Revitalizing Damgan: The Colorful Transformation of Coastal Brittany
In Damgan, a quaint coastal villa in Brittany, France, a new trend is emerging as residents start painting their window blinds vibrant shades of red , blue , and green —a delightful departure from the traditionally used white . Mayor Jean Marie-Labesse has acknowledged this colorful shift, emphasizing that “we send them painting.” This seemingly superficial change speaks volumes about the more profound challenges the town is grappling with. The decision to adopt a more cheerful palette is not merely aesthetic; it reflects Damgan’s identity as a town that predominantly caters to tourists, leaving many of its windows shuttered throughout the year.
By injecting a splash of color into the blinds, the City Council aims to create an illusion that Damgan is bustling with life, rather than appearing as a town in mothballs for the majority of the year. The vibrant colors are a call to action—an attempt to breathe life into this once-thriving community, which has been heavily burdened by an overwhelming amount of second residences.
A staggering statistic: 74%. Damgan’s predicament is emblematic of a wider issue affecting numerous tourist towns, both in France and abroad—the concerning trend of prioritizing second residences over permanent housing. In Damgan, the trend is particularly pronounced, with a remarkable 74% of properties classified as second residences, a figure that peaked at a daunting 80% prior to the City Council’s intervention. This alarming statistic raises questions about the sustainability of a community that experiences a population influx from just 1,900 residents in winter to a bustling 30,000 during the peak summer months.
Why does it matter? The ramifications of this imbalance between seasonal and stable housing extend beyond surface aesthetics. Mayor Labesse highlights that this disparity jeopardizes essential services, such as local schools. In a particularly telling example, one year saw the local kindergarten register only a single baby, a stark indicator of the town’s demographic troubles. “It is a crucial issue for the people,” he states emphatically.
Additionally, this surge in holiday housing is making waves in the local real estate market. Le Parisien spoke to a 50-year-old carpenter who found it impossible to secure housing despite having a decent income. He lamented, “Workers cannot live here; they have to go 20 km out. We are becoming a town for older people.” This sentiment resonates with locals who feel increasingly marginalized in their own community. Initiatives like ‘Les Volets Ouverts’ work to connect residents with empty homes, shedding light on the dire need for affordable housing options.
Lessons from Damgan. While Damgan’s trials are telling, it is crucial to recognize that it is not an isolated case. France grapples with an estimated 3.2 million second residences, accounting for nearly 10% of the nation’s housing stock. The problem is accentuated in coastal regions like Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, where holiday homes dominate with percentages reaching 14% . Other towns such as Carnac and Trinité reflect similar patterns, with second residences constituting around 72% of their housing stock. This situation is compounded by a lack of permanent housing available for local workers.
Global Perspective. The implications of second homes extend beyond France’s borders. In London, the issue has reached such critical levels that local authorities are implementing fiscal measures to incentivize owners to rent out these empty properties. Reports highlighted that around 30,000 homes in the city lay vacant for extended periods. Even in the United States, locations like Marinette-Ron Mountain are seeing over 25% of their housing classified as seasonal or recreational, mirroring the concerns faced in places like Damgan.
The phenomenon of seasonally occupied homes also resonates within Spain. In Ibiza and Formentera , significant portions of the residential market consist of second homes. Despite this being a popular tourist destination, a report from Ibiza Diario noted that in 2023, approximately 6,200 of the 86,000 properties were inhabited sporadically, further complicated by a staggering 44% of houses in certain areas considered non-primary residences. The implication is clear: many towns are now mere “cities of the blinds,” where the majority of homes stand empty for most of the year.
Through the vibrant transformation of Damgan, local authorities aim to not only beautify the town but also address the deeper systemic challenges facing this unique coastal community. The colorful blinds serve as a metaphor for the urgent need to cultivate a sustainable living environment, fostering a sense of community that transcends seasonal tourism.
Image | Mairie de Damgan
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