From Parisian boulevards to Tuscan hilltops, a new take on holiday homes offers insider access to Europe’s top spots and a true sense of living like a local
The desire to live like a local rather than a tourist is increasingly one of the main signifiers of luxury travel, which values authentic experience above holiday stereotypes – and fuels many a second-home fantasy. A place where one can indulge in that A Year in Provence lifestyle for a few weeks each year – buying bread each morning from the village boulangerie, playing petanque on the square, meeting friends in a family-owned restaurant for supper – before returning to the domestic realities of everyday life.
But how do you find the right holiday home in the first place? With European hotspots often over-subscribed in summer, the challenge is treading a line between a destination that’s easily accessible, with good restaurants and a lively cultural life, and an off-the-beaten-track one where you’re unlikely to bump into next-door neighbours from home. It’s a consideration dealt with by August, a lifestyle brand that does all the hard work in sourcing characterful properties across Europe, renovating them to luxury specifications, and offering them to families and individuals to buy on a co-ownership basis.
The selection process is exacting, with properties chosen according to almost forensic criteria. “We begin by defining the essence of a home in a particular region – what makes it feel truly authentic and rooted in place,” says Mélie Dunod, CEO of August Collection, who co-founded the brand in 2018. With years of experience curating the perfect holiday homes across Europe, she has an eye for detail and knows the sort of properties that clients prefer, many of whom travel with family and friends and are looking to immerse themselves in the local way of life. “The lifestyle beyond the front door is just as important as the house itself,” she adds. “We look for places where you can stroll to a farmers’ market in the morning, discover independent restaurants, and engage with a community that still reflects its cultural heritage.”
One example is the village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup, which is just a short drive from Nice and Antibes, but much lesser known than the nearby towns of Grasse and Mougins. Its winding medieval streets pass by handsome stone houses, flower-filled squares and Romanesque towers, along with cafés, markets and galleries filled with paintings by local artists. A popular hangout is La Cave, where guests gather on the terrace for views towards the sea. It offers the classic South of France experience, and is easy to get to, but its appeal also lies in the fact that it balances accessibility with seclusion. Even in the height of summer, it’s possible to savour the tranquillity of village life while dipping into the golden beaches and social whirl of the Côte d’Azur.
“One of our greatest strengths is our in-house team of regional specialists,” explains Dunod. “Unlike individual buyers who rely on external agents and often face inflated prices, bidding wars and complex local regulations, our on-the-ground network allows a clear path to sourcing exceptional properties,” she says. “We go for coffee with concierges in Paris, talk to gardeners; 50 per cent of our homes are from off-market routes.”
August investors can choose from five distinct collections tailored to different ways of travelling and lifestyles. For those who love the energy of iconic cities, the Pied à Terreincludes two-bedroom apartments in London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Cannes, while the Grand Pied à Terre offers three-bedroom apartments with more spaces for hosting and entertaining.
For villa escapes, August focuses on some of Europe’s most timeless destinations: the South of France, Tuscany, Mallorca, the French Alps and the Cotswolds. The Signature Collection features three-bedroom homes that balance privacy with access to local culture. The Premium Collection steps up in size and amenities, adding comforts like private gyms and saunas. At the top, the Prime Collection offers extraordinary homes, each worth around, with sweeping views, expansive grounds, and space for 10 or more guests.
“One of the biggest advantages for us is avoiding the common challenges of overseas property ownership,” says one Signature Collection homeowner. “We have friends with homes abroad, who find it quite a responsibility to handle all the property management issues. In contrast, with August, currently we have four properties across three different countries – two in the South of France – and yet we don’t have to navigate the legal and logistical complexities of international real estate.”
But for many families, the true magic lies in the sense of belonging that settles in almost effortlessly. “We really got to know Pollença well,” the same owner reflects about their home in Mallorca. “We loved being in the village, where everything was walkable. I felt completely comfortable letting my kids run around the streets. We went to the same restaurants so often that the staff knew what my kids wanted before we even ordered.”
