1 April 2026
Opening your second home for the summer: the complete checklist
After several months of absence, a house cannot simply be unlocked and inhabited. Pool, air conditioning, linen, provisions — here is how to arrive to a home that is perfectly ready, with no unpleasant surprises.
Summer is approaching, and with it the desire to return to your Provençal property. But between last year's departure and this first return, your home has been left to itself. A successful opening requires preparation — ideally arranged from a distance, with the assistance of a local concierge service.
One to two months before: technical checks
This is the time to commission a first inspection visit. We check the general condition of the roof and facades after winter, the proper functioning of the air conditioning system before the summer heat, and the state of the pool — disinfection, restarting the filtration, balancing the pH. In Provence, a pool left without winter maintenance turns green within weeks under the May sunshine.
Two weeks before: the thorough clean
Complete ventilation, dusting of shutters and blinds, laundering of all household linen — sheets, towels, outdoor cushions. A home that smells stale on arrival, even for just a few hours, immediately diminishes the joy of returning.
The day before: provisions and final details
Essential provisions in the refrigerator, fresh flowers, shutters left slightly ajar so that the house reaches a comfortable temperature by the time you arrive. These small details make the difference between a home you inhabit and accommodation you merely move into.
The day itself: arriving with nothing left to do
The ideal is to push the door open and have only one thing to do: set down your luggage and open a bottle of rosé. This is precisely what we arrange for our clients.
Would you like to delegate the summer opening of your property? Share your dates with us and we will take care of the rest.