In this series “In the real estate project”, French people have agreed to tell us about their desires for elsewhere or for renewal through a change of place of life. Choices that are sometimes complex to put in place but which also make it possible to make the wildest dreams come true.
Under the sun, the motorboat runs aground directly in the grass of Antoine and Wiktoria's garden. After a few minutes of crossing from the shore of Villennes-sur-Seine (Yvelines), here is the river island of Platais, 1.9 km long, some 150 houses, mainly second homes. It is here that the two thirty-somethings launched their project: renovating a ruin to create a guest room.
The idea took shape in 2020. Just before the first confinement, the couple, who already lived on the island by renting a chalet, bought land through word of mouth. “It was for sale in two parts, with a house in each. We were able to settle down and set up our project next door in order to make our investment profitable,” explains Wiktoria. The detail is important: on the private island, classified as a natural area, construction or expansion is prohibited, only renovation is possible.
Subscribe to read more
Already subscribed? To log in