Big GARDEN UPGRADE and FRENCH BASTILLE DAY party | How to renovate an abandoned house in France

This week we tackle our French courtyard garden and bring some elevation to the space. We enjoy the Bastille Day - the French National Day with friends, and join the party at a local village. Join us as we enjoy our days with music and laughter!
We are Robert and Jyrki - two artists living in Helsinki, Finland. With no renovation experience, but lots of enthusiasm and passion we take on the big challenge of renovating a property abroad. Get inspired by the French lifestyle in beautiful South West of France!
Follow us also on our Instagram @charenteliving
Music by Epidemic Sound:
String Quartet Divertimento / traditional / prod. by Thommy Andersson
Music performed by Robert Tobin:
Partita for solo flute / Bach
Clair de Lune / Debussy
Music performed by Robert Tobin, Riitta Keränen, Janne Halonen:
Moondance / Van Morrison
#france #oldhouse #diy #charente #renovation #frenchhouse #rural #countryside #farmlife #lifestyle #lifestylevlog #lifeinfrance #bastilleday #garden #gardening #gardenscapes

[@davidschickerling3549]

Lovely intro to this post, putting your viewers in a chilled & relaxed frame of mind to enjoy the video/show and tell. Weeds the universal annoyance for gardeners the world over.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks David for the lovely words!!

[@hangingwithjen]

Love the interlude in this video- nothing beats a flute solo in an old church. beautiful acoustics and playing.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Jen, glad you enjoyed!

[@torxsal7008]

Thanks for le clair de Lune de Debussy and nice moment in the Litle Church - Happy to see your Life here

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed!

[@denniscampeau6577]

I love the glimpses of your talents in the musical world mixed into your beautiful living spaces and village life. Enjoy!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Dennis!!!

[@anitaklamer3360]

Brilliant garden transformation. Maybe one day you will have a small musical concert there for your family & friends (& us) Thanks for sharing🥰

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Anita, yes a garden concert would be lovely!! Great idea.

[@alan8943]

Your videos are like a breath of fresh air. So soothing and calming to watch. Many, many thanks.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Alan!!!

[@jameswilliamson6665]

Wow, it looks amazing and the piano sounds so lovely.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks James!

[@dougr.2245]

As a gardener I'm not usually a fan of gravel gardens, but for your situation it looks very nice with the olive, rosemary & bougainvillea in their beds & the very practical gravel keeping the weeds away. Very nice.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much, we love it too!

[@lawrencebaker2318]

I am glad you had "canine supervision" to make sure the weed-barrier did not have any wrinkles in it! ;-) Concerts in the local church?? Yes!! Thank you for sharing your Bastille Day with us and the music and merriment back home. The happiness just radiated!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Lawrence, so glad you enjoyed it!!

[@deanviewofachateaumybandbi7899]

What fun you had and i loved the music, fantastic.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed!

[@eamonnohalloran2254]

An interuption of the playing of 'Clare de Lune leads the duo to a garden make over in a hommage to Christo and JanClaude topped by a Zen garden raking of beautiful gravel over the scene. The stripped canvas lounging chair adds a touch of colour to composition. Wha La ,A happy Kitty barks in appreciation. Happy days and festive days conclude with Dave Brubeck Good times

[@charenteliving]

Thanks as always Eamonn for your lovely words!

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

Wonderful as always. ✊❤️🥂xx

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@williamfahey6066]

I like the way your House is coming along. The river you were swimming in looks so beautiful, natural places like that are the best. I hope the treatment you did in your garden has stopped the weeds from growing. If not there is a way to stop them.at first using weed killer and then I have heard about some sort of gassing the ground and that is supposed to stop weeds from coming back. Another enjoyable video, Jeff❤

[@kefaad]

Love what you've done with the garden guys! Kitty is adorble!Thanks Robert for sharing your music! Armoire is stunning, lovely carvings!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so so much, so glad you're enjoying!

[@veronicarunge2241]

So enjoy hearing you play the flute and piano - garden looking great again. Thank you for sharing - from Australia.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Veronica!

[@lbuffc]

I love Debussy!! Thanks for that opening!! Your Garden looks fabulous!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much!!

[@desireeismail3092]

The garden looks pretty with the gravel. Another wonderful video from you. Hope you are enjoying your summer holidays.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Desiree, having a lovely summer thank you!!

[@elsalumby1]

Quite pretty and a fine job. As a retired horticulture/garden center buyer, I appreciate seeing the garden hardgoods (weed membrane, gravel deliveries, plant purchasing) plus all of the hard work involved. New-ish subscriber. Like your videos very much. Plus, the river near your house is wonderful! How lovely!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much Elsa for the lovely comment and thank you so much for subscribing!!!

