Benjamin Keltz, journalist and editor, has always been dedicated to exploring Brittany in all its facets. As the founder of Éditions du Coin de la Rue, he pursues an editorial vision centered on narrating the essence of this region. He is also a lecturer at Sciences Po Rennes and serves as a correspondent in Brittany for Le Monde.
A secondary resident writes to the mayor of Arzon, complaining that the church bells disturb his family’s sleep. This anecdote, which might seem amusing at first, reveals a deeper and more troubling reality: a housing crisis with significant economic, social, and environmental consequences in Brittany.
In this book Bretagne secondaire: Une année au pays des volets fermés [i], Keltz sheds light on the transformation of the Breton coastline, once vibrant and dynamic, but now increasingly deserted outside the tourist season. He analyzes how the proliferation of secondary residences and short-term rentals has led to an aging population, the closure of schools, the disappearance of essential public services, and the degradation of parts of the coastline. Throughout his narrative, Keltz contextualizes this crisis within broader environmental challenges. He criticizes the “madness” of unchecked real estate development along the coast, which threatens fragile ecosystems. The surge in secondary homes and tourist infrastructure intensifies pressure on local resources and contributes to land artificialization, contradicting efforts to preserve the coastline. The author also highlights the long-standing political struggles to curb these impacts, notably the laws introduced in 1981 by Louis Le Pensec to prevent coastal privatization. Furthermore, the book draws a connection between the housing crisis and the climate crisis. Housing shortages are exacerbated by population displacements due to climate instability, foreshadowing new social and territorial shifts. Keltz offers a personal reflection on these transformations, recounting his own journeys between his secondary residence in Catalonia and his primary home in Brittany. He concludes his book with a stark observation: “The battle for space is only beginning. […] What reassures me is that tonight, I sleep in Brittany.”
The book is structured into nine chapters, each examining a different facet of the crisis and a specific area of Brittany. The first three chapters paint a picture of the current crisis, giving voice to residents struggling to find housing. In more than 50 historic communes, secondary residences now outnumber primary homes. These houses, left vacant for much of the year, exacerbate social and economic inequalities: the shortage of primary residences in the rental market prevents new residents—especially young people and essential public service workers—from settling in, stifling local vitality. The book also highlights the role of inheritance, as 43% of secondary homes in Brittany are owned by locals, often passed down through family wealth.
The author then delves into the history of tourism development in Brittany, from the rise of seaside resorts to the boom of seasonal rentals. For instance, he notes that in the early 20th century, even academics built second homes in Brittany—such as in Ploubazlanec, where four Nobel Prize winners owned residences, earning the area the nickname “Sorbonne Beach.” He also examines the motivations and perspectives of secondary homeowners while criticizing what he sees as government inaction, constrained by a capitalist ideology that assumes the market should self-regulate.
The strength of Bretagne Secondaire lies in its balance between personal narrative and rigorous documentation. Keltz supports his observations with solid data, as well as literary and economic references, while maintaining an engaging and accessible style. The testimonies gathered during his investigation are interwoven with striking anecdotes, including accounts of violent actions carried out by the Breton Liberation Front. He further enriches his analysis with international comparisons—drawing parallels with Greece and Spain—placing Brittany’s crisis within a broader global context. Finally, by incorporating diverse perspectives from residents, elected officials, and property owners, Keltz provides a nuanced and multifaceted view of this complex issue.
[i] Keltz,B., illustrations Bocel, J., Bretagne secondaire: Une année au pays des volets fermés, Ed. Coin de la rue, November 2023, pp 264.
Marie Bruguet, CEC Research Fellow.