We bought this house because it was within walking distance
of the Village of Plouer (which we love) and
within walking distance of the
harbour. We also bought it because it was beautiful, aged, quiet and tranquil,
it had a reasonably sized garden, a courtyard, a barn, and nothing needed to be
done to it.
We have met many English people who purchase second homes in
France very cheaply because they are in need of restoration. Perhaps some may
have thought that renovation would be equally inexpensive. They then discover that the cost of
renovation is pretty much the same as in the UK or elsewhere. You’ll pay the
same for a bathroom sink both sides of the English Channel. No wonder French
friends tell me that the English in France have a reputation for demanding the
cheapest possible solutions regardless of safety, quality or aesthetics. Quite
simply, having invested in a second home, there isn't much left in the pot for
renovation. The other problem of course is that the low property prices
encourage you to purchase more than you need and often more than you can cope
with.
So, our house had to be good for a few years until I could
devote time and energy to it. We chose well – as a second home it was like the
Little House on the Prairie - dark oak floors, a log burning stove a small but
modern kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom upstairs, a well-insulated attic above – and
it came with all those French effects that everyone likes – huge fireplace, quaint old wooden staircase, beams, inward opening windows with shutters, beautiful granite walls - pleasantly
furnished too – in a shabby chic kind of way.
Hardly a hitch – except when I fell through the floor – oh!
and when we discovered that the newly installed septic tank had never been
connected – and then there was a flood, and a dead owl in the chimney which
didn't help matters. Not being able to connect appliances to water pipes
without leaks appearing everywhere was a bit trying of course and then there was the time that the wall
fell down - but these were teething troubles mainly!
Let’s face it – you can’t realistically expect to purchase a
stone house, several hundred years old, keep here locked up for the best part
of each year and expect to find her exactly as you left her several months
before. Oh no, things happen, even to quaint old properties that time forgot.
In truth, time doesn't forget – it just waits until you sign
the papers – then it comes at you all at once.
If you're thinking of doing something similar here is a resource not to be without
Buying and Renovating a Property in France: 2nd edition
(UK Readers)Buying and Renovating a Property in France: A Comprehensive Overview for Those With Little or No Knowledge of Buying and Renovating in France
(USA Readers)David
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