[@nativetexson]

Thanks guys. Well done. Brings to mind the generation of Stein, Hemingway, Picasso, Matisse, and the spirit of that era in Paris. Au revoir from the south of France.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Glen, greetings to you in the south!!

[@Neroli-Daydreaming-of-France]

Great, and the music in the church was gorgeous

[@charenteliving]

Merci beaucoup!!!

[@docevika6202]

Love the video, Kitty is my dream dog, so adorable. Can’t wait to watch one of Robert’s concert in that little church.

[@charenteliving]

Oh she is beautiful, a lovely temperament. Next video will be the concert, so stay tuned!

[@lesley2110]

Love your flute playing Robert!....talented man you are

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!

[@jamesbuckler1599]

I just love your videos keep up the good work.😊😊😊

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much James!!

[@elisabetharzberger2456]

gret acoustic and with people in the church the reverb won't be that looooong 😊

[@charenteliving]

Yes absolutely!!

[@gypsy1588]

Your home and private garden is looking beautiful.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much!!

[@katbar6066]

I have to admit I thought the garden would look terribly stark with so much gravel but after seeing the end result I have to say it looks beautiful and I agree far more practical than having to remove knee high weeds several times a year. I would much rather be sitting on gravel with a glass of chilled wine in hand than trying to tidy up an overgrown mess of weeds.

[@charenteliving]

Glad you like it, it came together nicely in the end.

[@nimuehmoon872]

...Garden looks great...Loved hearing Robert play Clair de Lune...❤😉

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!!

[@phyllisburrell8661]

Glad you made a good choice to use the ground cloth under the gravel, instead of plastic sheeting. It's water permeable, another channel I watch is using plastic everywhere, all over their property, seems like a mistake to me, with water runoff. Good choice guys.

[@charenteliving]

Yes its the perfect material!!

[@bobolpatrick3789]

une maison d'artistes ,un peu de douceur dans ce monde de brutes .Bonne continuation

[@charenteliving]

Merci beaucoup!!

[@trusting3lind946]

Sublime :)

[@charenteliving]

Merci beaucoup!!!

[@phyllisburrell8661]

Great way to start my morning, here in hot dry California. Thanks guys.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Phyllis!

[@peterwhite9261]

Thanks for the lovely music. Good friends, great living, and being involved in the community. All is good. The acoustics in the church sound great.❤

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Peter, glad you enjoyed the music!!

[@rodolfogarcia4359]

Good Job!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Rodolfo!!

[@neilschipper3741]

Another fantastic video guys! Kitty and your guys did a beautiful job on the garden.😊 look so nice to see you guys enjoying your time in France. I'm putting France on my bucket list to visit.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Neil, so glad you enjoyed. Definitely a good place to visit!

[@thechatelaine]

Stunning wardrobe love the end with your friends💜💜

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much. It was a fun evening!!

[@mathewhalpin]

Fabulous episode guys. I sought of live a similar life with my partner in Greece split between a village and a city. I would love to see an episode which shows your city life.

[@charenteliving]

Oh fantastic, we will be returning in August to Helsinki so we can for sure do an episode there!!

[@jbart5260]

stunning video of your idyllic surroundings.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much!

[@adelinefinlay1582]

Beautiful!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you!

[@marquamfurniture]

Beautiful lives!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!

[@lisainnewzealand8461]

Bravo. xo from Whakatane, New Zealand

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Lisa!

[@michaelflick1177]

You're having loads of fun guys. The courtyard is looking fabulous too. Love your local river. It must be great to swim there. Please give Kitty some pats from me.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Michael, we sure will!!

[@francinevincent4785]

Tout n'est que charme et quiétude et le Clair de Lune de Debussy est sublime. Je vous souhaite beaucoup de belles journées d'été comme celle-ci.

[@charenteliving]

Merci Vincent.

[@JaCaraKM]

Your garden looks good with the gravel. I’m so impressed by your musical performances. I think playing an Instrument is like having a super power. Your armoire is beautiful. I really enjoy your channel. It gives me ideas on what to do with my own French property when I go back to visit.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much and so glad you'll get some ideas for your place when you return!

[@artnodulot1525]

bravo pour la musique .

[@charenteliving]

Merci beaucoup!

[@shirleygraham6229]

The acoustics are beautiful. So is Robert's playing of course. If you did organise a concert, would it be as a fundraiser for the church or village? The armoire is a gorgeous piece of (oh so useful) furniture.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Shirley, definitely a good idea to do a fundraiser.

