Maison Passage

Today, projects are still a family affair: Yann’s wife, Naoko, an architect-designer, conceived and executed all the renovation plans. Together, they spent a year and a half renovating the white House, with its typical Breton style. Their goal? To respect local architecture, simplicity, and raw materials. Unable to alter the exteriors—since the area is UNESCO-listed—they completely revamped the interior: all walls were brought down, large windows were installed facing the garden and river to enjoy the views and bring sunlight into the house. A successful gamble! Thanks to its eastward orientation, every morning brings the first rays of sunlight into the kitchen while sipping coffee. In the evenings, the sun illuminates the end of the garden where oysters are enjoyed by the water’s edge.

After reimagining the white House, it was time to construct L’Atelier, a black wooden annex that nods to the oyster huts of Ria, featuring raw concrete and workshop-style glass windows. Two houses, two distinct atmospheres, yet both deeply connected to the sea and surrounding nature!

Inspired by the seaside, Naoko and Yann chose a palette of terrazzo and oak, complemented by light blues and creams. To furnish and decorate Maison Passage, the discerning couple opted for vintage finds. The first vintage pieces they purchased were the Flex chairs, spotted in a shop in Montmartre about a decade ago and kept in mind for their future hotel-like home.

Almost all of the furniture was thrifted and then rewired, sanded, painted, or reupholstered by them. ‘We love the stories and character behind each piece of furniture. Thrifting takes time; you have to be very patient!’ Their favorite spots for thrifting in Brittany include La Ressourcerie in Crach, community swaps and flea markets, and the boutique ‘Une place pour chaque chose’ in Carnac. A few new pieces also found their way into the house: the Tense pendant lights from New Works in the dining room by designers Panter & Tourron, and the Rope chair by the Bouroullec brothers. As proponents of utility, nothing is superfluous in their home!

Being Breton through and through, Yann is perfectly placed to offer tips to vacationers: ‘In the summer, we open everything up, living between the garden and the beach where we surf. It’s a children’s paradise with plenty of space to run around.’ To explore the area, hop on one of the three bicycles available for rent and take the route from Trinité-sur-Mer to Carnac along the coast. With the sound of seagulls and the salty sea air, pedal your way, working up a sweat before enjoying a well-deserved crepe in the town center.

From clam digging to walks along the wild coast of Quiberon, activities around Maison Passage are plentiful! Further afield, take a boat trip to Belle-Île-en-Mer or the island of Houat, making sure not to forget the picnic. Make the most of it because time flies here!