Are you Looking for a Property Renovation Project in France?

Are you looking for a property renovation project in beautiful France? If it’s a recent idea, there will be hundreds of questions, especially if you have a young family.

As a starting point for those just dipping their toes into the French property market and learning how it all works, take a moment to familiarise yourself with the buying process.

Choose the Right Location

You’ve read it a million times, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. In reality, if you’re looking for a château ruin or dilapidated farm estate with lots of land and outbuildings on the cheap, your options are going to be limited. France is a large country, divided into thirteen regions (subdivided into 96 departments), each with its distinctive character, history, landscape, traditions, specialities and climate.

Property prices vary significantly depending on the area, city, town, suburb, and local property market. It’s a good idea to start by learning about the various regions and what each one has to offer. Buyers looking to work in France or set up a hospitality or gîte business should consider the proximity to public transportation and amenities, as well as the needs of their family and children. Always check the cadastral plan.

Choose the Right Project

It’s important to be realistic and not to get carried away. Don’t be that foolish ‘DIY expert’ who makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Don’t take on a property that you are not sure you can handle. How much are you prepared to do yourself? How’s your back these days? Will you be living on-site while managing the property’s work? What is the end goal of your project?

It’s imperative to have a clear vision of what you are looking to achieve, with accurate costings. Everyone will tell you, everything takes longer in France, from building permits and visas to quotes; you’ll need to be organised and be patient. Another tip: if you haven’t already, start learning French as early as you can. This can really help speed things up for you, your family, and your business every day.

Building Permits in France

As in every country, there are rules governing the planning, building, extension, or renovation of a property. For example, if you buy a property with land, the purchase must be approved by the Safer. If you’re planning to extend an existing building or install a pool, you will need a permit from the local authorities, even for a jacuzzi!

While all (or most) permit applications are now submitted online, it’s a good idea to arrange a meeting with the local Mairie to discuss your plans. They may be able to assist with the administrative process and suggest local services for your project. Another top tip: Building permits are valid for only two years, so be sure to keep them up to date to avoid lapsing.

Build a Reliable Team

There’s no rule or secret to successfully building a team for a property project; starting online is the obvious place. However, many small artisans lack an online presence or have a very poor one, and most are not even on Facebook. Nevertheless, take a look.

We suggest trying les Pages Jaunes and other directories, such as ALLO FRENCH. Take a look at “Beth’s real life story”, full of top advice on how they built a team based on personal recommendations over time. It goes on to explain that they embarked on a full-scale property renovation due to the remoteness of their area.

Top tip: consider hiring an architect and a surveyor, as they can help with permits and potential issues, for example, have you checked the energy reports, reviewed the DDT, or inquired about flood zones?

Budget with Care, add Extra

One of the biggest mistakes people make when renovating a property in France is assuming they will recoup all the work, time, money, and various extras in a quick sale when they decide it’s time to return home. This is not how the market works in France. When choosing a project, you’ll be embarking on a multi-year project, and it’s essential to be prepared before you make an offer, even more so than you would be at home.

Budget with care. Start with a simple spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel (or a similar program) to plan your project, and stick to it. Once you’re finished budgeting and fine-tuning, add 50% for delays and additional costs, and review it regularly. Remember to include living costs if you plan to live on-site; they can add up quickly over time.

The most important tip: keep your feet on the ground. It’s easy to get excited, especially after a nice lunch and a glass of wine. If the proposition sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and don’t be pressured into anything you’re not comfortable with or don’t understand.

Keep your Head and Be Realistic

Always seek expert advice; we can help with tax and insurance considerations. Unfortunately, mortgages are still scarce this year (2025) because all French banks have restricted lending. It’s nearly impossible to finance a property at the moment due to current market conditions.

Cash buyers should seek to work with our currency experts who can help save thousands of euros over the years, especially if you’re needing to make regular payments overseas, for your pension, for example. One final tip: Always double-check your calculations and formulas, especially when converting between imperial and metric units for surface areas.

Renovating a “Monument Historique”

If your renovation involves a property classified as a Monument Historique, expect even more challenges. Renovating these heritage properties requires permission from the DRAC (Regional Cultural Affairs Directorate), and every step will be closely monitored to ensure the historical integrity is maintained.

You’ll need to use traditional materials and techniques, which can drive up costs and timelines. However, there are also benefits, such as tax reductions and potential grants for restoration work, especially if you open the property to the public for a minimum number of days each year. Restoring a Monument Historique is an exciting but complex journey, so be prepared for additional time, costs, and oversight.

It’s getting harder to discover the untouched historic gem or the derelict farmhouse in the heart of rural France. If you find one, be prepared to act quickly, as American Trish did with her château. If you’re beginning your adventure, we suggest registering to receive property alerts.