{"podcast":{"title":"French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED","slug":"french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906","podcast_index_feed_id":7634906,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/feed.xml","website_url":"https://www.frenchrenodiaries.com/","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/20260109_120115_21a0b9125d00ac1693f1d50371b2ba34.png","author":"Rosie Ellis, Micala Wilkins and Sue Peake-Russell","episode_count":20,"summary":"French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED is your honest, no-fluff guide to renovating, restoring, and surviving property projects in France. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned renovator, or just dreaming of owning property in France, we provide real stories, insider tips, and actionable advice to help you avoid mistakes, save money, and navigate your renovation journey with confidence. From understanding French planning laws and insurance requirements to choosing the right people for the job when you haven't got the skills, time or qualifications to 'do it yourself', you'll find it here. And if you like hanging out with us, you can join us in between the 'meaty' shows for our 'rants and bants' episodes - where we get everything off our chests, no holds barred! Hosted by Rosie, Micala and Sue - three women who, along with their partners and husbands run trade-related businesses here in France and have completed a fair few renovation projects of their own - expect honest advice, plenty of laughs and a few WTF moments. Get more French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED! Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite listening app. Find downloadable guides based on each in-depth episode and sign up…","last_synced_at":"2026-06-16T18:21:01.137768+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906"},"episode":{"title":"The reality behind the dream: What YouTube and TV shows don't tell you about renovating in France","slug":"the-reality-behind-the-dream-what-youtube-and-tv-shows-don-t-tell-you-about-renovating-in-france","published_at":"2026-01-20T06:07:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906/the-reality-behind-the-dream-what-youtube-and-tv-shows-don-t-tell-you-about-renovating-in-france","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/2468940","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/362663/2468940/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/2026_01_19_11_34_55_b9801064-702d-4ca1-9a8a-5182438fd135.mp3","summary":"In this episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED , Rosie, Michaela and Sue pull back the curtain on reality TV renovation shows and glossy YouTube channels - and compare them with what actually happens on real renovation projects in France. TV shows mentioned: Escape to the Chateau (now known as Chateau DIY ) A Place in the Sun New Life in the Sun The episode also references several renovation-focused YouTube channels: Chateau de Purnon How to Renovate a Chateau Oh No Another Chateau Helpful resources mentioned: Service Public – Official French government information FrenchEntrée – English-language resource for living and renovating in France Leroy Merlin & Brico Depot – In-store advice, materials and specification sheets Local mairie offices and professional artisans for accurate guidance Facebook groups (use with caution — advice is often mixed!) Listener comments: Thanks to Anna, Helen and Claire from our Facebook community for sharing their experiences and insights - we loved reading your comments and comparing them to what we see on TV renovation shows. Connect: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to the newsletter: https://frenchrenodiaries.substack.com/ Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com Find out more about us and our French reno businesses: Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis) S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell) Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins) Credits: Produced & mixed by: Katy Wright Music: Grand Project","meta_description":"In this episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED , Rosie, Michaela and Sue pull back the curtain on reality TV renovation shows and glossy YouTube channe…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3032,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906/episodes/the-reality-behind-the-dream-what-youtube-and-tv-shows-don-t-tell-you-about-renovating-in-france/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906/the-reality-behind-the-dream-what-youtube-and-tv-shows-don-t-tell-you-about-renovating-in-france.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}