French Reno Diaries - Renovating in France

French chateau renovation is a *thing* - and in many cases, filming it for YouTube is too. On the surface, it looks like the dream lifestyle. But is it?

In this episode, Rosie and Sue meet Morgan Lawley, an American entrepreneur, former music video director and the creator behind GoGo Chateau - one of the most entertaining chateau renovation YouTube channels out there. And they were NOT disappointed...

For a written 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 #20.

What we talk about:

• Morgan's extraordinary backstory: from LA Laker girl to Janet Jackson music videos
• How Morgan found her chateau - and why she bought it without even seeing it
• The reality of chateau renovation costs in France
• Finding tradespeople in France as a non-French speaker
• The isolation of rural France
• YouTube chateau renovation - the business model and the mean comments
• Ghosts, creepy basements, and the ever present spirit of Henri Latour
• Advice for anyone thinking of buying a chateau in France

Resources mentioned:

• GoGo Chateau on YouTube
• GoGo Chateau on Instagram
• GoGo Chateau on TikTok
• Stephanie Jarvis / The Chateau Diaries

🪟 Special offer for French Reno Diaries listeners:

Renovating in France and need new windows or doors? Haute Gamme Fenêtre is offering a 7% discount to the first listeners 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.

Connect:

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[email protected]

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 France

For 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 business
• Why running a gîte business isn't as easy as it used to be
• Why running a business as a 'micro entreprise' is often a very bad idea
• Why running a property-based business in France works better as secondary income
• The retreat business model and why renting a venue might be wiser
• The Capital gains tax implications of running a business from your main residence
• The importance of planning an exit strategy for your business
• Renovation tax deductions in France - and why artisan invoices are essential
• SCI, SARL, holding companies - choosing the right status for your business
• The 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 page
• Chic 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:

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Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: [email protected]

Ever wondered why your beautifully renovated French property isn't getting the rental return you expected? Or why sourcing affordable decor in France feels so much harder than it should?

Brittany-based, American-born interior architect Christina Rougerie reveals all in conversation with Sue and Rosie.

For 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 #18.

What we talk about:

• Interior architect vs interior decorator in France
• French interior design vs American
• Common French property renovation mistakes expats make
• Renovation for rental and resale in France
• The mid-market decor gap in France
• Decorating on a budget in France
• French-style interior design
• Lighting, layout and colour: essential interior design principles
• Why anthracite grey (RAL 7016) on everything needs to stop!

Resources mentioned:

• Christina Rougerie Design
• Instagram: @christina_perez_rougerie
• La Redoute / AM.PM
• Maison du Monde
• Cdiscount
• Lights.ie
• Plum Living

🎁 Exclusive Plum Living offer for French Reno Diaries listeners

Use the code FRENCHPLUM5 to receive 5 free samples - you just pay €3.50 towards postage. We earn a small commission on orders placed with this code, which helps keep the podcast going. Thank you for your support!

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Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: [email protected]

Thinking of buying a renovation property in France? Before you fall in love with a ruin on the internet, you might want to hear what someone who's been selling French property for 40 years has to say.

Dan Newton - director and co-founder of Agence Newton, the first British person to hold a full real estate licence in Brittany, and the voice behind the popular French Estate Agent YouTube channel - joins Rosie and Sue for a frank, fascinating conversation. From budgeting realities and DPE ratings to 'vice cachée' claims and unlicensed property finders, this one is packed with things you didn't know you needed to know.

For 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 #17.

What we talk about:

• Why two thirds of buyers walk away once they get proper renovation quotes.
• Whether flipping property works in France (spoiler: not really) and the official status that exists if you want to try.
• Location, location, location - why where you buy isn't just about where you want to live.
• DPE ratings explained - what they mean for buyers, sellers, holiday lets and long-term rentals, and why old stone houses are often unfairly penalised.
• The French buying process from start to finish - why the three-month silence is normal and what the 'compromis de vente' actually protects you from.
• Vice cachée - what it actually means legally, and why it's becoming the latest fashion in buyer complaints.
• Why property finders may need a licence too - and what to check before using one.
• AI-generated property adverts and unregulated property portals - what's legal and what isn't.
• Dan's rant: why he'd like to see full structural surveys introduced into the French buying process.
• The ghosting problem - and why it goes both ways between agents and buyers.

