Second homes in France are popular with the British, but working with old buildings requires local knowledge.
More and more retired Brits are purchasing homes in the South of France. Some intend to emigrate, but most prefer to keep their house in the UK and ‘commute’. Old French properties are very popular and it is best to use local ‘artisans’ for structural work.
Artisans
Rural France still has local craftsmen. They will have been trained for many years by experts of the previous generation. Their work usually comes by ‘word of mouth’ so they must rely on their good reputation. If you need someone to work on an old French house you should start by asking local people ‘who is best for this job?’. He (or she) will almost certainly be very busy and you will have to wait your turn for their services.
The ‘Rendezvous’
You will need to be very patient! After initial contact a meeting will be arranged, and eventually the artisan will turn up at your house. You will try to explain what you want done, and almost certainly, other solutions will be suggested. Go with these suggestions – they will be based on a detailed knowledge of local materials and conditions. Mysterious measurements will be taken and a ‘start date’ will be discussed.
The ‘start date’
Do not expect the agreed date to mean much more than a ‘possible’ start time. Words such as ‘normallement’ and ‘en principe’ will have been used. These roughly translate into ‘maybe’ and ‘if things go according to plan’. You will need to be patient, but once the work actually begins you will probably be pleasantly surprised by the speed, efficiency and quality. These people are genuine craftsmen and they only know one way to practise their craft, and that is ‘correctement’.
The Workmen
Typically each ‘artisan’ does only one thing. If you are installing a bathroom, for example, you might find that many people will be involved. One will work on the building of any new walls, another will do the plumbing, yet another will fix tiles and so on. Artisans seem to communicate with one another in some mysterious way, and usually they will all turn up at the right time. (They probably grew up together and went to the same school – they meet socially and arrange their schedules in an informal way.) Once you have agreed your work with one person he (or she) will tell you who else you need and what they will do.
Avoid importing techniques
Old French houses were built to last. Many are hundreds of years old, much older than standardised building techniques, but they were built to suit local conditions. If you try to superimpose your own, modern, ideas on these structures then you risk unusual surprises. Putting in a ‘damp course’ might well keep walls wet rather than dry for example. Stonework might well get more water from horizontal rain in the winter than from the soil in your area!
Learn French
Finally, if you wish to be accepted in your village in rural France, you should attempt to learn French. It is the trying that is important, not your proficiency. Using local artisans, contributing something to the local economy and trying to communicate in the local language will soon help you integrate.
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