What is the name of your accommodation? 

Our property is named Maison Auzenn, which we chose for its soft Breton sonority. 

Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your life, such as your interests, hobbies, or background? 

Hi, I am Chantal and my husband is Pier. We are a multicultural family: I am French-Vietnamese, my husband is Italian, and our daughters are French and American. My very messy career plan led to 10 years at the United Nations in NY, 10 years in fashion and personal image, and 15 years in developing our real estate projects. My husband is a scientist, we live in Bordeaux, and we have 2 daughters who live in Paris.

How did your property become part of your life? When did it happen, and what inspired or motivated you to take it on? 

The story of how Maison Auzenn came to life is both ugly and beautiful. In the summer of 2022, raging wildfires were destroying some of our region’s most beautiful forests. I suffer from eco-anxiety and I was bored with my work routine. Our babies had left the family home and I felt the urge for a new project. I was turning 60 in a few weeks, but I knew I could still do a lot, so I started envisioning a new life in a place with trees, water, a greater connection with nature, and a stronger sense of community, which we dearly miss in Bordeaux. This is how, two days after my 60th birthday, I hopped into my car and went on a solo journey to discover Brittany, which I didn’t know at all but which seemed to fit my vision of a better place to live. It was an amazing time, visiting small villages and bigger cities, staying at bed and breakfasts, meeting people, and of course visiting properties for sale. I took 2 solo trips that autumn and on the 3rd one, my husband joined me—and that’s when we fell in love with this home in Morlaix. It had been on the market for a year and had suffered from neglect plus a bad restoration in the 80s. But the location (those views!) and the potential we saw in it led us to make an offer, which was accepted. 

What was the process of creating your property like? Tell us about renovating, furnishing, or styling it. 

This was our third major renovation and unfortunately (or fortunately) we still went in thinking we would do a little paint job, add a couple of bathrooms, and there you go… While in the end, we ALWAYS end up doing a full renovation because we like things to be well done! We did not hire an architect and worked as a team, as always. Pier Vincenzo is good with volumes and all engineering aspects, so he drew the plans and handled all the technical parts. I took on art direction and the supervision of contractors. We wanted to return the house to the original spirit of an old seaside mansion. There were 6 bedrooms and only one bathroom, the living room was too small, so we took everything down and started from scratch, using eco-friendly materials whenever possible and also recycling what could be. 

What makes your property truly special to you? Do you have any favorite spots, cherished memories, or personal touches that make it dear to your heart? 

Maison Auzenn marked a turning point in our life. We spent 2 amazing years renovating it, with ups and downs of course, as it was not easy supervising this project from 650 km away. But we loved working on a common project in which we poured our hearts and energies. Today, I am totally in awe at the fact that my initial vision and intention came to life even better than I had dreamed of! We have made great friends here and we will call it home for good in a few years’ time. 

How would you describe the atmosphere and interior of your property? 

We absolutely love sourcing art and furniture in flea markets and antique fairs, so we started collecting right after we bought the house. The intention was to create a “Maison Douce”—a home sweet home, a place that invites you to relax and soften, to let go of your worries for a while, and enjoy the moment with your dear ones. The inspiration was the ideal family home, timeless and full of vintage finds and heirlooms. Pier is an avid art collector, so he sourced, renovated, and framed over 130 paintings and drawings that are now hung all over the house, which according to our visitors, gives it a lovely feeling. 

Are there any sustainable or eco-friendly applications associated with your property that you are proud of? 

Our approach was to have the best insulation possible, so we used recycled wood and cotton material. We had the exterior cement coating removed and replaced it with lime plaster, which blends perfectly with the architectural landscape of the Morlaix Bay. All of the furniture is vintage except for one sofa and of course all the bedding. My favorite piece is a large console that we had made by Sixième Songe, a local company that uses recycled materials to build timeless furnishings. It looks like it is 200 years old and has always been there! 

What motivated or inspired you to rent your property to guests? 

This is our second vacation rental home and I have been a host for 14 years, so it is perfectly natural for us to open our homes to visitors. We love sharing what brings us joy and it enables us to maintain the properties in tip-top condition. Knowing that our guests share meaningful moments here really brings us joy and gives sense to our endeavors. 

What can guests expect when staying at your accommodation? Share the experience, the highlights, and perhaps the best compliment you’ve received from past guests. 

Our area has something to offer for everyone: fantastic hiking and biking trails, the most beautiful and diverse beaches, cultural visits, and more. The house itself was built and furnished with high-quality requirements, so it feels like a true home. Expect comfy beds with quality linen in spacious rooms, 4 bathrooms (because I don’t like to share mine when I stay somewhere), a kitchen fully stocked for cooking delicious meals, deep sofas, and a turntable with vintage vinyls. The best compliment we repeatedly receive from our guests is that our homes are generous and beautiful, and that they made wonderful memories here.

What do you hope guests will take away from their stay, and do you have any special tips or recommendations to make their holiday unforgettable? 

I like the idea of my guests being able to slow down and concentrate on what is really meaningful: our beautiful nature, our loved ones, a walk on the beach, taking a boat tour, or reading a book by the wood-burning stove. My 2 favorite things to do here are: one, going to collect clams with friends and watching my husband prepare pasta con le vongole for everyone; and two, going to hunt for antiques! We have tons of amazing spots I’ll be happy to share.