Episode
Living on site while renovating in France - how to survive the dust, the chaos and each other
- Published
- Apr 28, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2623
- Processing state
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- https://rss.com/podcasts/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/2685812
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Summary
Wooden pallets for a bed. A family flannel. A toilet that froze solid. A husband sleeping next to the Rayburn all winter so it didn't go out. Nobody's Instagram feed is showing you this - but Rosie, Sue and Micala are! In this episode, all three hosts share their own living-on-site stories, and they've asked listeners to do the same. The results are equal parts hilarious, grim and genuinely inspiring. Expect to come away knowing how to make living on site work - without getting burnt out, destroying your relationship, or going without a wash! Resources mentioned: Renovations in France — the Facebook group where listener comments were gathered for this episode. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle — referenced by a listener as the root cause of many a French renovation pipe dream. Mini glossary: Fosse septique — a septic tank; the standard wastewater treatment system in rural France where mains drainage is unavailable. Ratafia — a sweet, fortified fruit liqueur traditional to several French regions, often made by local farmers. Rayburn — a range cooker that also provides central heating and hot water; popular in older rural properties but notoriously demanding to keep running. Franglais — a casual mix of French and English, often used by anglophones living in France when their vocabulary runs out. 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: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to the newsletter: www.frenchrenodiaries.com Email: [email protected]