Resources mentioned:

• Agence Newton — Dan's estate agency, specialising in English-speaking buyers in west and central France.
• The French Estate Agent on YouTube — Dan's YouTube channel, full of essential advice for buyers.
• French Homes for Sale — Dan's Facebook group, open to private sellers and registered agents; 55,000 members.

Connect:

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Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: [email protected]

Wooden pallets for a bed. A family flannel. A toilet that froze solid. A husband sleeping next to the Rayburn all winter so it didn't go out.

Nobody's Instagram feed is showing you this - but Rosie, Sue and Micala are! In this episode, all three hosts share their own living-on-site stories, and they've asked listeners to do the same. The results are equal parts hilarious, grim and genuinely inspiring.

Expect to come away knowing how to make living on site work - without getting burnt out, destroying your relationship, or going without a wash!

Resources mentioned:

• Renovations in France — the Facebook group where listener comments were gathered for this episode.
• A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle — referenced by a listener as the root cause of many a French renovation pipe dream.

Mini glossary:

• Fosse septique — a septic tank; the standard wastewater treatment system in rural France where mains drainage is unavailable.
• Ratafia — a sweet, fortified fruit liqueur traditional to several French regions, often made by local farmers.
• Rayburn — a range cooker that also provides central heating and hot water; popular in older rural properties but notoriously demanding to keep running.
• Franglais — a casual mix of French and English, often used by anglophones living in France when their vocabulary runs out.
• Lieu-dit — an informal place name used to identify a hamlet or locality in rural France, often used as an address where no street number exists.

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Email: [email protected]

Micala's back - and there's lots to chew over!

In this episode: a Facebook post about deposits that had Micala seething before 4am, the growing crackdown on cash-in-hand work in France, and a very public social media post from some new arrivals that raised more than a few eyebrows. Plus, working from home in your pyjamas, the French social system defended, and a lovely shout-out from a well-respected voice in the renovating-in-France community.

Resources mentioned:

• Renovations in France — Professional tradesman, Peter Gerrit's well-regarded Facebook group.
• Fix Radio — UK radio station and podcast for the trades, referenced during the episode.
• CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) — the French family allowance fund that provides housing and other support.

Mini glossary:

• Devis — a formal written quote that, once signed, forms a binding contract. Should always include payment terms.
• Travail au noir — cash-in-hand work that is undeclared to French tax and social charge authorities. Both the worker and the person employing them can face serious penalties.
• BTP (Bâtiment et Travaux Publics) — the construction and public works sector; one of the top three sectors targeted by French anti-fraud authorities.
• Cotisations sociales — social charges paid by businesses and workers in France, funding healthcare, pensions, unemployment benefit and more.
• CAF — the French family allowance fund, providing housing aid, apprenticeship support and other benefits.
• Mairie — the town hall; local planning and governance authority.

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What do a Bulgarian holiday from hell, a suspicious YouTube arrangement, the rise of eco villages, and an 18% energy bill discount have in common? They're all on the menu in this 'Rants and Bants' episode of French Reno Diaries, brought to you by Rosie and Sue (Micala is off doing charity work - more on that soon).

Resources mentioned:

• A New Life in the Sun - C4 series following people starting new lives across Europe.
• Le Manoir Cachet, Merdrignac - a beautifully renovated manoir in Brittany.
• Label Energy - the green energy supplier Sue mentions as a good alternative to EDF.

Mini glossary:

• Lotissement - a planned housing development where a plot of land is divided up and individual plots sold for self-build. Often referred to as a pavillon lotissement when the houses built are pavillons (standard new-build houses).
• Pavillon - a modern, detached new-build house, typically fairly modest in size and style.
• Pompe à chaleur - an air source or ground source heat pump; a popular and government-subsidised heating system in France. Has been the subject of some mis-selling scandals.
• Mairie - the town hall; the local administrative body responsible for planning permissions and local governance.
• Maison de maître - a large, elegant townhouse or manor house, typically 19th century, associated with the professional or merchant classes.
• Maison de caractère - an estate agent term for a property with distinctive, original period features.

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Email: [email protected]

Think you can save money by managing your own renovation project in France? You might want to listen to this first.

