French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

Rosie Ellis, Micala Wilkins and Sue Peake-Russell
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  • HOME & GARDEN

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.

Episodes

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

    1D AGO

    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 Sun The episode also references several renovation-focused YouTube channels: Chateau de PurnonHow to Renovate a ChateauOh No Another Chateau Helpful 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 | 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 WrightMusic: Grand Project

    51 min
  2. Why budgets blow: The brutal truth about renovation costs in France

    JAN 13

    Why budgets blow: The brutal truth about renovation costs in France

    In this episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED, we tackle one of the biggest and most emotionally charged topics for anyone renovating in France: money. Specifically, why renovation budgets so often blow out, why DIY is not always the saving people think it is, and why French renovation costs feel so shocking if you arrive with UK (or other overseas) expectations. Resources & tools mentioned in this episode Artisan Central – pre-checked trades directory and homeowner resource covering devis, insurance and renovation planningCapeb – French construction trade association with an online directory of registered trades by regionBricoCash – DIY and building materials retailer (mentioned in the context of lower-quality materials)Howdens France - the French version of UK kitchen suppliers, Howdens. Glossary (French terms used in this episode that might be new to you) Devis – a legally binding quote and contract between a homeowner and a tradeDécennale / assurance décennale – mandatory ten-year insurance covering structural workTVA – French value-added tax applied to labour and materialsMicro-entrepreneur (ME) – self-employed business status in FranceSIRET number – official business registration numberAttestation d’assurance – proof of insurance coverageCotisations – mandatory social charges paid by French businessesMairie – local town hallMaison secondaire – second homeERP – regulations for buildings open to the publicNotaire – public official handling property sales and legal transfer 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 WrightMusic: Grand Project

    52 min
  3. Our uncensored French renovation stories - and what we wish we'd done differently

    JAN 6

    Our uncensored French renovation stories - and what we wish we'd done differently

    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 life Resources & 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 owners Glossary (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 hall 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) Artisan Central Credits: Produced & mixed by: Katy WrightMusic: Grand Project

    55 min
  4. French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED - the trailer

    SEASON 1 TRAILER

    French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED - the trailer

    Wondering what you can expect from French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED? We made this trailer just for you. If you like what you hear, follow the podcast on your favourite listening app to be sure you don't miss an episode.

    2 min

Trailer

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Rosie Ellis, Micala Wilkins and Sue Peake-Russell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rosie Ellis 2025
  • Show Website
    French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED