Activists in Brittany target holiday homes

ACTIVISTS are warning people to stop buying second homes in Brittany in protest at the “excessive” number of holiday properties.

Ewan Thébaud, of a Left-wing group called Dispac’h (“rebellion” in the Breton language), said British property owners were not being targeted but warned resentment would rise if purchases of holiday homes continued.

The group plastered empty homes with stickers and posters bearing the message: “Brittany is not a second home: villages in ruins, youth in exile.”

Mr Thébaud said holiday homes outnumbered year-round residences in some villages, threatening community life. “Locals feel as if their land is being stolen,” he said.

“Our campaign is aimed at properties on the coast, which tend to be owned by the wealthy. Most Britons who have second homes have houses inland, so it doesn’t affect them. For now it’s about well-heeled Parisians.” He said he knew of 10 properties thought to be owned by British companies that are occupied by squatters.

Sharon Jackson, a Brittany resident for 20 years, said: “I haven’t heard of anything like this – I think it’s more likely to be happening in towns on the coast like Saint Malo. Where we are it’s peaceful and friendly.”

One in seven properties in Brittany are second homes. Britons own more than any other nationality except the French.