A couple of years after we bought the house we bought the tobacco barn and 1200m2 so we have the whole corner and no issues as it’s close to us. It has always been the plan to renovate the back section as a rental and keep part of it facing us as storage / workshop ect. I’ve found out that possibly as early as next year there is going to be planning changes. It is currently in zone constructible and that will change if the new thing comes in. So we are now thinking we should look at finally doing it. I’m a bit confused about the planning process. Do we have to have an architect do the plans or can we do them ourselves? I remember something about under 160m2 architect not needed? Has anyone done up a barn? For initial planning do you need all the fine details of what you want to do? Slightly overwhelming but exciting too, if I can get my head around how to start!!
How exciting!
I believe the floor area to be 150msq and above?…
Irrespective, I would recommend engaging a local architect (I am biased because I used to be an architect and would say that if course)…let them take the stress and sort all the design and admin stuff out for you.
The barn looks amazing by the way 
I think it’s 150m2 as well. Ours was only 130m2 but we were advised that having an architect would help ensure we got permission. So we hired one who turned out to be a useless drunkard, and basically did the plans ourselves. We offered him some of the fee to review and put his stamp on everything, got our planning permission and washed our hands of him.
Personally if the plans are straightforward a good builder would be more use! (Sorry architects)
Talking to your Marie about a CU is a good starting point. Here’s an english summary.
Thanks both.
Thank you! We’ll need to keep cost down so I’ll have to do more research on the architect thing!
I think they’ll be fairly simple. Do you remember how much your architect wanted? I’m actually thinking that talking to a builder is potentially a first step as if they say it will cost something stupid then it may be a non starter! We would do as much as we can ourselves, ie fitting kitchen, bathrooms, tiling, plasterboard. One idea is to do straw bale internally while keeping the barns original looks on the outside.
Interesting read, does one have to pay for this? Another thing for my list of research!
@toryroo..I’m in the local Médiathèque and came across some French books on eco sustainable design nd it’s all quite inspiring. Then I did a search on converted French Tobacco Barns (as below)..(I’m waiting for my train home so have the time) and there are some real beuts in France!…all I suspect designed and as important, detailed and specified by good architects and not just build on the fly. Dunno though.
I think though if you know what you want already and have a good eye for design, then of course a good builder would be tops. Be careful or specific on the material specifications and desired quality especially if you have a tight budget.
@JaneJones sorry to hear about your sot of an architect…I don’t know the scene in France but I only worked with good ones in my time and also some good and bad clients too.
I know a lot of very good architects! (Used to be responsible for things like UK housing design awards, the commission for architecture and the built environment and things like that).
And yes if one has the budget (or a lot of time to devote) then can do great things. But if this is not intended as their home then simple could be better? And maybe work better in rural France.
Absolutely 