About The Book

A French Restoration
Clive Kristen, David Johnson

This book provides advice on house renovation in France, moving to France and obtaining French citizenship...

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About the Author

Clive Kristen, David Johnson - When you fall in love common sense flies out of the window. This is how it was for David and Doris Johnson when they found a down-at-heel mini chateau in the heartland of France. A three year restoration began - and with it a journey of discovery.

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A French Restoration

Below is the chapter list for "A French Restoration". Click any of the chapter headings to read the full text of that chapter online

 
  1. Introduction 1 - The reason for this book ; 2 – A renovation story; 3 – A word about language;
  2. Preparations Making the decision to leave the UK; Where to go?; Choosing a location in France; Deciding on the type of house we wanted; Learning the French language;
  3. House Hunting Attending a French property exhibition; viewing property in France; Coping with disappointment;
  4. The Builder Meeting the builder; A tour of the house;
  5. Formalities Process of buying the property; analysing the property purchase documents; Property surveys; Making the most of the exchange rate;
  6. Moving In Uninhabitable property; buying a washing machine; rising damp, leaky roof, no cooking facilities; curiousity of the locals;
  7. Beginning The Restoration The lake under the house; Draining the cellar; filling the cellar; Prioritising works;
  8. A History Lesson The previous owner; History of the property;
  9. Plaster And Politics Mixing the plaster; Planning permission;
  10. Etiquette And The Septic Tank French etiquette; Dealing with a septic tank;
  11. Gardens And Shutters Gardening; Buying a plot of land; Moles in the garden; The benefits of shutters; Buying shutters;
  12. A Load Of Old Codgers Lunching with the locals;
  13. The Log Burner Quotes for a log burner; moving into the house for the winter; sleeping in the lounge;
  14. Pumpkins And Prices Pumpkins in France; Halloween; Cost of living; Taxes; Food shopping; Heating the house; Visiting the doctor;
  15. Hardcore And The Five Feeds Fixtures and fittings; Moving out of the caravan; Wiring the house;
  16. The Case Of The Missing Tiles Tiling the kitchen floor;
  17. The Mouse Trap Unwelcome pets; Getting rid of the mice;
  18. A Harley At The Party A new builder; Ricky's jobs; Plastering the kitchen; Constructing the kitchen;
  19. The Auf Wiedersehen Builders More construction work; Roofing;
  20. French Kissing French kissing culture;
  21. One Wedding And A Bedroom Attending a wedding; Refurbishing the bedroom;
  22. Remembrance Day Remembrance Day in Cherante; Hunting;
  23. Big Strong Boys Churches and chaplaincy; Benefits of joining a Christian group;
  24. The Peasant Economy Cheaper taxes and bills than in the UK; Local produce;
  25. Walls, Windows And Doors Renovating the interior; Maintaing the walls and protecting them; Fitting the windows;
  26. Charente Christmas Christmas in Charente; First Christmas in France;
  27. The 70th Celebration Fitting and tiling the bathroom; Fitting relatives in the house;
  28. Fireworks And Snails Fireworks; Escargots;
  29. A Most Secret History Drinking in France; The return of Celestine Toutanu;
  30. Old Friends And New Friends in France, old and new;
  31. Future Plans Planning for the future;
  32. Make A Wish Making a wish by the river;
  33. How Much Does It Cost? Renovation project estimates; Part project estimates;
  34. Utilities And Services Electricity; Gas; Water; Landline telephones; Internet access; Mobile phones;
  35. Settling In France Passport; Carte de Sejour; French citizenship; Managing the removal; Pets; Health care; Motoring; Banking in France; Taxation;
  36. The French Property Restorer’s Essential French Phrasebook
  37. Sample Projects House 1 – Haute Vienne: €11,000; House 2 – Haute Vienne: €18,000; House 3 – Loire Atalantique: €146,000; House 4 – Loire Atalantique: €183,000; House 5 – Brittany: €185,407; House 6 – Charante Maritime: €72,240;
  38. Plans Of La Maison D’etre Upstairs; Downstairs; The Plot;