<p>What do a Bulgarian holiday from hell, a suspicious YouTube arrangement, the rise of eco villages, and an 18% energy bill discount have in common? They're all on the menu in this 'Rants and Bants' episode of French Reno Diaries, brought to you by Rosie and Sue (Micala is off doing charity work - more on that soon).</p><p></p><p><strong>Resources mentioned:</strong></p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.channel4.com/programmes/a-new-life-in-the-sun">A New Life in the Sun</a> - C4 series following people starting new lives across Europe.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.lemanoircache.com/">Le Manoir Cachet, </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.lemanoircache.com/">Merdrignac</a> - a beautifully renovated manoir in Brittany.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.labelenergie.fr">Label Energy</a> - the green energy supplier Sue mentions as a good alternative to EDF.</li></ul><p><strong>Mini glossary:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Lotissement</strong> - a planned housing development where a plot of land is divided up and individual plots sold for self-build. Often referred to as a pavillon lotissement when the houses built are pavillons (standard new-build houses).</li><li><strong>Pavillon</strong> - a modern, detached new-build house, typically fairly modest in size and style.</li><li><strong>Pompe à chaleur</strong> - an air source or ground source heat pump; a popular and government-subsidised heating system in France. Has been the subject of some mis-selling scandals.</li><li><strong>Mairie</strong> - the town hall; the local administrative body responsible for planning permissions and local governance.</li><li><strong>Maison de maître</strong> - a large, elegant townhouse or manor house, typically 19th century, associated with the professional or merchant classes.</li><li><strong>Maison de caractère</strong> - an estate agent term for a property with distinctive, original period features.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Connect:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/frenchrenodiaries">Facebook</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/frenchrenodiaries">Instagram</a></p><p>Subscribe to the newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.frenchrenodiaries.com">www.frenchrenodiaries.com</a></p><p>Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p>