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French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

De : Rosie Ellis Micala Wilkins and Sue Peake-Russell
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French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED is your honest, no-fluff guide to renovating, restoring, and surviving property projects in France.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned renovator, or just dreaming of owning property in France, we provide real stories, insider tips, and actionable advice to help you avoid mistakes, save money, and navigate your renovation journey with confidence.

From understanding French planning laws and insurance requirements to choosing the right people for the job when you haven't got the skills, time or qualifications to 'do it yourself', you'll find it here. And if you like hanging out with us, you can join us in between the 'meaty' shows for our 'rants and bants' episodes - where we get everything off our chests, no holds barred!

Hosted by Rosie, Micala and Sue - three women who, along with their partners and husbands run trade-related businesses here in France and have completed a fair few renovation projects of their own - expect honest advice, plenty of laughs and a few WTF moments.

Get more French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED!

Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite listening app.

Find downloadable guides based on each in-depth episode and sign up for the newsletter at our website- frenchrenodiaries.com

And join the French Reno Diaries community by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Rosie Ellis 2025
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    Épisodes
    • Why insurance IS worth the paper it's written on (despite what you're being told on Facebook)
      Jan 27 2026

      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
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      1 h et 1 min
    • French Reno Diaries - Rants & Bants! (The one where Sue sticks it to the man who bought a village)
      Jan 23 2026

      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
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      25 min
    • The reality behind the dream: What YouTube and TV shows don't tell you about renovating in France
      Jan 20 2026

      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
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      51 min
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