A groundbreaking housing initiative in Tarnos, Landes, has launched, featuring accessible apartments, a cooperative restaurant, workshops, and community gardens. The Grândola residence, comprising 108 units, addresses social housing needs with 33 social rentals and 75 ownership options. With a budget of 27 million euros, prices are significantly lower than the market average. Residents actively participated in shaping the project, which emphasizes sustainability and community engagement, while the town aims to increase its social housing stock to 25% by 2027.
Welcome to a revolutionary housing initiative in Tarnos, located in the picturesque Landes region, where accessible apartments, a cooperative restaurant, DIY workshops, vegetable gardens, and a rooftop offering stunning ocean views are now a reality. This ambitious participatory and solidarity housing project is addressing the pressing social housing needs of the area, marking a significant step forward in community living.
After two and a half years of dedicated construction, the Grândola residence has begun welcoming its first residents, even as finishing touches are being applied to the shared spaces.
The development comprises three buildings strategically situated near the town hall in this historically communist enclave of southern Landes. It features a total of 108 housing units, including 33 social rental apartments managed by the departmental social landlord XL Habitat, and 75 units available for ownership through a real estate lease (BRS) facilitated by the Workers’ Housing Committee (COL) based in Anglet (Pyrénées-Atlantiques).
With a budget of 27 million euros, this project showcases an average selling price of 2,840€/m², which is an impressive 45% below the prevailing market rates, complemented by an anti-speculation clause for future resales.
– Community Engagement and Workshops –
Maryline Perronne, director of XL Habitat, emphasizes the collaborative spirit of this venture: “We took this leap together with the town hall.” The partnership with COL was established through a Civil Society of Construction Sale (SCCV).
Imed Robbana, the general director of COL, shares the vision for future expansion, stating, “With two upcoming phases of social residences planned, we will exceed 300 housing units, making this one of the largest participatory projects in France—an unprecedented achievement.”
The name Grândola pays homage to the anthem of the Carnation Revolution, celebrating the unity of residents in a Portuguese city that shares a bond with Tarnos. Future inhabitants participated actively in the project, thanks to the Toulouse cooperative Faire Ville.
Benoît Quintin, a new resident, expresses his gratitude: “We secured a T4 apartment for 249,000 euros, a far cry from the 350,000 to 400,000 euros typical in the private market—something that was beyond our financial reach.” He looks forward to moving in with his family into an apartment featuring a spacious terrace.
“The participatory approach resonated with me. Over the course of a year and a half, we held around ten meetings to foster neighborly support, engage with the broader community, and conceptualize communal spaces,” he adds.
The ground floor will soon feature a cooperative restaurant, spaces for mobility and DIY projects, along with a cultural room for events like concerts. Notably, the doors will be adorned with art from a recent exhibition on renowned street artist Banksy.
– Embracing Sustainable Urban Growth –
The upper floors boast expansive balconies and terraces, rich with vegetation and equipped with a rainwater collection system. The rooftops will serve various community purposes, including a greenhouse, vegetable gardens, a coworking area, and a snack bar accessible to all.
“This initiative serves as an experimental model where we actively shape our living environment, with the hope that these practices will inspire similar developments throughout the city,” remarks Mayor Marc Mabillet.
Currently, 500 residents in Tarnos are in need of social housing. To meet this demand, the town is planning several new social housing projects. With a recent social mix contract signed with the State, Tarnos aims to elevate its social housing stock from 22% to 25% by 2027.
“The traditional model of individual homes is not sustainable, particularly in light of the zero net land take law (ZAN),” the mayor explains, advocating for a strategy focused on “happy densification.”
Despite the rapid uptake of T2 and T3 apartments in Grândola, there are still seven T4 and T5 units available for sale. Jean-Baptiste Darroquy, sales manager at COL, highlights the need to shift perspectives: “We must encourage families to reconsider their desire for standalone houses. With spacious private terraces and communal green areas, this feels just like home.”