PHOTOS: Renovations to our maison de maître have made us YouTube stars in France Rebecca and Jack Jenkins fell in love with a dilapidated property in Charente, south western France, and fixing it up brought an added bonus
How I revived the rusty railings at our old French farmhouse Columnist Nick Inman explains how an inventive use of copper tubing gave his garden wall a new lease of life
What repairing our French farmhouse taught me about tiling Tuile canal can be seen across the rooftops of central France, but can be notoriously tricky to repair
practical French state watchdog recommends grants to stop house drought cracks More should be done to prevent damage from climate change, it says
Must I declare an en-suite shower room to French tax authorities? Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
Why are rural French houses so cheap? Lack of demand by the French for countryside lifestyle, and state of properties are among the reasons
US-French couple give up on ‘frustrating’ home renovation grant The couple in Bordeaux were eventually told they had ‘done everything wrong’ when trying to access the government’s MaPrimeRénov’ scheme
Can I build on shared wall between neighbour’s and my French property? Shared walls exist in both rural and urban areas and do not need to be a certain length or made from specific materials
How I converted €45,000 French ruin into high-end home The property has undergone complete renovation, including bespoke stained glass windows
Tips to avoid energy renovation scams in France after warning issued The government’s consumer protection branch shares examples of typical complaints it receives and how to spot fraudsters
Boost for homeowners as France pours €300m extra into eco grant scheme MaPrimeRénov provides financial aid for those planning environmentally friendly home improvements
‘No sense’ to exempt old stone homes from EU energy rules, says MEP But couple blame ‘absurdly low’ energy rating for buyers pulling out of French farmhouse sale
Old rural homes should be exempt from EU energy plan says French group Green directive being prepared could hit value of character properties
Quirky property: Family turn laboratory into cut-price home near Paris Change of use needed and a flood risk - how a 1980s lab offered a cheaper way to set up home in the French capital’s suburbs Make sense of new energy audits for property in France France ups aid for geothermal heat pumps to minimum of €5,000 for all French renovation: Bell tower collapse is a chance to ring the changes
Couple warn of French renovation grant ‘frustrations’ The Vintner family lost out on aid worth €1,280 for double glazing in their home after signing for the installation before getting formal approval Can we modify porch plans in France without reapplying for permission? France ‘lagging behind’ in age-proofing homes as aid scheme announced Paris sells French chateau and holiday village for just over €200,000 France to launch new aid to age-proof homes from 2024 3D houses, ugly extensions: Five updates for property owners in France
Dordogne couple uncover history of French home 20 years after purchase They were too busy renovating the building to trace its history, but the Parisian-style house in the country held secrets of a local boy-done-good
Property search led to 12th Century chateau in France’s Loire Valley Dutch couple Paul and Sandra Las van Bennekom thought they would never find the perfect property for their gite dream until they saw Château de la Preuille
If derelict French barns get roof grants, why not our houses? There are European farming grants for barn roofs and French government grants for insulation and boilers but frustratingly no help to replace the roof on your home in France, writes Samantha David
Can new residents in France obtain a property renovation grant? ‘MaPrimeRénov’ grant programme was launched by the French government to improve the energy efficiency of homes. We explain eligibility for new residents
Renovation aid, septic tank court case: Five French property updates Our weekly roundup of French real estate and property news, including issues with the MaPrimeRénov’ grant
French property news: Our January 2022 round-up From hemp-covered houses to affordable housing schemes and a green renovation grant…Our pick of recent news and updates for property owners and tenants
DIY tips for French farmhouse renovation: Where to get help? Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about where to find DIY advice
DIY tips for French farmhouse renovation: respect the basics Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about mixing DIY with creativity
New French site makes finding an architect easy Finding an architect when you need one for planning permission for house restoration projects can be frustrating.
Rural French property prices to rise post-lockdown? Ever keen to spot a bargain, buyers were keeping a close eye on the property market during confinement. Many are expecting a post-lockdown dip in prices and are prepared to wait to get a better deal.
