Ep.8: Alone in France! What could go wrong?
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- Опубліковано 10 січ 2025
- Beth's back in Amboise... alone! How will she fare at our wacky old townhouse in France? Is it haunted??? Has she gotten anything useful done yet, or is she just in vacation mode? What DIY projects are on the horizon? How is she getting around town without a car? And is she still trying to do laundry in the sink? Find out in her first solo report from France.
If you love renovating old houses, finding antiques, and all things French, come along on our adventure! We're an American couple renovating a maison bourgeoise in the historic town center of Amboise, in the Loire Valley of France.
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#homereno #lifeinfrance #frenchhouse
Nice video. We bought our townhouse in France a couple of years ago. It is best to get the electric work done as soon as possible for your own safety and because it will impact the rest of your renovation. I am guessing your fuse box issues may be due to excessive moisture in the house (we had the same issue). Old stone houses that have not been lived in for a while usually have that problem. Be aware that a complete rewire usually runs about +10K €. Also be ready for some damages to walls, baseboards, tiling, etc. during the install. Make sure they coordinate with the electrical company to get your remote meter installed. We used our install to as an opportunity to get new energy efficient radiators too. Also make sure the hot water heater is installed with a timer so that you can run it during off peak hours otherwise you will have astronomical electric bills. Some of our best purchases have been at Aldi. We got a nice dehumidifier, a handy scaffold for removing wallpaper (which was everywhere), German made paint, microwave, hot water kettle, etc. The list goes on an on. They also sell the little moisture collection boxes which come in especially handy while you a not in the house and can't air it out. We would also recommend getting either a log burner or a pellet stove. This will help with the moisture and will also keep the utility bills reasonable. Because of the huge demand the lead times for getting these installed is crazy. Also just so you know your cellar is not even close to being as scary as ours. Best of luck!
Well done on being alone in that house! We just bought a house in Normandy and, like you, we don't have a stove. We bought a nice two-plate cooker with a ceramic hob for €70 on Amazon. We figured that once we by a stove, we can still use it for those times when you need extra stove space.
Congrats on your new house in Normandy! 😃 Well, if all goes to plan, which as you've probably already seen, it often doesn't here in France, our stove should be delivered early next week. 🤞🤞🤞
We bought a chateau. They are very much alive. They breath. They need heat. They may not be people, but they are alive. And they need a lot of love.
Agree! We're feeling more connected to this beauty now and showing her a lot of love. Hope you are doing well in your chateau!
You are far braver than I ever would be! Good job getting around town, eating at different places, etc. I admire you for your courage!
You are very brave to travel by plane/train, open up the house, troubleshoot, meet new people, etc, etc. alone. You are braver than me. Well done!
I totally feel the same, a house has a soul and the past owners and events can be felt by some people. You are obviously in tune with these vibrations. I think that you are right in thinking that you need to "apprivoise" this old building and slowly introduce yourself to its friendly "ghosts". When you think about it, you have been ripping things and pieces out of its walls and floors. No wonder there is a bit of resentment... This will for sure get better when your true intentions are revealed to the space. Good luck. I love your quirky and whimsical way of filming. Makes me think of the movie "Amelie".
Thanks for your comment. And comparing my style of filming to Amelie is the best compliment! That's my favorite movie ever!! 😊
The good thing is if there is an electrical short the fuse does seem to trip. I always feel safer in Europe than here in the U.S.
I loved the French sentences are slowly showing up on the videos. Keep it coming please ❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you! Will do!
The electricity definitely has to be updated. If it isn't "aux normes" and there is a fire for instance you aren't covered by the insurance. I do hope you have an insurance by the way, it must be done as soon as you own a house.
Yes we do have insurance. As you said, it must be done as soon as you own the house. The sale and all of that was all handled by proper agents and a notaire. 🙂
Adorable France! And please....there are NO ghosts. It is all between your ears. Always think in cause and effect. You are absolutely blessed with a HOME like that. Of course renovating will have obstacles, that's quite normal.
How can you be so sure??? I think there are a lot of things in the universe that we don't fully understand.
@@AustintoAmboise No, we do not know one single thing about the secrets of the Universe that's 100% right. But we have our senses, eyes, ears,....and not in the least our brain! No photograph ever is made of a ghost. The electric system in your house seems to be dated. So cause and effect. Speaking for myself> i am 72 and never ever experienced something paranormal. Regards from the Netherlands. i do envie you "a healthy little bit " to be able to live in France! I was there many times all around France. Your french HOME is wonderful!! Great environment and very cosy town. Great choice!
Merci beaucoup! Yes, we are indeed blessed to have this home. We will never forget that! Thanks for your comments.
Good old French electrics.....'bizzare' at the best of times.
