French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED – Details, episodes & analysis

In this first episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED, we - Rosie, Micala and Sue - share our own French renovation journeys. No TV edits, no rose-tinted fantasies - just the raw, honest truth about buying, renovating, and surviving building projects in France.

Between us, we’ve renovated multiple properties across Brittany, Burgundy, the Gers and beyond. We talk about what drew us to France, the mistakes we made early on, and the lessons we learned the hard way.

What we talk about in this episode:

• Why renovating in France takes far longer than you expect
• Renting before buying — and why it can save you financially and emotionally
• Buying renovation properties with no savings (and how we made it work)
• Living in houses without heating, floors or proper plumbing
• How a house will “tell you” what it needs - if you listen
• The dangers of DIY electrics and non-compliant fittings in France
• Why tradespeople’s own houses are never finished
• The difference between renovation fantasy and real French life

Resources & tools mentioned in this episode:

• Le Bon Coin – France’s main second-hand marketplace, widely used for sourcing renovation materials such as tiles, staircases and wood burners
• Greenacres – UK-facing French property portal used to find renovation properties
• Crédit Agricole – French bank mentioned in relation to mortgages and lending requirements for new business owners

Glossary (French terms used in this episode that might be new to you):

• Micro-entrepreneur – French self-employed business status
• Diagnostics immobiliers – mandatory property reports when selling
• Fosse septique – septic tank system
• Épandage – soakaway drainage system
• Mairie – local town hall

Connect:

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Artisan Central

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright
• Music: Grand Project

Wondering what you can expect from French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED? We made this trailer just for you. If you like what you hear, follow the podcast on your favourite listening app to be sure you don't miss an episode.

In this episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED, we tackle one of the biggest and most emotionally charged topics for anyone renovating in France: money. Specifically, why renovation budgets so often blow out, why DIY is not always the saving people think it is, and why French renovation costs feel so shocking if you arrive with UK (or other overseas) expectations.

Resources & tools mentioned in this episode

• Artisan Central – pre-checked trades directory and homeowner resource covering devis, insurance and renovation planning
• Capeb – French construction trade association with an online directory of registered trades by region
• BricoCash – DIY and building materials retailer (mentioned in the context of lower-quality materials)
• Howdens France - the French version of UK kitchen suppliers, Howdens.

Glossary (French terms used in this episode that might be new to you)

• Devis – a legally binding quote and contract between a homeowner and a trade
• Décennale / assurance décennale – mandatory ten-year insurance covering structural work
• TVA – French value-added tax applied to labour and materials
• Micro-entrepreneur (ME) – self-employed business status in France
• SIRET number – official business registration number
• Attestation d’assurance – proof of insurance coverage
• Cotisations – mandatory social charges paid by French businesses
• Mairie – local town hall
• Maison secondaire – second home
• ERP – regulations for buildings open to the public
• Notaire – public official handling property sales and legal transfer

Connect:

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://frenchrenodiaries.substack.com/

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright
• Music: Grand Project

In this episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED, Rosie, Michaela and Sue pull back the curtain on reality TV renovation shows and glossy YouTube channels - and compare them with what actually happens on real renovation projects in France.

TV shows mentioned:

• Escape to the Chateau (now known as Chateau DIY)
• A Place in the Sun
• New Life in the Sun

The episode also references several renovation-focused YouTube channels:

• Chateau de Purnon
• How to Renovate a Chateau
• Oh No Another Chateau

Helpful resources mentioned:

• Service Public – Official French government information
• FrenchEntrée – English-language resource for living and renovating in France
• Leroy Merlin & Brico Depot – In-store advice, materials and specification sheets
• Local mairie offices and professional artisans for accurate guidance
• Facebook groups (use with caution — advice is often mixed!)

Listener comments: Thanks to Anna, Helen and Claire from our Facebook community for sharing their experiences and insights - we loved reading your comments and comparing them to what we see on TV renovation shows.

Connect:

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://frenchrenodiaries.substack.com/

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright
• Music: Grand Project

Rants & Bants episodes are informal, off-the-cuff chats - think of them like secretly recorded calls. Less polish, more spontaneity - but always insightful!

What we discuss in this episode

• Why renovation TV and YouTube often create unrealistic expectations (for a deeper dive into this topic, listen to Episode #3: The reality behind the dream: What YouTube and TV shows don't tell you about renovating in France.
• The hidden realities behind “cheap” French properties and big renovation dreams.
• Awkward truths about quotes, costs and why trades need to make a profit (for more about costs, listen to Episode #2 Why budgets blow: The brutal truth about renovation costs in France).
• Common misconceptions about setting up hospitality or renovation-led businesses in France, and what gets overlooked in the excitement phase.

Resources and shows mentioned in the episode

• Help! I Bought a Village – TV series following a large-scale renovation project
• French renovation TV & YouTube shows – inspiration, but not instruction manuals
• Facebook renovation groups – shared experiences (advice should be verified)

Mini glossary (for new renovators in France)

• Devis – a formal written quote for works
• Artisan – a qualified tradesperson in France
• Mairie – the local town hall; key for local rules and admin
• Micro-entrepreneur – a small-business status in France (with legal limits)

Connect

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright
• Music: Grand Project

If you’re renovating a property in France, chances are you’ve heard the term assurance décennale - along with claims that's it's not worth the paper it's written on. In this episode, Rosie, Sue and Micala explain why it most certainly IS!

