French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

Thinking about buying a property in France and turning it into a business, such as a chambre d'hôtes, gîte complex, wedding venue or retreat centre?In this episode, we hear from Lisa Clapisson, a former French accountant turned business consultant who's spent years helping people navigate the reality of starting a business in FranceFor a detailed summary of the episode, along with a mini glossary of terms used in the show, head to the French Reno Diaries website and look for episode #19.What we talk about:The biggest mistake people make when buying property in France for businessWhy running a gîte business isn't as easy as it used to beWhy running a business as a 'micro entreprise' is often a very bad ideaWhy running a property-based business in France works better as secondary incomeThe retreat business model and why renting a venue might be wiserThe Capital gains tax implications of running a business from your main residenceThe importance of planning an exit strategy for your businessRenovation tax deductions in France - and why artisan invoices are essentialSCI, SARL, holding companies - choosing the right status for your businessThe most common myth about running a business in France🎁 Exclusive special offer for French Reno Diaries listeners:Haute Gamme Fenêtre is offering a 7% discount to the first customers who order made-to-measure replacement windows and/or doors through either S.R. Charpenterie (Sue's company, based in the Gers) or Maison Bretagne (Rosie's company, in Brittany). Quote FRENCHRENO7 when you get in touch.Resources mentioned:Lisa Clapisson - contact Lisa via her website www.abcaccounting.fr, and get free advice from Lisa on her YouTube channel and Facebook pageChic et Unique Events - Sue and her business partner, Louisa's wedding planning business, which includes wedding venue business consultancy services. Contact them via the Chic et Unique website, Instagram or Facebook.Connect:Facebook | InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.comEmail: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

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

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

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

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 expectRenting before buying — and why it can save you financially and emotionallyBuying renovation properties with no savings (and how we made it work)Living in houses without heating, floors or proper plumbingHow a house will “tell you” what it needs - if you listenThe dangers of DIY electrics and non-compliant fittings in FranceWhy tradespeople’s own houses are never finishedThe difference between renovation fantasy and real French lifeResources & 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 burnersGreenacres – UK-facing French property portal used to find renovation propertiesCrédit Agricole – French bank mentioned in relation to mortgages and lending requirements for new business ownersGlossary (French terms used in this episode that might be new to you):Micro-entrepreneur – French self-employed business statusDiagnostics immobiliers – mandatory property reports when sellingFosse septique – septic tank systemÉpandage – soakaway drainage systemMairie – local town hallConnect:Facebook | InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.comEmail: 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)Artisan CentralCredits:Produced & mixed by: Katy WrightMusic: Grand Project