I am just going to say this, anytime we renovated an old house things would happen. Then it would settle down. Whatever you do, don't pay the slightest attention to odd things or else things will drive you crazy. Pick up a nice mellow book, drink a glass of wine and try to relax.
Such excitingly weird times and you handled it just fine. I agree, the house was testing your commitment and by accepting to help and love it was what the house wanted to feel. Love it, Cheers 🥂
Excitingly weird is a perfect description! 😂 Thanks for watching.
It feels very brave what you are doing by yourself this time! Also, look at how much you have learned on just this trip, I’m looking forward to your next video. ❤️❤️
Merci beaucoup! Thanks for watching. 😊
Just a thought -- I once had a similar electrics issue to yours, and it was a faulty ground, which worked intermittently. Check that you have a good ground and that it's not earthing to the walls.
Oh I really like the lino for the bathroom.
Love your new life in France. The town is lovely.
J’ai déjà hâte de suivre vos prochaines aventures! Je vous envie d’avoir cette belle maison qui est une source presque intarissable de projets créatifs !
Your voice is cheery as well as easy to listen to. Makes it very enjoyable to follow along - thanks for sharing!
Thank you! 😊 That's very kind of you to say. So glad you're enjoying the videos.
That is a lovely crepe pan, but ditch that wand, make your life easier and put a thin layer of batter on the pan and rotate your wrist to coat the bottom. You will know when it’s ready to flip when it comes off the pan. Fun moment, toss in the air and land it in the pan…
I think at least trying the traditional wand/spreader thing will be fun too!
The house just needs to be loved and lived in again. This is the perfect season to move in as well and make it your own… air it out and give it all the TLC it deserves after so long. Even if you haven’t started major works yet, bring in some plants and a bouquet of flowers ! Bon courage
Plants and flowers are a great idea! 😀 Thanks for watching.
If you don't need prescription reading glasses, the BEST place to buy high quality readers is at the Pharmacie in France. Whenever I'm there I buy a couple pair:)
22:38 35 years ago I was in Amboise and the chapel was under scaffolding. I went again last year and it was under scaffolding. Now I see it's free of scaffolding! I must get back right away before they cover it up again!
Hopefully they won't be covering it up again for a really long time. The restorations are finally finished! 😀 It's not open to the public yet, but reopens on June 16th.
Did you go into the biscuit factory? I would have made a beeline to that!!
I've been into it several times. The name definitely drew me in! 😊 It's a cute little gift shop with mostly cookies (biscuits), and other food gifts, wine, and souvenirs.
I am so glad to have seen this video. I will be going by myself to the closing of our new house in France in September. And I'll be staying there for a few days. Everything you just went through. I will probably redo the exact same thing! I'll talk to the house, I'll be very scared and alone in a large 16th century home... And just trying to figure things out 🙂. Just as you are!
How exciting!! Congratulations and have so much fun! 🍾🥂 16th century! So cool! Here is my pro tip ha ha: play music in the house. I got a little Bluetooth speaker and I carry it with me from room to room. It makes me feel less alone, makes the house seem more cheerful and it keeps me from hearing (and then overthinking) every little noise. It really helps! The silence can be quite creepy in these big old houses. Music is making all the difference for me. Best wishes for your new home!! 😊
@@AustintoAmboise Thank you so much! That is such good advice!
I love watching your journey. And I'll keep watching as we embark on our next journey as well 🙂. Just like you, we're buying in France with the intention of moving there, but not just yet. Maybe we'll cross paths someday! 🌟
I'd love it if we met someday! For now it will be fun to watch each other's journeys here on YT. I just went over to your channel and watched several of your vids and subscribed. I'm so excited for you! And I'm really looking forward to seeing the interior of your new house. If you ever want to chat, you can DM me on Instagram (same handle, AustinToAmboise). You're definitely not alone in chasing this dream of living in France, and dealing with all of the ups and downs and tricky things. It's a lot, but so worth it. 🙂
With such an old electric wiring (maybe from the 50s, seeing you still have fuses instead of circuit breakers) you sure can get electrical gremlins. But the the tripping of the breaker means there is either an intermittent short circuit or a leak to the ground...
Nice video of you being alone in your new home, but where is your hubby? Why are alone? So brave of you. 😊
He's in Austin right now, but he'll be joining me here in a couple of weeks! 🙂
Hello from 🇨🇦. Bravo to you, great job
That spotty cat on your scarf isn't a tiger, it's a jaguar or leopard, I can't quite tell which 🙂 You're lucky that you bought a house, and not a chateau, some of which are going quite cheap, it seems. Watching some of the chateau renovation channels, even if I won the lottery I wouldn't buy one 😆Your house is just enough 😊 Enjoy your stay before the work starts ☺
Ha ha, yes it's probably a leopard. I misspoke. Well buying a house and not a chateau was completely intentional l, I assure you. We watch all of the chateau renovation channels too, and decided we did not want that. Thanks for watching!
