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.
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frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

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: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

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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Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

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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Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com

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: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com