French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

Planning a dream, not a nightmare: Everything you need to know about planning permits before renovating in France!

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 episodeService-Public – Official French government guidance on planning and permitsLocal mairie – First point of contact for planning rules and applicationsPLU (Plan Local d’Urbanisme) – Local planning framework for each communeGéoportail – National mapping tool showing zoning, flood risk and boundariesMini glossary: French planning termsPLU (Plan Local d’Urbanisme) – Local planning rules set by the communeDéclaration Préalable (DP) – Simplified planning permission for certain worksPermis de Construire – Full planning permission for larger projectsCertificat d’Urbanisme (CU) – Document confirming development rightsBâtiments de France (ABF) – Authority overseeing protected and historic areasAffichage de permis – Mandatory on-site display of planning approvalConnect:Facebook | InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.comFind 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 WrightMusic: Grand Project

French Reno Diaries - Rants & Bants! (The one where Rosie slips on her Riot Women shoes)

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 episodeNasio Trust – UK charity supporting communities in Kenya through housing and education projectsFacebook 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 lifeMini glossary (for new renovators in France)Devis – a formal written quote for worksArtisan – a qualified tradesperson operating in FranceTVA – French VAT BTP – ‘Bâtiment et travaux publics’ (the French construction and public works sector)ConnectFacebook | InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.comMaison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

Why insurance IS worth the paper it's written on (despite what you're being told on Facebook)

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 episodeService 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 termsAttestation 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 | InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.comFind 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 WrightMusic: Grand Project

French Reno Diaries - Rants & Bants! (The one where Sue sticks it to the man who bought a village)

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 episodeWhy 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 episodeHelp! I Bought a Village – TV series following a large-scale renovation projectFrench renovation TV & YouTube shows – inspiration, but not instruction manualsFacebook renovation groups – shared experiences (advice should be verified)Mini glossary (for new renovators in France)Devis – a formal written quote for worksArtisan – a qualified tradesperson in FranceMairie – the local town hall; key for local rules and adminMicro-entrepreneur – a small-business status in France (with legal limits)ConnectFacebook | InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.comFind 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 WrightMusic: Grand Project

The reality behind the dream: What YouTube and TV shows don't tell you about renovating in France

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 SunNew Life in the SunThe episode also references several renovation-focused YouTube channels:Chateau de PurnonHow to Renovate a ChateauOh No Another ChateauHelpful resources mentioned:Service Public – Official French government informationFrenchEntrée – English-language resource for living and renovating in FranceLeroy Merlin & Brico Depot – In-store advice, materials and specification sheetsLocal mairie offices and professional artisans for accurate guidanceFacebook 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 | InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter: https://frenchrenodiaries.substack.com/Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.comFind 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 WrightMusic: Grand Project