Are you Looking for a Property Renovation Project in France?
Originally posted on & updated on 1st September, 2025
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 learn about 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.
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, visas, to quotes, you’ll need to be organised and have a lot of patience. Here’s another tip, if you haven’t already, start learning French as early as you can, as this will help speed things up, everything, every day, for you, your family and also for your business.
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 local Safer. And if you’re planning to extend an existing building or to install a swimming pool, you will require 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 real 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, with most of them not even being on Facebook. Nevertheless, take a look.
We suggest trying les Pages Jaunes and other business directories, such as our new ALLO FRENCH service. Bear with us, it’s early days. Take a look at “Beth’s real life story” from the heart of southwest France, full of top advice and how, over time, they built a team based on personal recommendations. It goes on to explain how they embarked on a full-scale property renovation because of the remoteness of their area.
Top tip: consider hiring an architect and a surveyor, as they can be useful in helping with permits and potential issues, for example, have you asked about energy reports or seen the DPE 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 important to be prepared before you make an offer, even more so than you would do 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% in delays and additional costs, and review it on a regular basis. 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 considerations and insurance. Unfortunately, mortgages are still scarce this year (2025) as all French banks have restricted lending; it’s nearly impossible for anyone to finance a property at the moment, given the 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 measurements or surfaces.
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 more difficult to discover the untouched historic gem or derelict farmhouse in the heart of rural France. If you find one, be prepared to act quickly. If you’re just beginning your adventure, we suggest registering to receive property alerts.
Unlock Extra Images