The Rabbit Always Has Three Burrows
In Chinese culture, a proverb states that a wise rabbit always has three burrows.
This seemingly simple image is based on a profound idea: never rely on a single place, a single resource, or a single option.
For centuries, this philosophy has guided families concerned with protecting their wealth, their freedom, and their future. Today, in a world where economic, geopolitical, and professional balances are rapidly evolving, this approach has never seemed more relevant.
Applied to real estate, it invites us to rethink how we build wealth.
The first burrow is that of stability: the primary residence.
The second is that of quality of life: the vacation home.
The third is that of anticipation: a pied-à-terre in another region, another city, or another country, offering new opportunities and an additional layer of security.
The most discerning investors no longer seek only to acquire square meters. They build anchors. They create options. They organize their future freedom.
What if true real estate wealth ultimately consisted, like the rabbit, in having several refuges rather than just one?
Example of Wealth Diversification Through the "Three Burrows" Principle
Example 1: The Paris-Based Executive
At 45 years old, Marc owns:
🐇 Burrow #1: His Primary Residence in Paris
Family apartment in Le Marais
Value: €1,500,000
Purpose: daily life, stability, and family security
🐇 Burrow #2: His Vacation Home
Seaside property on the French Riviera
Value: €900,000
Purpose: holidays, remote work, and family legacy
🐇 Burrow #3: His Strategic Pied-à-Terre
Apartment in New York
Value: €750,000
Purpose: business travel, geographic diversification, and exposure to the U.S. dollar
Total real estate portfolio: €3,150,000
His assets are spread across:
Paris
The French Riviera
The United States
As a result, he is no longer dependent on a single real estate market.
Example 2: A More Accessible Version
🐇 Burrow #1
Primary residence in Versailles
Value: €650,000
🐇 Burrow #2
Apartment in Le Touquet
Value: €280,000
🐇 Burrow #3
Studio apartment in Lisbon
Value: €220,000
Total portfolio value: €1,150,000
The underlying strategy remains the same:
a place to live,
a place to enjoy,
a foothold abroad.
Example 3: The Jeanson Properties Vision
🐇 Burrow #1A Haussmann-style apartment in Paris.
🐇 Burrow #2A villa in Normandy or Brittany or SOF
🐇 Burrow #3An apartment in Dubai, Monaco, Miami, or another international hub, providing access to different economic and tax environments.
This type of portfolio structure has become increasingly common among entrepreneurs, business leaders, and internationally minded families.
The Three Burrows Philosophy
The first burrow protects your present.
The second enhances your quality of life.
The third prepares your future.
That is often where true wealth strategy begins.
Caroline Jeanson
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