If building a holiday home in the Southwest appeals to you, don't rush into it, because it's also a project for the future. Hosting friends, generating rental income, creating a haven for the family, preparing for retirement… this is undoubtedly the best way to combine relaxation and investment.
What is the right plot of land to build a holiday home?
A plot of land close to amenities
Tired of the city? Dreaming of a peaceful holiday far from everything? The idea, while appealing, can quickly turn into a nightmare. Lack of independence for family members in their activities and social interactions, difficulties reselling the property… isolation can quickly turn you into a taxi driver, and then relaxation is a thing of the past! Opt for a land near a city center and shops that will be accessible on foot or by bicycle. From the Gironde in Gers, passing through the Landes, many Pyrenees and Haute-Garonne, the Southwest is full of villages and medium-sized cities which allow for a balance between calm and dynamism.
Building near summer activities
A holiday home means activities. Choose your holiday destination according to your desires and the Tourist attractionsBeaches, lake, cycle paths, hiking trails, skiing, sports and cultural activities… there is something for everyone.
A holiday home accessible by train
So that the whole family can come and rest in the house for a few days whenever they want, or to rent easily all year round, opt for places accessible by train from the major cities. The South West is a well-served region, but carefully study transport times to make the most of your weekends.
A modular holiday home
Going from 2 to 10 people without everyone getting in each other's way, that's what we ask of a ideal holiday home. Privilege two bathroomsand a minimum of two toilets (one per floor) to avoid overcrowding. Upstairs, a mezzanine or an attic room that can be converted into a guest room or better yet a dormitory will be valuable assets.
Building an adaptable home is within everyone's reach with the builder Maisons Sicas explained in the article " Why build a scalable house in the South West? ».
Let in natural light
In older homes, natural light is often lacking. Building your own holiday home offers the opportunity to have a healthy and pleasant living space that is easy to maintain and functional. Let the light in for a true sense of relaxation and connection with the outdoors. Large bay windows opening onto the terrace and views of the surrounding nature will provide a complete change of scenery.
Building the ideal holiday home: a bedroom for everyone
Holidays rhyme with freedom, rest, and relaxation. To ensure everyone has their own space at any age, opt for a bedroom for all. There's no need for excessive storage or a desk, so minimize the space allocated to each bedroom and increase their number to accommodate the whole family.
Plan for a welcoming, easy-to-maintain garden
In a vacation home, the outdoors is undeniably the main living space. It's impossible to overlook a beautiful sunny terrace who knows how to carve out shaded areas at opportune moments. Sheltered dining areas, wooden terrace or non-slip tiling accessible from the living room and kitchen, lounge area, play area… The outdoor space is designed down to the smallest detail. As for landscaping, a hardy lawn and drought-resistant local plants are preferred. house with swimming pool It is also the perfect companion for family holidays. It will be considered from the very beginning of the house design for a harmonious garden And well thought out.
To learn more, follow " The steps to lay out your garden at the time of construction »
Keeping your house cool in summer
Cool and relaxing, the holiday home is designed for summer comfort. Its windows, protected from direct sunlight by vegetation or sunshades, ensure ample natural light while preventing overheating. The mineral interior materials (tiles, brick, etc.) provide excellent thermal mass. They store heat during the day and release it at nightfall, maintaining a nearly constant temperature throughout the house.
To understand how to achieve such a level of comfort, read the article » Building a bioclimatic house in Gironde: 11 tips for a cool house in summer »
Control your holiday home remotely with home automation
Just because it's built for holidays doesn't mean the family house does not benefit from all the necessary comforts, winter or summer. The house built according to the RE2020 complies with all standards regardingenergy savingInvesting in the automation further improves comfort and energy savings, as it allows for remotely control its equipment. This includes, for example, turning on the heating in anticipation of their arrival, adjusting the water heater temperature to suit the number of occupants, or programming the opening or closing of the shutters to simulate a presence.
To fully understand the advantages of investing in home automation, read the article " Home automation in new homes reduces energy bills in the South West ».
Consider seasonal rentals
There’s nothing quite like a well-located house in the SouthwestA property located near a train station and tourist attractions can become a profitable investment. For holidays, weekends, etc., the house can be rented out whenever you're not there to minimize your investment costs. Discuss this with your... builder Maisons SicYou can even consider independent external access so that you only rent out part of the property.
Planning for retirement in your holiday home
What if your second home eventually became your permanent residence? The Southwest is a region well-suited to a peaceful retirement. construction of the house It is therefore necessary to anticipate this stage of life when the children will be grown. With a master suite on the ground floor, the holiday home is well-suited to everyday living. The upper floor or a second living area on the ground floor can be closed off when unoccupied during the winter to minimize energy consumption.
To learn more, see the article " Building your home for retirement: heading to the Southwest ».
A brand new holiday home imbued with a regional style
In the Southwest, the charm of towns and villages often comes from architectural simplicity, combined with authentic materials.
On new holiday homes can opt for modernity with flat roofs, large Windows and a sober look, or on the contrary, revisiting regional styles:
- Basque house or Landes style with canal tiles, half-timbering, white plaster and colored woodwork.
- Villa elegant Midi Pyrenees: exposed stone, plant-covered pergola, natural and warm atmosphere.
- wooden house with light wood cladding, in a “chic cabin” style.
- Houses in Arcachon with their tall ridge tiles, wide overhanging roofs, or exposed bricks around the bays…
Ocean, sea, countryside, mountains, rich and varied cuisine…, South West It caters to all desires and offers the perfect setting for a truly memorable holiday. Building a holiday home in the region means investing in a lifestyle: one of sunshine, sharing, and freedom. A local builder like Maisons Sic We will support you throughout the process, even remotely, thanks to our Paris office dedicated to remote construction. We will help you choose the right plot of land and design a project tailored to your needs, anticipating your future requirements, all within a controlled budget that takes into account all associated costs.
To better understand the construction method, read the article " Building in the South-West from Paris: The stages"