In this episode, Rosie and Sue (Micala is off running a fundraising event - more on that next time) get into the detail on project management: what a professional project manager actually does, what it costs, the legal framework you need to understand as a homeowner in France, and the red flags to watch out for when hiring one. Frank, practical and - as ever - unfiltered.

For a detailed summary of everything discussed in this episode, go to www.frenchrenodiaries.com.

Resources mentioned:

• Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat - the body responsible for artisan accreditation in France.
• URSSAF - the organisation that collects social charges from artisans and businesses in France; issues the attestation de vigilance.
• French Reno Diaries - How to be a good client - referenced during the episode and well worth a listen if you're thinking about managing your own renovation project

Mini glossary:

• Maître d'ouvrage - the project owner; legally remains the homeowner even when a project manager is hired.
• Maître d'œuvre - the project manager; contracted to coordinate and oversee works on the owner's behalf.
• Devis - a formal written quote from an artisan, which becomes the contract once signed.
• Décennale - compulsory ten-year structural liability insurance required of all artisans in France.
• Attestation de vigilance - a certificate from URSSAF confirming an artisan is up to date with their social charge declarations.
• ERP (Établissement Recevant du Public) - classification for any building open to the public, triggering specific fire, safety and accessibility regulations.
• Gîte - a self-catering holiday rental. Chambre d'hôtes - a bed and breakfast.

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Email: [email protected]

Ever watched a YouTube home renovator call themselves an "expert" and felt your eye twitch? You're not alone.

In this week's Rants & Bants (the shorter, free-flowing episodes where Rosie, Sue and Micala get everything off their chests) the hosts take aim at the growing army of self-styled renovation gurus online, question whether Facebook is ever the right place to ask about electrics or insulation, and commiserate over the unique hell of waiting for deliveries in rural France. Will you learn something? Probably. Will you laugh? Without a doubt.

Resources mentioned:

• Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat — the body that accredits artisans in France.
• Leroy Merlin — French DIY and home improvement retailer (mentioned in the context of delivery logistics).
• Colissimo and DPD France — parcel delivery services operating in France.

Mini glossary:

• Artisan — a qualified, registered tradesperson in France. To gain artisan status, three years' experience is required; master craftsman status requires ten years.
• Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat — the French Chamber of Trades and Crafts, which oversees artisan accreditation and apprenticeships.
• Notaire — a French notary; a state-appointed legal professional who oversees property transactions in France.
• DPE (Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique) — an energy performance certificate required for properties in France, which affects resale value and rental eligibility.
• Voliage — the timber sarking boards laid across roof rafters, beneath the roofing felt and tiles.
• Charpente — the roof timber frame/structure.
• Colombage — a traditional half-timbered construction style, common in parts of France, featuring a timber frame with infill panels.
• Torchis — wattle and daub; a traditional building material made from a mix of mud, straw and other natural materials, often used as infill in colombage structures.
• Lodie — a lieu-dit; an informal place name used to identify a hamlet or locality in rural France, often used as an address where no street number exists.

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Email: [email protected]

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

What unique challenges - and opportunities - do women face in the traditionally male-dominated renovation industry?

In this empowering episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED, timed to coincide (almost!) with International Women's Day 2026, Rosie, Sue, and Micala share personal stories and insights in a typically unfiltered and lively discussion.

What we talk about:

• Celebrating women artisans in the renovation sector.
• Misogyny in the construction industry and social media dynamics.
• The importance of creating safe spaces for women to ask questions.
• The impact of visibility in traditionally male-dominated fields.
• Personal stories of navigating challenges as women in trades.
• Initiatives and statistics about women in French construction.
• Strategies for supporting and uplifting fellow women in the industry.

Resources Mentioned:

• International Women's Day
• Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat - French Chamber of Trades and Crafts.
• Le Compagnon du Devoir - An organisation promoting craftsmanship and training.

Mini Glossary:

• Conjugal collaboratrice: A spouse who works with their partner in a business but may not receive formal recognition or compensation.
• CAPEB: Confédération de l'Artisanat et des Petites Entreprises du Bâtiment - a French confederation for artisans in the construction sector.
• Apprenticeship: A system of training where individuals learn a trade under the guidance of experienced professionals.

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Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Email: [email protected]

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