Infographics. They live in a second home in the Grand Est region: who are they, where are they from... and why do they love the Vosges?
This summer, many French people are heading to their second homes. But the Grand Est region is lagging behind: only 4.6% of households own one, the lowest proportion in metropolitan France, according to a recent INSEE study. This figure is well below the national average (7.6%). However, the Vosges department is holding its own: it alone accounts for nearly a third of the residences in the Grand Est region. Here's a closer look.
The town of La Bresse with the bell tower of the Saint Laurent church, its houses and chalets on the mountainside. Photo Alexandre Marchi
Second home sales are plummeting nationwide. But what does the supply of these properties look like in the Grand Est region?
With only 4.6% of households having a second home, the region has the lowest rate in metropolitan France, according to this INSEE survey.
As the graph below shows, this figure is well below the national average (7.6%), and far behind Île-de-France (10%), or Corsica (15.4%), at the top of this ranking.
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In the Grand Est region, second homes are rarely synonymous with a big getaway. According to this INSEE study, 5.6 % of households with a second home live within an hour's drive of it. This is one of the highest rates.
Local roots carry a lot of weight. Of the 122,000 second homes owned by households in the Grand Est region, more than half are located in this same region. And above all, according to the same study, 69% of the region's second homes are owned by its own residents. A record in France.
The Vosges massif alone accounts for almost a third of the second homes in the Grand Est region.
"We still find many renovated old farmhouses, typical Vosges houses and traditional chalets. But in recent years, many new constructions have been seen, often in the form of high-end chalets," analyzes Anabelle Etienne, sales and purchase transaction negotiator at Sergic in Nancy .
"Just 1.5 hours from Nancy, the Vosges offer a real breath of fresh air to the region's residents. It's also a haven of peace for Parisians, Belgians, and even northerners in search of nature, calm, and authenticity," she adds.
The buyers? "Profiles ranging from 35 to 55 years old, often executives, liberal professionals, or business leaders." According to Anabelle Etienne, they come mainly from the Grand Est region, but also from neighboring departments such as Haute-Marne and Bas-Rhin.
Gérardmer, “the pearl of the Vosges”Unsurprisingly, Gérardmer remains the flagship destination, rightly nicknamed "the pearl of the Vosges".
Its lake, ski slopes, and family atmosphere make it a highly sought-after location. "Prices have risen significantly, particularly in Gérardmer and its surrounding areas. In ten years, some houses have seen their value increase by 20 to 30%. The market remains dynamic, driven by constant demand from families, couples, and groups of friends looking for a pied-à-terre for weekends or vacations."
However, some neighboring towns are gaining in attractiveness thanks to slightly more accessible prices and an equally charming setting.
“Neighboring towns like Xonrupt-Longemer, La Bresse and Le Tholy also attract many buyers in search of nature and tranquility,” observes Anabelle Etienne.
And when they leave their region for a second home, residents of the Grand Est prefer the south of France above all else.
Top destinations include:
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur : 12,100 second homes occupied by households in the Grand Est region.
- Occitanie: 11,700.
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 10,900.
As our graph below shows, far behind, Nouvelle-Aquitaine comes in 4th position with only 4,200 second homes occupied by residents of the Grand Est.
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On the other hand, a region like Centre-Val de Loire (600) is of very little interest to residents of the Grand Est.
According to the INSEE, its occupants are on average younger and less well-off than the national average. Unlike other regions where these homes are located by the sea or in the mountains, those in the Grand Est remain in rural areas.
A model that contrasts with the phenomenon observed during the pandemic where many residents of Île-de-France returned to their second homes in the south of France, for example.
Finally, another specific feature of the Grand Est: for second homes not belonging to "locals", a third are owned by residents of Île-de-France , and another third by foreigners from Germany (43%) or Belgium (21%).
L'Est Républicain
