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.

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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

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

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