Three years after buying our French farmhouse, the exterior still tells the story of decades of neglect. Overgrown ivy clings stubbornly to the walls, and a crumbling render hides the real condition underneath. In this video, we tackle these challenges while showing the struggles and small victories of renovating an old house on a tight budget. Renovators, rural property hunters, and anyone curious about French country life will see exactly what it takes to restore a historic home.
Ivy and Walls: Nature vs Structure
The ivy covering the front wall is both a blessing and a curse because it hides serious structural problems. While it looks picturesque from the road, removing it reveals cracks and sections of render ready to fall. We had to carefully strip ivy from the wall without causing further damage, and it required patience and careful planning. Some areas were surprisingly weak, and we discovered old cement trapped moisture for decades, making repairs trickier. Because the wall has been neglected for so long, every touch can cause unexpected rubble, so we worked slowly to avoid damaging the stone beneath.
Garden Chaos: From Scrap to Potential
The garden resembled a scrapyard with tires, scrap metal, and debris scattered everywhere. We spent hours clearing this area because it was impossible to plan landscaping or exterior work without creating a safe workspace. Removing weeds and junk allowed us to see the boundaries of the property clearly, and it made future projects like repairing walls and gates much easier. Despite the chaos, we also noticed areas with potential for planting or small renovations, and so the messy garden slowly started to feel manageable.
Gates and Timber: Repair and Protection
Our front gates had survived decades but showed severe wear: rotten timber and rusty hardware. After stripping away the decayed wood, we applied fresh black paint, treated the remaining wood for woodworm, and installed new stainless steel bolts. This simple transformation made a huge visual difference because the gates now look solid, functional, and much more welcoming. Even small improvements like these boost confidence to tackle larger renovation projects and protect structures against further decay.
Evicting Lizards and Removing Render
Some wildlife had claimed the walls as their home, so we carefully evicted lizards before removing loose render. This step was necessary because any wildlife left behind could be harmed during demolition. As chunks of render fell, we revealed both damage and hidden potential, so progress felt immediately satisfying. The removal process also highlighted areas needing more attention, especially near cracks caused by broken guttering or trapped moisture behind cement patches.
Discovering Hidden Features
While clearing the render, we discovered a small “witch’s window” near the front door. This architectural feature adds charm but also requires careful consideration for restoration. We explored options for stained or clear glass to fit the existing frame, and the search led us to local brocantes. Renovating an old French house often involves blending preservation with practicality, and every discovery like this reminds us of the building’s history and character.
Challenges: Heat, Scaffolding, and Safety
Working on scaffolding under a 38°C heatwave introduced unexpected risks. Metal scaffolding bars burned exposed skin, and navigating around live electrical cables demanded constant attention. We also had to adapt our work to avoid disturbing wasps nesting in the walls. Renovation projects in rural France often involve unpredictable hazards, and so careful planning and safety awareness are essential for protecting both the house and the renovators.
Cleaning and Labour-Saving Techniques
Removing rubble and cleaning the steps proved tedious but effective. Using traditional methods instead of machinery saved us from breaking local water restrictions, and careful handwork ensured we avoided damaging surfaces. Even small victories, like clearing gravel from trousers or greasing scaffolding joints to ease movement, helped maintain morale and pace. These details show that practical solutions often matter more than expensive tools for small-budget renovations.
Before and After: Visible Progress
After weeks of work, the front wall and gates show a dramatic improvement. Cracks have been patched, ivy removed, and gates fully restored. Although extreme heat limited some mortar work, the visible transformation motivates continued effort. Renovators will understand that progress is rarely linear; patience, consistent effort, and creative problem-solving are key to turning an abandoned French house into a livable, charming home.
⏱️ Renovation Timeline: French House Before & After (3-Year Update)
Three years in. Still crumbling. Still learning. Still standing (mostly).
Follow the full exterior renovation journey of our old French house — from ivy-choked walls to render flying, lizards protesting, and gates finally getting a glow-up.
🏚️ The Reality Check: 3 Years In
00:00 – Three Years In… Why Is the House Still Falling Apart?
A brutally honest look at the front of our French house — ivy, cracks, and the uncomfortable question: was this ever a good idea?
00:57 – Crumbling Render — Visitors Can’t Resist Wobbling It
When render is so loose even passers-by want to “help”. Not ideal.
🌿 Garden Chaos & Exterior Eyesores
01:27 – Garden or Scrap Yard? Tyres, Metal & Regret
Buried treasure? Sadly no. Just decades of abandoned junk.
02:28 – Ivy Hides a Very Angry Front Wall
The ivy comes down… and reveals a wall doing its best Roman ruin impression.
🚪 Gates, Timber & Small Wins
03:52 – Rotten Gates & Rusty Dreams of Grandeur
The gates have survived 30 years. The wood? Not so much.
04:21 – Stripped Bare — Mandy Brings the Gates Back to Life
Fresh paint, fresh hope.
04:48 – Treating New Timber Before Woodworm Moves In
Preventative measures before nature inevitably fights back.
05:15 – Stainless Bolts — The Gates’ Glow-Up Moment
Sometimes progress comes in shiny stainless steel.
🧱 Walls, Render & Evicted Wildlife
05:28 – Ivy Gone! The Garden Wall Finally Reappears
Small victories matter.
06:55 – Evicting Lizards — Render Removal Begins
Notice served. No rent. Time to move out.
07:13 – First Chunk of Render Off… Deeply Satisfying
Three years of waiting leads to one glorious moment.
⚠️ Structural Surprises & Old Building Mistakes
10:07 – Cracked Front Wall — Structural Disaster or Fixable?
Cracks tell stories… some more worrying than others.
13:21 – Cement vs Lime — Decades of Trapped Damp Revealed
Why modern materials quietly destroy old French houses.
13:58 – Surprise Discovery: A Witch’s Window Appears
A hidden architectural feature emerges from the rubble.
15:14 – Daylight Breaks Through the Wall — Literally
Nothing says progress like unexpected sunlight.
🐝 Heatwaves, Wasps & Risky Decisions
15:35 – Wasp Invasion — Renovating Under Attack
They were here first. Apparently.
17:03 – Scaffolding, Heatwave & Live Cables… Brilliant
38°C, scaffolding, and electricity — what could go wrong?
18:19 – Burnt by Scaffolding — Renovation Hazards Explained
Metal + sun = regret.
🧼 Accidental Wins & Comic Relief
19:23 – Cleaning Steps the Hard Way (Accidentally)
Who needs jet washing when you have rubble?
19:50 – The Great Escape — Gravel Trapped in My Trousers
Renovation dignity reaches an all-time low.
20:37 – Living With Wasps — Temporary Truce Achieved
A fragile peace treaty… until winter.
🪟 Finishing Touches & Hard-Won Progress
21:10 – Brocante Hunt for Glass for the Witch’s Window
From demolition to decorative detail.
22:01 – Glass Found — Please Fit, Please Fit
The moment of truth.
22:15 – Worst Wall Patch Revealed — Disaster Averted?
We brace for horror… and breathe a small sigh of relief.
23:47 – Greasing Scaffolding in Extreme Heat — Bad Idea?
Desperation meets physics.
24:02 – Clearing Around Live Cables as Storms Roll In
Not recommended. At all.
25:23 – 11m Up — Mandy Finishes the Front Wall
The end is finally in sight.
25:57 – Before & After Reveal — Too Hot to Continue!
A dramatic transformation… paused by extreme French summer heat.
👉 Watch the full video: ▶️French House Before vs After… 3 Years in & Is It Still Crumbling?