ABSTRACT
The chapter provides a better understanding of the role second home owners play within the dynamic of touristic coastal territories. Second homes play a major part in the growing economic and demographic pressures on coastal areas, primarily because of their number. In many cities, not only do second homes form an important part of the housing stock, but they are also a significant form of tourist accommodation and economic contribution. Second homes owners are a hybrid population: somewhere between inhabitants and tourists, they are an example of new arts of dwelling and mobility in our modern societies. They are also a subject of considerable debate and controversy. We assume that, far from being “secondary”, this population takes a full part in their territory’s dynamics, especially in coastal and touristic zones. This research is based on a methodological reflection in order to launch a pioneering study about second homes owners’ habits in Charente-Maritime, the second most important tourist region in France in terms of visits. This chapter focuses on the coastal territories studied in 2013.