Planning permission in France : sample letter Here is a suggested sample letter for contesting planning permission using a recours gracieux (letter to the mairie).
French manoir restoration could win ‘historic’ status A single-handed restoration of a 14th-century manoir has been done to such a standard that the building and the complex around it are heading for monument historique status.
Posting up planning permission notice in France I am having an extension built and understand I have to post up a planning notice. Is there anything to be aware of?
French farmhouse renovation - roof window Nick Inman charts the ups and downs ofdoing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Fitting a roof window need not be a hole lot of trouble
Last chance to claim eco-friendly cash for French home Many better-off households are likely to lose their eligibility for the long-standing system of tax credits for eco-friendly home improvements and renovations next year – so if affected you may want to undertake work while 2019 lasts.
French farmhouse renovation - November 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Plastic fantastic plumbing
French farmhouse renovation - April 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, he explains the trick to understanding how an old house was built
French farmhouse renovation - May 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, he talks candidly about sanitary issues and the dirty secret of a septic tank owner
French farmhouse renovation - August 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: the secret life of French shutters
French farmhouse renovation - September 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Know your roof - and understand its philosophy
Owning a French monument historique has its advantages If you want to buy a chateau, you will need to know the rules and regulations – but also the financial rewards – of monument historique status.
Can I get grant for new fosse at French home? We need to replace our fosse septique . Is it possible to get a grant for all or part of the work? M.J.
French ruin château Rothschild to be restored to glory The 19th century château Rothschild, in the Paris suburbs, and which once belonged to a banker to Napoleon III, is to be restored to its original state after lying derelict for almost 40 years.
Facade renovation for our home in France We have been told it is a legal requirement to “upgrade” the facade of our home in France every 15 years. Is this right?
€1 insulation offer is real but be wary IF you own a home in France, it is highly likely that you will have received promotional leaflets, emails or cold calls from companies offering home insulation for €1.
What can I have an eco tax credit for? What home improvements are now eligible for a tax credit? It seems to have changed a lot recently. G.T.
Extra help for green renovations at French home Financial help to carry out energy-saving renovation work has been improved.
Seek answers to restoration queries and ye shall find Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, the difference between a renovation and a restoration
Unauthorised work can be approved in France Those long-ago home improvements could come back to bite you when you decide to sell if you did not get planning permission.
How to decide if you should do it yourself Thinking about having work done on your home? The first, most crucial, question is: can you do it yourself? The second question is: should you, or would it be wiser to call a professional?
DIY in France: ladders and scaffolding Mistakes and ladders... building a new life as a budding artisan. Some buyers fear renovation but others welcome it... our writer Nick Inman has a foot in both camps, as he tells in this first of a series of articles
Green efficiency tax credit move delayed Plans to change the CITE tax credit for energy efficiency renovations into a grant have been delayed by a year, so residents must still apply for a credit.
A home AND a concert venue? That’ll do nicely American-British classical pianist Kit Armstrong has no particular religious attachment, but the practical possibilities of living in a church attracted him and his mother, May, when the idea was first put to them.
We want to install a Jacuzzi or hot tub in our garden Can you tell me the rules and does it need a safety cover? G.S.
Low-rate loans to ease renovations Anyone planning home improvements such as a garden workshop, new kitchen or rewiring a house can get a loan for up to €75,000 with lower-than-normal interest rates through a prêt travaux or crédit travaux .
Hallelujah! How French churches are converting house hunters who are prepared to see the light Religious buildings in France are an increasingly common sight on the property market as the Catholic Church sells off properties that are no longer greatly used and are expensive to maintain.
Historic change for exterior insulation law Minister agrees to ease regulations after protests that historic buildings would be damaged
A few home truths about renovations gone wrong We speak to three sets of people about how their renovation dreams quickly turned to nightmares and look at ways you can avoid it happening to you