I just love this quirky vid and the intimate narration. Excellent It is in fact un journal intime, êtes déjà la plus française des américaines d'Amboise, raffinée et candide à la fois! Bravo! 😍👍👍👋
That's a very sweet thing to say! Merci beaucoup! 😊
love this.. very real
Ohhhhhh, the Amsterdam Nantes route! I HATE traveling through Paris. I'm going to see if I can do this route when I am there at the end of November, thanks.
Such a beautiful and charming town you've chosen to live in. I just left Austin 2 years ago. After living there for decades I decided I'd had enough of it. I've been thinking of France for a while now. I may make the leap myself. Congratulations on your new home and new life.
Merci beaucoup! Thanks for watching. Make that leap! 😀
Why don't you get a single electric hot plate from the the electric shop for cooking. You could do dishes like pasta etc... and crepes?
We actually have a stove on the way. 🙂 It's supposed to be delivered in 2 weeks.
So special ❤ your so brave staying there alone, we recently moved into our home which we will renovate soon and lights flicker on and off and I am freaked out ! Electrician says all fine which makes me even more freaked out .. our dog stares into space and growls - I am taking your advice on board and telling the home I love it. Congratulations on your beautiful new home! It’s amazing.
Merci beaucoup! 😊 Bon courage! If my dog was here and growling at seemingly nothing I would be quite freaked out. Eeek. I suggest having a friendly chat with the spirits in your house. It seems to have worked here!
You're channel is absolutely brilliant thanks guys have a great day 😊
Merci beaucoup!
🇫🇷Love Amboise. Love your channel!❤️
Thank you! 😃
Love getting a feel for your location. I m going to see how ro fit it into my itinerary this fall! Thanks for sharing!
Just love seeing Amboise through your eyes. I would say getting yourself an electric hob will really improve your life so you can make food at home. How long are you there this time?
This trip is about 6.5 weeks for me, and Patrick will be here for the last 2 weeks of it. A stove will be delivered fairly soon, hopefully! 🤞
Maybe there were solar flares causing the electric grid to surge on the days when the electric kept tripping. With all of the solar flares happening these days, people are going to start having fried electric systems in homes and cars. Especially in older homes with outdated electrical wiring and which may not be grounded. Easy thing to overlook, but it’s a concern. Just a thought.
An interesting thought! Thanks for watching.
Great videos, love em. 💕
Thanks so much!
How fun❤ can't wait for the bike adventures !
Thanks for watching! 🚲🚲🚲
Delightful!
Whatever you do, don't watch old episodes of the MTV show, Fear, while you're alone in the house.
I definitely will not! 😆
Welcome home!
Merci beaucoup!
Are you doing any DIY while you're there?
I'm concentrating on the logistics (organizing a zillion deliveries mostly), & cleaning and furnishing the rooms while I'm here alone. We'll be doing more diy when Patrick gets here in about a week.
The blurry Camera can also be paranormal sign
Oooh I didn't think of that! 😲😱
Messed up electrical can burn a house down. You'll definitely want the entire system checked by someone very experienced. I redid the entire wiring and panel in my house and it was fairly new compared to yours.
Yep, it's already in the works! Just had a consultation this evening.
@@AustintoAmboise That's great! It can take so long to find competent people to do the work.
An electric plancha will fill in admirably until you get a cuisinière.
Guest bath floor sample was too muted. Need more color 👍🏻 We’re having fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field creating anomalies even in modern houses & computers. Your darling is creaking back to life. Be patient with her. She’s stiff, tired, & looking forward to her veins & arteries being updated to carry the load of modern life. ❤
You wouldn't say "le prochain matin" but "le lendemain matin", the next day morning. Not said in a criticizing mood, I know you are working on your French. 😊
or "le matin suivant". 🙂
@@gsbeak Nah I'm French and we absolutely don't say le matin suivant 😁 le lendemain matin is the only normal colloquial way of saying it. I guess you are living in France and you're seriously mixing French and English at this point 😁 Happened to a friend of mine who lived in England for years and started to say things like "très beaucoup" ( = very much) when he spoke French 😁
@@isabelled4871 Wrong guess ! I'm French, born French, raised French. "Le matin suivant" est parfaitement correct et peut tout à fait se dire même si c'est moins courant que "le lendemain matin".
Oui c'est moins courant et ça ressemble à une traduction de "the next morning". Dans ce cas-ci 'on dirait plus spontanément le lendemain matin. Autant apprendre des formules courantes et non "devinables" par traduction directe. Mais vous avez raison c'est correct aussi.
@@isabelled4871 Je suis d'accord avec vous. On dira plutôt "le jour suivant" et "le lendemain matin". Par contre, je déconseille fortement "le lendemain suivant" 😉😁