Burgundy Home & Garden

Building plans, permissions, regulations, responsibility and builders insurance: information on contractual terms for contractors, architects or engineers. What you need to know when planning to build, renovate or alter property in France.

The processes, permits and organisations you need when planning to build, renovate or alter a house in France. With explanations on the Code de l'Urbanisme, Plan Local d'Urbanisme (PLU), Carte Communale, understanding COS and calculating SHON.

Imperial/American to Metric (Fahrenheit to Celsius/centigrade) conversions for length and area, air, body and oven temperatures, and US to UK to Euro clothing conversion tables.

The Cheque Emploi Service Universel (CESU) method of paying for domestic workers. How to register and use it (both employers and employees). Also information on Cheque Emploi Tres Petites Entreprises (CETPE) staff payment system for small business owners

This is the place to ask questions and share information on anything to do with your house, renovations, building projects, swimming pools, furniture and interior design ideas.

Information on what to do when moving from France; including notifying schools and residency officials, closing bank accounts, ending contracts for utilities and insurance, exporting cars and moving pets.

Moving house is complicated: changing address, notifying the gas, water and telephone companies, your satellite provider, tax office, bank. This list of essential "to-do" items should simplify your French move as much as possible.

Information on the regulations, workings, installation and maintenance of a wastewater system - the fosse septique - in France.

The basics on French house wiring and how it compares to home electrics in the United Kingdom.

Problems with your telephone, water, electricity or gas? Find the contact numbers for the main utility services in Burgundy.

Information and links to daily French government information on the heat warnings and water restrictions for the summer season.