[@user-sg7ic8xn6t]

its beautiful

[@charenteliving]

Thank you!

[@y.lelivelt2619]

The garden became nice. The cupboard is stunning. Do you have the intension to wax it? The Chapel has a good acoustic signal.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much, yes maybe a wax in time would bring it up nicely!

[@florencecampana1515]

Bonsoir, you should find some decorations for the garden walls. 😊😉

[@charenteliving]

Great idea Florence!

[@reillybb1]

The armoire is beautiful. Garden looking great.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much!!

[@waltercook4868]

Thank you for the piano serenade. Lovely. Can you play The Coffin Dance, on piano?

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Walter, haven't tried the coffin dance but will look it up!

[@jodieshannon5033]

You could add a pergola for the bougainvillea

[@charenteliving]

Yes, a great idea!

[@marciap5919]

Hermoso que el jardín de grava, el baño totalmente soñado en un río en estos tiempos, el closet bello, bello, se lo estaban perdiendo 😃y la música hermosa 🎶🎶🎶❤

[@charenteliving]

Gracias!! ❤

[@Celeste0415]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful music……..❤

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much, our pleasure!

[@queen-of-puddings]

Charmante Charente

[@charenteliving]

It is wonderful!!

[@dianesmith5254]

A lovely musical vlog, the garden is looking good. How many loads of gravel? Pea shingle (4)❤

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Diane. It was 3.5 tons, a good workout!!

[@mattyj198]

Wow Beautiful! We have a house in the Charante. What was the river you were swimming in?

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Matt. It's the Charente river.

[@kfx216]

Do you mind sharing the name of the river? I'd like find a French property near water, but the rivers I saw on a recent trip to SW France all looked quite muddy. Kudos on the garden!

[@charenteliving]

The river is called the Charente river and many villages are built on its banks. The water is lovely.

[@Shmule]

Beautiful lamp/candlelab in your piano. I think it should relocate to the US. Where did you find it? If you have a source and they will ship to the UsS please let me know Thank you

[@charenteliving]

Haha it is a lovely one. I am afraid I bought it just from a private sale so I don't know its origin.

[@figencebe9287]

ohh, I love what you did in the garden … could you tell me please what is the name of this fabric and where to buy it ? I am losing my mind with my enormous garden … maybe I can cover some parts with this … love as usual the small piano and flute concerts ❤ and wowww, you have musician neighbours tooo … great ❤

[@charenteliving]

I must go back to the store and take a picture of the name for you, it was almost like a felt material. Will try and remember to do it!

[@figencebe9287]

@@charenteliving thank you soo much, you are very kind .. but I don't want you to be bothered ... I'll manage ...

[@charenteliving]

@@figencebe9287 Its no problem, I can send the picture via instagram.

[@figencebe9287]

@@charenteliving thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@mertenspeter4680]

Of course, you know better than anyone that plastic & pebbles are a solution for poor people who like well-trodden paths. It is strongly discouraged and only the British still fall for it. In fact, it seems to be mandatory to have pebbles around the house to be taken seriously. As long as it looks tidy, doesn't it? But what do you get? A neat garden that is bloody hot because of all the pebbles and the stone walls, and not enough moisture in the soil so that it settles and the houses start to sink. Surely there are greener solutions, such as low, slow-growing bottom covering plants that don't have these problems. Then you can sit in a cool garden in the summer. Avoid automatisms.

[@michelelavender1967]

cats love to poop in gravel

[@charenteliving]

We will watch out for them haha

[@mahaalbalushi6751]

Great videos and series . I would love if you could share the costs of owning a property in France? Since it’s considered a secondary home in France ?

[@charenteliving]

Thank you and glad you enjoy. Of course costs really depend on so many factors....how are you heating the house, size of property, do you have a pool, how many bedrooms, level of luxury within the property (tv, wifi etc).... so it is hard to give a true cost as everyone lives differently. What we can say is there are currently two taxes for second home owners. Tax Fonciere and Tax Habitation. The taxes are calculated on all the factors mentioned above, size of house etc... For full time residents they are exempt from paying the Tax Habitation. For a moderate sized property you could expect to pay approx 1000€ plus a year covering both Fonciere and Habitation.

[@rosemarymccarron3887]

Bastille day....a day to remember the attack on monarchy and the catholic church.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

The people of Paris didn't attack any church nor any royal residence that day. They attacked a prison. Not really the same thing 🙂