TyMelo

A Pedigreed Beach House on Brittany’s Wild Coast

A modern beach house, five minutes from the water on Brittany’s dunes of Keremma, this house doubles as a woodsy retreat, a big, contemporary cabin set amid local cypress trees. The centenary trees shield the property from the winds blowing in off the Atlantic, and the landscape gets its lyrical name from Emma Rousseau, wife of the dunes’ original owner, Louis Rousseau. Ker means “the domaine of” in local Breton dialect, and Emma’s descendants still hold title to most of the dunes' homes.

A trio of structures, one detached, combine to create the residence and the garage, surrounded by an elevated deck for dining, lounging and sunning. Four bedrooms, three doubles and a delightful kids’ room under the eaves, offer simple, bright furnishings with work and play spaces, while the contemporary common areas fill the home’s lower level, punctuated by a glass-enclosed sunroom. The living room has a fireplace for cooler times of year.

Around

Located 3 ½ hours from Paris by train and about five hours by car, TyMelo is situated in one of the wildest parts of Brittany, in the North Finistere region. The house is set in the woods of the dunes, a five-minute walk or bike ride to the dunes and beach. The sands here are white and secluded, private-feeling spaces enjoyed by generations of families who own homes in the area. The coast is a protected zone, preventing development, and Atlantic winds make the beaches here one of France’s top kitesurfing locations. Wave surfers can put in on Dossen beach, about 20 minutes’ drive from the house, a spot that’s gentle enough for beginning surfers and loved by experienced riders.

Day trips nearby include Batz island, accessible by a ferry from the village of Roscoff, or a visit to Plouguerneau, famed for its sunsets and oysters. The oysters from Maison Legris are consistently ranked among the best in France, so sought after that they supply France’s presidential palace. Brittany’s farmers markets are picturesque and abundant, with several nearby, including the Friday morning market in Brignogan, Saturday in Plouescat or in Lesneven Monday mornings.

Location

Keremma, Brittany, France. Nearest airport: Brest (1 hour), Paris (3.5 hours by train, 5 hours by car)

Best time to visit

April to October