a result, investing in a second home in France not only offers the promise of a dream travel lifestyle but also the potential for significant return on investment.

Factors Influencing Usage Frequency

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While it’s clear France is an attractive destination, you’re probably wanting to know how much you’ll use your holiday home before investing. Here are several factors to consider when evaluating usage frequency of a second home.

1. Location and accessibility
   The location and accessibility of a vacation home in France significantly impact its usage frequency. Proximity to major transport hubs and ease of travel influence how often owners can visit, with shorter travel times often encouraging more frequent stays and long weekends.
   
   
2. Personal and family schedules
   Personal and family schedules play a crucial role in determining the frequency of visits to a second home in France. Balancing school holidays, personal commitments, and other family members' schedules can either facilitate or limit the time spent at the vacation property.
   
   
3. Work commitments
   Work commitments are a key factor influencing the utilisation of a second home in France. Busy work schedules, deadlines, and professional responsibilities can restrict owners from visiting as often as they would like, often limiting stays to weekends or holiday periods throughout the year. Is your workplace flexible? If so, it might mean your investment serves as a great second office location, ideal for hybrid holidays.

Best Time to Holiday in France

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​​One of the key benefits to buying a second home in France is that the country is generally accessible and attractive year-round. This means you can holiday at a time that suits you and your family. 

Spring, from March to May, bathes the countryside in blossoms, ideal for exploring gardens and vineyards while summer, from June to August, invites time spent on its golden beaches. In Autumn, from September to November, landscapes are painted in warm hues, ideal for wine tasting, while in winter, December to February, its cities transform into festive playgrounds, and its mountain ranges into whitewashed wonderlands, perfect for snowsports.

For those who own a vacation home in France,  this means the frequency of holidays increases, with trips possible year round, and new, unforgettable experiences offered every season -whether strolling through Parisian streets in springtime or skiing in the French Alps in winter.

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French Holiday Home Ownership with August

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Imagine owning a curated collection of holiday homes across Europe for less than the cost of acquiring one in France… With August’s unique co-ownership model, it’s possible. A chalet in the French Alps, a farmhouse in Tuscany, a townhouse in Mallorca, a villa in the South of France and even a cottage in the Cotswolds. Our unique approach to co-ownership offers year-round access to five vacation homes at a fraction of the cost.

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Our properties are meticulously selected, designed and refurbished by experts to exude comfort and style, with up to five bedrooms and large social areas. Once renovated, the process of owning these homes is a seamless and hassle-free reality with August taking care of the management and maintenance too, allowing you to simply arrive, unpack and enjoy.

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Stay Longer: The Bespoke August Booking System

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Designed with our Homeowners in mind, the bespoke August booking system is designed to perfectly complement your August homes, making your holiday planning as simple as one, two, three. The booking system is user-friendly and lets you book the time you want, based on a calendar of available weeks and a straightforward usage points system. You can plan multiple holidays in advance as well as spontaneous trips, ensuring that you and your family make the most of your five unique homes throughout the year, no matter your favourite season.

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Each co-owner of the collection is allocated the same amount of usage points each year and the annual calendar is divided into four different categories based on seasons with each category incurring different points. A family can then choose to book up to 20 low season weeks or seven super peak weeks. The reality lies in the middle with families booking a mix of peak and low season weeks and it will vary depending on the families needs and flexibility.

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There are several considerations to make before embarking on your second home ownership journey, with usage frequency of utmost importance. While variable factors range from ease of accessibility to personal commitments, France offers a year-round destination, meaning that your vacation home investment will be just as attractive no matter when you choose to travel. 

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Nevertheless, should you wish to take away the stress of planning your vacations, the August co-ownership model could be the answer, with a bespoke booking system inviting you to holiday for up to 20 weeks a year with vacation homes in France and beyond. 

Interested in finding out more? Why not schedule a call with one of our Expert Advisors today to understand more about co-ownership with August and how it could help you on your way to securing a second home in France effortlessly…