Loulabel

Can any one tell me if its correct a permis de construire is required for rebuilding a house as it was before the roof caved in (okay it was 15 years ago...but still!). I don't completely understand why one is required...the area of the house wont be extended. I don't think the permis is something that we will be able to avoid, I'm just interested to know why one's required if anyone knows as i thought it would be more logical (not a work i've learned to associate with some of the processes here!) that repairs would come under a permis de trauvaux.

I know some people (have seen links from this site) who are definately sticking to the rules and doing things properly, are progressing with some work in their renovation projects while waiting for approval for their building plans. My question is what work can be started without a permit / while waiting for permit to be granted. I know some work (safety work?) can be undertaken...perhaps repair of barn roofs...replacement of broken doors and windows...i just wondered if anyone knew exactly what was permitted? Best Regards Lou

in departments 19,24 or 46. If any beauticians or aromatherapists (or even reflexologists!)have settled here from the UK, please could you contact me by email or the message box here. Thanks, Lou

Rather off the main topic but I'm sure I've seen questions posed from beauticians querying setting up over here before. Sorry, no full time job...but I'm desparate to find a good english beautician or aromatherapist in departments 19, 46 or 24 for a weekly treatment for myself. I've been unwell recently and this has led to some stress which, in the Uk, I found would be greatly helped with aromatherapy or other type of massage. I know France is full of brilliant salons but while I speak some French I think for this type of treatment (to reduce stress) , finding an english therapist is important. If you can help or knows anyone who can, pls drop me an email. Lou

well, 'new' to me any way. I thought we'd shopped in every brico' going but i've only just found Brico Depot. The prices seem to be at least 30% cheaper than any of the others (Brico Gite, Brico Marche etc) and the quality is fantastic. The oulets are huge and they have every thing from baths to breeze blocks. There is one in the Dordogne and a new one opened in Lot et Garonne last week...has anyone else shopped there? Lou

i wondered if anyone had any experience of applying for permits when the work is going to be done in stages. We have a scarily large project which involves total renovation of a house and then we'd like to create a gite/summer house in a little barn on-site. I'd quite like to start with the little barn which will then provide accommodation while we work on the main house. Due to costs of work the project will be done in stages - i wondered if anyone who had renovated a house and barn had applied for separate permits to do this or whether the planning officials insist on the long term project being submitted from the off-set. The reason I'd like to submit two separate plans is due to budget possibly changing...my ideas for the main house may well change before we start on this. The whole emsemble has a CU. Best Regards Lou

I know posts requesting 'english speaking' this that and the other can get flack but i wouldn't ask if i wasn't desparate!!! Can anyone recommend an English speaking Dr. in the Dordogne or even dept 19 or 46 please? Best Regards Lou

I just wondered if the date of sale sited in the Copromis de vente is not met due to the fault of the seller, whether there is any penalty that can be enforced. When we bought our first house the sale date got put back because SAFER were slow and i know delays like this are unavoidable however this time the owner has decided to rearrange the land included in the sale (after the compromie was signed)swapping a parcel with a neighbour. We are fine with this and were told by the agent it would not affect the sale time and it just involved signing an ammended section of the compromie but the sellers geometre has taken 8 weeks and still done nothing. It is a very simple exchange. As we are in rented accommodation at the moment i feel quite cross with the agent and wondered if there is anything we can do. Lou

We have discovered an old veloped in a barn we own that i think we can fix up. Just wondered whether velopeds usually have any registration papers - do they need insurance? I think if i can fix the thing then insurance is probably a good idea but not sure how i could acquire this with no registration papers. Any ideas?? Many Thanks in advance

HI, I just wondered if anyone would like to go for a ride out? Also, if anyone knew of any 'French language' clubs (for learning / improving) especially in North Dordogne - Excideuil area. We're staying here for a few months while we have some work done to our house in The Lot and I had heard that such things exist here as there are quit a few Brits'. Many Thanks in advance

Hi i just wondered if there were any young thirtysomethings in The Lot - especially Northern Lot. I have a number of French friends but i miss English chit chat so badly I've resorted to buying 'OK' Magazine (it's that bad!). My French friends are also a lot older than me and much of the conversation revolves around their 'maladies'. Would be great to hear from anyone...my partner would also like to meet other bikers...especially if interest is in sportsbikes.

Seeking a gite or even a studio for 2 people in Northern Lot or south correze to cover the three month period between the sale of our existing French house and stage at which our new one can be habitable. Know its high season but maybe someone has something 'not quite ready' for holiday-makers...don't mind as used to part-converted places!