Renovating in France - French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED cover art

Renovating in France - French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

Renovating in France - French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED

By: Rosie Ellis and Sue Peake-Russell (30+ years combined French renovation experience!)
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Renovating in France - French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED is your honest, no-fluff guide to buying and renovating French property - and living to tell the tale!

Whether you're a first-time buyer dreaming of doing up a rural French ruin, a seasoned renovator deep in the dust and chaos, or an entrepreneur planning to turn your French property into a gîte, chambre d'hôtes, wedding venue or retreat - you'll find real stories, insider tips, and actionable advice here to help you avoid costly mistakes and navigate your French renovation journey with confidence (and a healthy dose of humour!).

We cover the topics that YouTube channels and TV shows like Escape to the Chateau and A Place in the Sun don't - or won't:

  • French planning laws, building permits and mairie requirements

  • How to find and manage reliable French artisans

  • Renovation budgets, real costs and why DIY isn't always the saving you think

  • French property diagnostics, DPE energy ratings and what they mean for buyers

  • The French buying process - compromis de vente, vice cachée, notaires and more

  • Insurance, decennale guarantees and your legal obligations as a property owner

  • Living on site during a renovation (yes, really)

  • Turning your renovation into a business - gîtes, tax, SCI, micro-entreprise and exit strategies

  • The realities of working with French tradespeople - devis, deposits and travail au noir

  • The reality behind YouTube château renovation channels

  • What renovation reality TV gets wrong (and why it could cost you dearly if you follow their lead)

We also bring in the experts - estate agents with 40 years in the French market, accountants, interior architects, and business consultants who've seen it all and aren't afraid to say so.

Hosted by Rosie Ellis and Sue Peake-Russell, two women with over 30 years of combined French renovation experience, who run trade businesses in Brittany and the Gers respectively. In earlier episodes (1–16), they're joined by founding host Micala Wilkins, whose background in providing back-office support for her husband's electrical business and marketing for trades in general, brought a brilliant additional perspective to the show.

Expect honest advice, plenty of laughs, and more than a few WTF moments.

Get more French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED! Subscribe on your favourite listening app and find downloadable guides for each episode, plus our newsletter, at frenchrenodiaries.com. Join the community on Facebook and Instagram.

Rosie Ellis 2025
Episodes
  • Is buying a chateau in France really worth it? The good, the bad and the ugly truth, with GoGo Chateau's Morgan Lawley

    Is buying a chateau in France really worth it? The good, the bad and the ugly truth, with GoGo Chateau's Morgan Lawley
    Jun 30 2026

    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.

    Connect:

    Facebook | Instagram | website

    frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Before you turn your French renovation into a business - the taxes, the costs and the exit strategy, with Lisa Clapisson

    Before you turn your French renovation into a business - the taxes, the costs and the exit strategy, with Lisa Clapisson
    Jun 16 2026

    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:

    Facebook | Instagram

    Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

    Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • How to design and decorate your French renovation - without wasting money, with Christina Rougerie

    How to design and decorate your French renovation - without wasting money, with Christina Rougerie
    Jun 2 2026

    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!

    Connect:

    Facebook | Instagram

    Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

    Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
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