Resources
Guides for homeowners on the Côte d'Azur
Practical guides on the topics English-speaking homeowners ask about most when dealing with French home energy work. No jargon, no promotion. Just the information you need to make decisions and avoid mistakes.
Switching from gas to a heat pump on the Côte d'Azur
Running cost comparison for gas vs heat pump in southern France. The financial case for switching, subsidies available, and why the mild Riviera winter makes heat pumps an efficient choice here.
Read guideMaPrimeRénov' for expats: what the official site doesn't tell you
Secondary residences don't qualify. The devis (written quote) must be signed after the application. A numéro fiscal is required. Practical guidance for non-French speakers navigating the grant process.
Read guideIs a home battery worth it in PACA? ROI analysis for the Côte d'Azur
Physical battery vs virtual battery vs surplus export in southern France. When the financial case stacks up, when it doesn't, and the second-home problem specific to PACA.
Read guideHeat pump brands for the Mediterranean climate: what to know before choosing
Which heat pump brands have strong parts availability and SAV (after-sales) networks in departments 06 and 83. An honest comparison for expat property owners.
Read guideHow we vet our partner contractors
The checks we run before adding any contractor to our pool: garantie décennale (ten-year building insurance), RGE (the state's approved-installer label) verification, English capability, references from expat clients, and a direct conversation.
Read guideHow to improve your DPE rating: moving a Riviera property from F to C
The rental ban on G-rated properties started in 2025, with F-rated following in 2028. Which renovation measures move the DPE (energy performance certificate) score most and how to prioritise your spend.
Read guideInstalling AC in a French copropriété: the complete approval guide
How to get split AC approved in a French apartment building. Syndic process, AGM vote rules, déclaration préalable (planning declaration), noise limits, and what to prepare before the meeting.
Read guideMaPrimeRenov' explained: what it is, who qualifies, how to claim
A detailed plain-English guide to France's main energy renovation grant. Covers income bands, eligible work, the application process, and what to expect on the Côte d'Azur.
Read guideWhat is RGE certification and why does it matter?
The contractor qualification to ask for before signing any quote for energy work. What it covers, what to ask for on the devis, and what happens if you get it wrong.
Read guideHeat pump costs on the Côte d'Azur: what to expect
Real cost ranges for air-source split systems, reversible multi-splits, air-to-water, and ground-source. What affects the price, and how subsidies reduce it.
Read guideGas heating vs heat pump in the south of France
Comparing gas boilers and heat pumps for homes on the Côte d'Azur: running costs, what drives the installation price, subsidies, carbon footprint, and which makes more sense here.
Read guideReversible heat pump vs AC: which one to install on the Côte d'Azur
The practical difference between a reversible heat pump and a standard AC unit. What drives the price, efficiency, subsidy eligibility, and when each makes sense for a property here.
Read guideSolar panel installation costs in the south of France: what to expect
Real cost ranges for residential solar systems in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var. What drives the price, how the prime à l'autoconsommation and TVA (French VAT) réduite apply, and what to ask in your quotes.
Read guideWhat permits and approvals do you need for home energy work in France?
Planning permission requirements for heat pumps, solar panels, AC units, and EV chargers. Covers declaration préalable, protected zones, copropriété rules, and who handles the paperwork.
Read guideTVA on renovation work in France: 5.5%, 10% or 20%?
10% for general improvement work, 5.5% for energy renovation, 20% for pools and extensions. What the TVA certification on your devis covers, and who is liable if it's wrong.
Read guideRenovating in France: contracts, TVA and insurance
How a French renovation differs from a UK one: a devis that binds once signed, which permits apply, the 10% and 5.5% TVA rates, and the insurance the owner must take out before work starts.
Read guideManaging a renovation on the Côte d'Azur from abroad
Who stands in for you on site, paying in stages you can check, signing a devis online, the fake bank-details scam, and how someone can sign the handover for you.
Read guideHome battery storage costs in the south of France: what to expect
Real cost ranges for residential battery systems in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var. Compatible brands, return on investment, and how subsidies apply.
Read guideHome EV charger installation costs in France: what to expect
What a home EV charger installation costs in France. Covers IRVE (the qualification for fitting EV chargers) certification, the 5.5% TVA rate, the Département grant and what to ask for in your devis.
Read guideAlpes-Maritimes grants: what the Departement pays on top of MaPrimeRenov'
The Departement 06 pays up to 25,400 EUR for energy renovation, and 10,000 EUR even to households MaPrimeRenov' (the state renovation grant) turns away. Which grants carry no income test, and the three a second-home owner can actually claim.
Read guideCEE grants explained: what they are and how to claim them in France
Plain-English guide to Certificats d'Economies d'Energie for homeowners in France. What qualifies, who pays, how to combine with MaPrimeRenov', and how to claim. Available to all property owners.
Read guideAC installation costs on the Côte d'Azur: what to expect
Real cost ranges for air conditioning installation on the Côte d'Azur. From a single split to a multi-zone system. What affects the price and what grants apply.
Read guideEnergy guide for second homes on the Côte d'Azur
Practical guide for non-resident property owners. Covers MaPrimeRenov' eligibility, heating and cooling for part-time occupation, solar, EV charging, permits, and managing contractors remotely.
Read guideReading a French property diagnostic report in English
What every document in a French DDT (the seller's diagnostic file) actually means. DPE, electrical, asbestos, termites and ERP explained in plain English for expat buyers on the Côte d'Azur.
Read guidePreparing your Côte d'Azur second home for a long absence
How to leave your French property for months without coming back to mould, a burst pipe or a failed heating system: ventilation, water isolation, monitoring and a departure checklist.
Read guideIs tap water safe to drink on the Côte d'Azur?
Whether the tap water is drinkable, where to find your commune's test results, whether a jug or under-sink filter is worth buying, and when hard water justifies a softener.
Read guideAC installation in Valbonne and Sophia Antipolis: what to know
Local guide for homeowners in Valbonne and the Sophia Antipolis corridor. System types for stone village houses and plateau villas, what drives the price, planning rules and the copropriété vote.
Read guideHeat pump installation in Grasse and the arriere-pays
What homeowners inland from the coast need to know about heat pumps. Cooler winters, oil boiler switches, altitude considerations, and finding a contractor who works in the Grasse area.
Read guideSolar panel installation in Mougins and the plateau above Cannes
Solar for villas on the Mougins plateau. Barrel tile roof considerations, Mougins planning rules, and whether self-consumption or full export makes more sense.
Read guideElectrical contractors in Sophia Antipolis and Valbonne
Guide for homeowners in the Sophia Antipolis area. EV charging requirements, French electrical standards for UK and US expats, CONSUEL (the electrical safety inspectorate) explained, and how to choose a qualified electrician.
Read guideIf there's a topic you'd like covered, get in touch and we'll add it to the list.