We’ve all seen that old and beautiful, but seriously rundown French home, and dreamed of restoring it to glory. Or found the perfect French meadow with a view, and imagined creating our perfect home there, making the view our own. Well, dream no longer, France Property Guides would like to introduce you to the people who can make it happen.
If you’ve been looking for a while and still haven’t found the French property that ticks every box, maybe try another approach. Have you considered building from scratch on your ideal plot or renovating a wreck?
Plots & Wrecks will find the property, then Dreamstones will create your perfect property from it.
If you’re thinking “lovely idea, but far too much work”, we would like to introduce two companies that can make it all much easier. Plots & Wrecks will find the property, then Dreamstones will create your perfect property from it.
One of Dreamstones’ projects in France nears completion
Even if you’re just starting out on your French property hunt and still feel the right home might be out there for you, there are many advantages to starting from scratch. You can create your own design, a bespoke home suited to your needs, from the basic layout to the finishing touches.
“We had a very clear vision of what we wanted with precise specifications. The chalet had to be contemporary with straight and thin lines. There had to be a very minimalist approach with a lot of wood, glass and some natural materials both in and out.” Owners, Stephen & Alison
Where do you start?
The first step is to find your plot or wreck. Will it be a patch of picture-perfect France with a drop-dead gorgeous view? Or maybe a once-grand manoir that’s seen better days? Maybe a ski chalet? Imagine turning this tumbledown property into something really special! That’s where Plots & Wrecks come in.
Find homes in France via our property portal.
Plots & Wrecks
Plots & Wrecks identifies plots and renovation projects with potential to create dream homes anywhere in France. The team of UK-based property finders work in close relationship with all the French local agents to shortlist the best opportunities on the market. Every property advertised goes through a strict selection process to comply with Plots & Wrecks standards (i.e. technical feasibility, legal feasibility, added value potential). The team also assists many individuals in their search for the best plot or renovation project by defining their projects in great details and finding the matching properties locally.
Dreamstones
While building your own home or renovating a wreck is an exciting challenge, realistically very few of us can tackle such a prospect. From the language barrier to local building regulations, sourcing good builders to keeping project on track and to budget, this really is a job for professionals. Dreamstones is a leading design and build company creating bespoke homes in France. With 20 full-time staff, combining UK-based architects and French project managers Dreamstones will work closely with you to understand your vision. Their in-house architects will turn your vision from design to reality with the right use of space, style and materials. Once on site, your own personal site manager will coordinate the carefully selected local trades to guarantee the project is completed efficiently.
“To meet our client’s needs, there is an important work of dialogue… It is an essential step to define precisely what they expect and to propose a project that corresponds to them.” Quentin Kaiser, Dreamstones
Case study: A ski chalet in Samoens
Ski and mountain lovers, the owners found in Samoens everything they liked for their summer and winter holidays.
The chalet at Samoens
The living room with mountain views
The brief:
“The chalet had to be contemporary with straight and thin lines. There had to be a very minimalist approach with a lot of wood, glass and some natural materials both in and out. We wanted transparency and openness.”
The property:
The supporting structure was made of Douglas laminated wood which is naturally resistant to external attacks and allows for large spans. The panels are made of larch, also naturally resistant and a colour that goes perfectly with that of Douglas wood. Heating is provided by an air-water heat pump, which supplies heat through the floor evenly. To this we added a fireplace. Who doesn’t want a beautiful fire when coming back from skiing?
Find homes in France via our property portal.
It is clear that the end result is what the owners expected. Bright and spacious, the volumes exude comfort and well-being. The wood, when present, is treated very lightly and does not stifle the place. A beautiful contemporary chalet! Bespoke does not only apply to the building. Doors, stairs, cupboards… the company took care of design, fabrication and fitting of bespoke joinery so that the whole was as harmonious as possible.
“Before the build we had a lot of questions. We knew what we wanted and we were looking for a company that could meet our needs. And we are not disappointed. We felt with him, and with all those who participated in the project, a real desire to please us which was thrilling.” Stephen & Alison
“To meet our clients’ needs, there is an important work of dialogue. We even warn them that we can seem ‘indiscreet’, asking a lot of questions about themselves and their way of life. It’s necessary to define precisely what they expect and to propose a project that corresponds to them.” Quentin Kaiser
Could one of these be yours?
Check out these plots and wrecks on the market in France. What could you – in association with Dreamstones – make of them? Click on the image to take a look on Rightmove.
Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine €525,000
Six-bedroom castle
Six-bedroom castle
This 13-15th century castle is close to Puymirol. It has lovely original features and large outbuildings on a plot of five hectares. It also has beautiful views over the surrounding countryside and forests. With an outstanding vaulted wine cellar, this would make the perfect peaceful chateau to escape from it all.
Find homes in France via our property portal.
Bois le Roi, south of Paris, €735,000
Five-bedroom character property
Large house for restoration, near Paris
In the centre of Bois le Roi, this 205-square-metre character property dating from the 1900s requires renovation to transform into a comfortable modern home, while keeping the lovely features and large spaces. It is complemented by a large garden of 3,200 square metres.
Vielle-Toulouse, Languedoc, €312,000
5,400 square metre plot
A large and sunny plot near Toulouse
Beautiful building plot in the village of Vieille-Toulouse, only 6km from the centre of Toulouse, in a calm environment. With proximity to public transports, schools and universities as well as the golf course.
Monesties, Tarn, €263,000
10-bedroom home for renovation.
Perfect country home near Monesties, just needs a little TLC
This 540-square-metre renovation project on a plot of 648 m2 is located in a privileged area. The property has both character and high potential to become a large bespoke home.
Banyuls-sur-Mer, French-Spanish border, €810,000
Large plot with Mediterranean views
Plot with Mediterranean view, on French-Spanish border
How about that for a sea view! This 2,900-square-metre plot is the ideal location for your bespoke home. Currently a small house sits on the plot, which can be demolished or renovated. Fantastic building opportunity.
Find homes in France via our property portal.
Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, €440,000
Villa near the city of Toulouse
Grand old ruin near Toulouse, but how amazing could it be?
A grand old wreck of 400-square metres in a lovely area within striking distance of Toulouse. Easy to reach. The property has both character and high potential to become a large bespoke home.
