French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

Ever watched a YouTube home renovator call themselves an "expert" and felt your eye twitch? You're not alone.
In this week's Rants & Bants (the shorter, free-flowing episodes where Rosie, Sue and Micala get everything off their chests) the hosts take aim at the growing army of self-styled renovation gurus online, question whether Facebook is ever the right place to ask about electrics or insulation, and commiserate over the unique hell of waiting for deliveries in rural France. Will you learn something? Probably. Will you laugh? Without a doubt.

Resources mentioned:
Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat — the body that accredits artisans in France.
Leroy Merlin — French DIY and home improvement retailer (mentioned in the context of delivery logistics).
Colissimo and DPD France — parcel delivery services operating in France.

Mini glossary:
Artisan — a qualified, registered tradesperson in France. To gain artisan status, three years' experience is required; master craftsman status requires ten years.
Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat — the French Chamber of Trades and Crafts, which oversees artisan accreditation and apprenticeships.
Notaire — a French notary; a state-appointed legal professional who oversees property transactions in France.
DPE (Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique) — an energy performance certificate required for properties in France, which affects resale value and rental eligibility.
Voliage — the timber sarking boards laid across roof rafters, beneath the roofing felt and tiles.
Charpente — the roof timber frame/structure.
Colombage — a traditional half-timbered construction style, common in parts of France, featuring a timber frame with infill panels.
Torchis — wattle and daub; a traditional building material made from a mix of mud, straw and other natural materials, often used as infill in colombage structures.
Lodie — a 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.

Connect
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Email: [email protected]
Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)
S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)
Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

What unique challenges - and opportunities - do women face in the traditionally male-dominated renovation industry?
In this empowering episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED, timed to coincide (almost!) with International Women's Day 2026, Rosie, Sue, and Micala share personal stories and insights in a typically unfiltered and lively discussion.

What we talk about:
Celebrating women artisans in the renovation sector.
Misogyny in the construction industry and social media dynamics.
The importance of creating safe spaces for women to ask questions.
The impact of visibility in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Personal stories of navigating challenges as women in trades.
Initiatives and statistics about women in French construction.
Strategies for supporting and uplifting fellow women in the industry.

Resources Mentioned:
International Women's Day
Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat - French Chamber of Trades and Crafts.
Le Compagnon du Devoir - An organisation promoting craftsmanship and training.

Mini Glossary:
Conjugal collaboratrice: A spouse who works with their partner in a business but may not receive formal recognition or compensation.
CAPEB: Confédération de l'Artisanat et des Petites Entreprises du Bâtiment - a French confederation for artisans in the construction sector.
Apprenticeship: A system of training where individuals learn a trade under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Connect:
Facebook | Instagram
Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com
Email: [email protected]
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

Win a château? Sounds dreamy. Until you realise you might also need a business plan, a visa renewal strategy and enough income to satisfy the prefecture.
In this Rants & Bants episode, Sue, Rosie and Micala chat about the Win a Château TV show, the realities of post-Brexit life in France, language requirements, titre de séjour delays and yet another heated Facebook debate about décennale insurance.
It’s lighter than our chunky episodes, but if you’re renovating or planning to move to France, there are some important realities woven in.
As always, we’ve pulled together the key points on our website if you’d like to revisit anything - www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Resources mentioned
Château DIY: Win a Château – Channel 4 spin-off competition show
The Connexion – English-language publication covering expat legal issues in France
CAPEB – French trade body representing building professionals

Mini glossary
Décennale – 10-year structural insurance required for artisans
Préfecture – Regional administrative authority handling residency matters
Titre de séjour – Residency card
DCEM – Travel document for minors residing in France
Pompe à chaleur – Heat pump
Raccordement – Connection/fitting (e.g. around a Velux window)
SMIC – French minimum wage threshold used for visa income assessments
Connect:
Facebook | Instagram
Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com
Email: [email protected]
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

What makes a French renovation project run smoothly? And what quietly destroys trust between a homeowner and their artisan? In this episode, we reveal the secret to being a good client in France - and what it's fair to expect from your artisan.
From communication and paperwork to boundaries, payment terms and unrealistic deadlines, we share what actually helps a project succeed (and what makes trades walk away).
If you’re renovating in France and want better results, fewer delays and a more positive working relationship, this episode is essential listening. We’ve also pulled together the key takeaways on our website if you’d like to revisit them.

Resources mentioned:
Artisan Central – Trade mentoring and marketing platform
OBAT – French quoting and invoicing software for building trades
Penny Lane – Accounting software used by French businesses
Qualibat / RGE – French certification bodies for building professionals

Mini glossary:
Devis – Formal written quote (legally binding once signed)
Facture – Invoice
Décennale – Mandatory 10-year building insurance
SIRET number – Official French business registration number
RGE – Government-recognised environmental certification for trades
Avenant – Written amendment to an existing quote

Connect with us!
Facebook | Instagram
Email: [email protected]
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 Rants & Bants episode (our shorter, more spontaneous, but always - okay, mostly - reno focused chats), we get all het up about everything from being ghosted after sending detailed quotes, to Facebook “expert” opinions on pricing, to the realities of buying and flipping property in today’s French property market. Most importantly though, we discuss Mr Kipling cakes and Burger King. Plus, the chic brackets we're importing from Poland...

Resources mentioned:
The Connexion – English-language newspaper covering French news and current affairs
Leroy Merlin – Major French DIY and renovation retailer
Brico Dépôt – Budget building supplies chain in France
Castorama – DIY and home improvement retailer
Causton – Decorative hardware and electrical fittings supplier
Mini glossary:
Devis – A formal, legally binding quote
Artisan – Registered tradesperson
Attestation d’assurance – Proof of insurance certificate
Marchand de Bien – Property trader who buys, renovates and resells
Taxe foncière – Annual French property ownership tax
Connect:
Facebook | Instagram
Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com
Email: [email protected]
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