WIND down, tune out, turn off. That is what many people hope to achieve when taking a break in France.
And whilst those making a permanent move hope to do similar, with a house build, restoration plans and many other obstacles put in the way it can prove a challenge.
BRIAN Franklin continues his story of how he and his wife, Lucy, slowly and sympathetically returned a collection of outbuildings found in the grounds of the Chateau des Cresses, in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France.
And Brian also passes on some of his top tips for making a success of a large house renovation project in France.
One of the salient reasons our Le Cuvage project progressed with such confidence and competence was the planning.
WORK on converting an old property in The Roannais, in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France, continues as more of the project is completed.
Here Brian Franklin writes up his thoughts about what he has learnt from managing the work he and his wife, Lucy, were involved with to slowly and sympathetically repair a collection of outbuildings found in the grounds of the Chateau des Cresses.
During the autumn of 2005 our ‘Grand Design’ project in the Roannais continued apace. Incredibly, all the work progressed like clockwork.
SO just what is involved in converting an old property in The Roannais, in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France?
Here Brian Franklin continues his story of how he and his wife, Lucy, slowly and sympathetically returned a collection of outbuildings found in the grounds of the Chateau des Cresses.
As time moved on, and building progressed, all our earlier plans and decisions were now coming to fruition.
We could start to see the fundamental structures and layout taking identifiable shape.
It was an exciting time as there were always new things happening and new stages to see.
Lucy and I were always eager to receive the photographs taken by Raymond Vu Van, the father of our friend Adeline, of each new stage, development and structure.
SINCE the turn of the year a report on the condition of a property’s septic tank, if it has one, has been necessary before a house sale.
Here Keith Lacey, owner of a waste water and sewage treatment business based in the Mayenne, takes a look at this new addition to the Dossier de Diagnostic Technique (DDT).
Keith has provided an English language translation of the legislation titled Grenelle II, of 12 juillet 2010.
The Sanitation Diagnostic
For the sake of the ecological preservation of the environment and its water resources, the law in France requires every seller prove the proper functioning of personal sanitation.
OUR journey continues with Le Cuvage. This pressoir, or wine-making barn was very large, and superbly situated with amazing panoramic views across open farmland and the southern Beaujolais hillside, writes Brian Franklin.
LIKE everywhere in Europe, used waste water cannot be discharged in France without appropriate treatment either via a private waste water treatment system or a municipal waste water plant, writes Keith Lacey.
There are two main types of water treatment plants:
– Assainissement Non Collectif (ANC) that are all privately owned waste water treatment plants whatever the size, from an individual house septic tank or a 200 bedroom hotel waste water treatment plant.
– Assainissement Collectif which are all municipal waste water treatment plants no matter the size.
SO just what is involved in a move to France, where a home has to be found, work has to be done and a new language understood?
Here Brian Franklin starts a series of articles on This French Life about the troubles, pitfalls and pleasures of moving to the The Roannais in the Rhône-Alpes region.
RENOVATING a house in France can sometimes leave you up to your elbows in wires, bits of wood and dust.
So the 80 page paperback book, Electricity In Your French House, may prove a helpful distraction when sitting down for a break with a cup of tea.
Written by retired electrical engineer and long time resident of France, Thomas Malcolm, the book provides English speakers an opportunity to learn more about the French electrical system.
WELCOME back to the French life of Daily Telegraph columnist Michael Wright in his latest book, Je t’aime à La Folie.
After his first book, C’est La Folie, which told us of Michael’s move to France, this time we are taken further into his local village community and how he looks to put down some roots.
All the regular characters are in the book, his always helpful neighbours, the foraging chickens and rastafarian sheep.
But there is one character missing from Richard’s life and that is someone to share the rest of his life with, as well as the taste of his first home grown potato.