There’s are lots of details you'll want to remember, so we’ve pulled everything together into a clear, written guide on our website: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Resources mentioned in the episode

• Service Public - the official French government website for rules on construction, insurance and homeowner responsibilities.
• Your local mairie - a key point of contact for renovation rules, declarations and local requirements.
• Qualified French artisans - always ask for a valid attestation d’assurance décennale before work starts - and check it covers the work being done.
• Architects / maîtres d’œuvre - particularly useful for larger renovations, structural work or coordinating multiple trades.
• Facebook renovation groups - helpful for shared experiences, but advice should always be verified.

Mini Glossary: Key French insurance terms

• Attestation d’assurance - the insurance certificate you must check before work begins.
• Assurance décennale - a mandatory 10-year insurance held by professionals.
• Garantie décennale - the 10-year legal guarantee that applies once work is completed and signed off.
• Garantie de parfait achèvement (1 year) - covers defects reported within the first year after completion.
• Garantie biennale (2 years) - covers fixtures and equipment such as heating systems.
• Réception de travaux - the formal sign-off of completed work (this triggers all guarantees).
• Assurance dommage-ouvrage - omeowner insurance that pays for repairs quickly while insurers sort out liability.

Connect:

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright
• Music: Grand Project

What are you really paying for when you hire an artisan in France? Why do two quotes for the same work look so different? How much profit do artisans make on renovation work?

If you're asking yourself (or Google) these questions, you'll find all the answers here!

In this Rants & Bants episode, Rosie, Sue and Micala talk openly about the realities of running trade businesses in France - and what homeowners often misunderstand about how those businesses work (spoiler: we’re not milking you for all you’re worth and driving around in Ferraris).

We also hear about Sue's upcoming adventure in Kenya, where she’ll be building a mud hut for a family. Please consider supporting the project via Sue’s Just Giving page - even the smallest contribution will help provide tools, classroom resources, hot meals, and support for families who have so little.

👂If the money-talk in this episode grabbed your attention, make sure you listen to Episode #2 Why budgets blow: The brutal truth about renovation costs in France.

Resources mentioned in the episode

• Nasio Trust – UK charity supporting communities in Kenya through housing and education projects
• Facebook expat and renovation groups – places where renovation questions are often asked (and misinformation spreads)
• Riot Women (BBC One) – TV series about women finding their voice later in life

Mini glossary (for new renovators in France)

• Devis – a formal written quote for works
• Artisan – a qualified tradesperson operating in France
• TVA – French VAT
• BTP – ‘Bâtiment et travaux publics’ (the French construction and public works sector)

Connect

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Planning rules can make or break a French renovation. So, in this episode, we unpack how planning permits in France actually work, why the mairie should always be your first stop - and what can go wrong if it isn’t!

If you’re renovating (or thinking about buying) property in France, this episode will help you avoid expensive mistakes, delays and legal headaches.

We’ve also pulled the key concepts, definitions and resources together in written form on our website, so you can revisit the details whenever you need to.

*** www.frenchrenodiaries.com ***

Resources mentioned in the episode

• Service-Public – Official French government guidance on planning and permits
• Local mairie – First point of contact for planning rules and applications
• PLU (Plan Local d’Urbanisme) – Local planning framework for each commune
• Géoportail – National mapping tool showing zoning, flood risk and boundaries

Mini glossary: French planning terms

• PLU (Plan Local d’Urbanisme) – Local planning rules set by the commune
• Déclaration Préalable (DP) – Simplified planning permission for certain works
• Permis de Construire – Full planning permission for larger projects
• Certificat d’Urbanisme (CU) – Document confirming development rights
• Bâtiments de France (ABF) – Authority overseeing protected and historic areas
• Affichage de permis – Mandatory on-site display of planning approval

Connect:

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright
• Music: Grand Project

In this Rants & Bants episode (our shorter, more spontaneous, but always - okay, mostly - reno focused chats), we get all het up about everything from being ghosted after sending detailed quotes, to Facebook “expert” opinions on pricing, to the realities of buying and flipping property in today’s French property market. Most importantly though, we discuss Mr Kipling cakes and Burger King. Plus, the chic brackets we're importing from Poland...

Resources mentioned:

• The Connexion – English-language newspaper covering French news and current affairs
• Leroy Merlin – Major French DIY and renovation retailer
• Brico Dépôt – Budget building supplies chain in France
• Castorama – DIY and home improvement retailer
• Causton – Decorative hardware and electrical fittings supplier

Mini glossary:

• Devis – A formal, legally binding quote
• Artisan – Registered tradesperson
• Attestation d’assurance – Proof of insurance certificate
• Marchand de Bien – Property trader who buys, renovates and resells
• Taxe foncière – Annual French property ownership tax

Connect:

Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright

• Music: Grand Project

What makes a French renovation project run smoothly? And what quietly destroys trust between a homeowner and their artisan? In this episode, we reveal the secret to being a good client in France - and what it's fair to expect from your artisan.

From communication and paperwork to boundaries, payment terms and unrealistic deadlines, we share what actually helps a project succeed (and what makes trades walk away).

If you’re renovating in France and want better results, fewer delays and a more positive working relationship, this episode is essential listening. We’ve also pulled together the key takeaways on our website if you’d like to revisit them.

Resources mentioned:

• Artisan Central – Trade mentoring and marketing platform
• OBAT – French quoting and invoicing software for building trades
• Penny Lane – Accounting software used by French businesses
• Qualibat / RGE – French certification bodies for building professionals

Mini glossary:

• Devis – Formal written quote (legally binding once signed)
• Facture – Invoice
• Décennale – Mandatory 10-year building insurance
• SIRET number – Official French business registration number
• RGE – Government-recognised environmental certification for trades
• Avenant – Written amendment to an existing quote

Connect with us!

Facebook | Instagram

Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Credits:

• Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright

• Music: Grand Project