Owner’s guide · Winterising

Closing your holiday home in Brittany for winter: the checklist

A house left empty from October to Easter in South Finistère is less at risk from frost than from damp, wind and small leaks that go unnoticed for weeks. This checklist covers what to do before you leave, who should keep an eye on the house while you are away, and how to reopen it safely.

In short: turn off the water and protect the pipes, keep minimal heating and ventilation running, put away anything the wind can carry, reread your insurance policy, and arrange for someone to call in regularly, especially after storms.

Why winter is tricky on the Finistère coast

Damp before frost: winters are mild, but an unheated, unventilated house fills with moisture. Musty smells, mould, damaged fabrics and mattresses, swollen doors and windows: this is the most common damage owners find on their return.
Storms: from October to March, westerly gales shift roof slates, block gutters and knock over anything left outside. Storm Ciarán in November 2023 was a reminder for many owners.
Salt air: close to the sea, ironwork, gates, shutters and outdoor equipment corrode faster.
Time to discovery: a leak found after three weeks costs far more than one found after three days.

Before you leave: the closing checklist

Water and pipes

Turn off the main water supply (the stopcock after the meter) and open the taps to drain exposed pipes.
Drain outside taps and put hoses away.
Switch off the water heater or set it to frost protection, depending on the model and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Write down the water meter reading: on the next visit it will show straight away whether there is a leak.

Heating and electricity

Leave the heating on frost protection, and a little higher in rooms prone to damp if the house needs it.
Have the boiler serviced (a legal requirement in France every year) and the flues swept before winter.
Leave the mechanical ventilation (VMC) running: it helps limit damp.
Unplug unnecessary appliances. Empty, clean and leave the fridge and freezer open if they are switched off.

Damp and interior

Open interior doors, cupboards and drawers so that air can circulate.
Stand mattresses on edge, store linen and fabrics somewhere dry, and place moisture absorbers in the most exposed rooms.
Leave no food behind and empty the bins.
Photograph every room: dated photos are your reference if you ever need to make a claim.

Outside and storms

Bring in or tie down garden furniture, parasols, bins and anything that can blow away.
Have gutters and downpipes cleared, and the roof and ridge checked.
Have branches overhanging the roof or power lines cut back.
Check that shutters, gates and garden sheds are secure.

Security, insurance and post

Reread your home insurance policy: many French policies set conditions for long periods of absence, such as turning off the water or having the house checked regularly. Keep proof of each visit.
Store valuables safely and never leave keys in sight.
Register your absence with the local gendarmerie (Opération Tranquillité Vacances) and let a trusted neighbour know.
Redirect your post, and keep the internet box running if you have an alarm or connected sensors.

During the winter: who keeps watch

Regular visits and keys are the job of a local concierge service, a trusted neighbour or family. Whoever calls in, this is what to ask for:

A visit every two to four weeks, inside and out: airing, signs of damp, water meter reading, condition of doors and windows.
A visit after every Météo-France wind warning: roof seen from the ground, gutters, trees, fences, shutters.
A report with photos after each visit, so you can decide from a distance and show your insurer.
A quick response if something happens: emergency measures, a claim filed with your insurer on time, local tradespeople alerted.

On your return: reopening the house

Air the house thoroughly before turning the heating back up.
Turn the water back on gradually and check for leaks under sinks, at the water heater and at the joints.
Switch the water heater back on and run each tap for a few minutes.
Walk around the outside: roof, gutters, garden, and note what needs doing before summer.

How I can help

The Technical follow-up is individually quoted after the Initial assessment only when complexity, changes to observe or successive decisions justify it. Visits, deliverables and included discussions are agreed in writing. Follow-up is not compulsory.

Find out more: services and prices, your second home when you live abroad and who does what for a house from abroad. All guides: owner’s guides for Brittany.

Frequently asked questions

Should I turn off the water in my holiday home over winter?

Yes. It is the most effective protection against water damage, and some insurance policies require it during long absences. Keep only what must stay on (a heating circuit, for example) and have it checked regularly.

What temperature should I leave the heating on?

Frost protection is enough to prevent freezing. On the coast, the real issue is damp: depending on the house, it can help to keep certain rooms a little warmer or to run a dehumidifier. It is a decision to make house by house.

How often should someone check the house?

Every two to four weeks in normal conditions, and after every wind warning. Also check what your insurance policy requires.

Is an empty house covered by my insurance?

It depends on the policy. Many set specific conditions beyond a certain period without occupation. Read the clause and ask your insurer what they expect, ideally in writing.

Let’s talk about your house

A first conversation, with no commitment, to plan your house’s winter. Get in touch or call +33 6 87 41 10 74. I speak English.