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Making your dream of French home ownership a reality
Devin set off for France in the early ‘80s with the intention of honing his French speaking skills. His sojourn was extended after being invited to participate in the renovation of a 16c ruin in the Auvergne region. There, he worked alongside a master mason affiliated with the Compagnons who appreciated his work ethic, enthusiasm and appreciation of stonework.
Devin has acquired multiple properties in France over the past 20 years. His regular interaction with Notaires as well as his familiarity with French real estate transactions has placed him in a prime position to assist Americans wishing to purchase in France. Devin and his family divide their time between the SF Bay Area and their village home outside of Montpellier.
Devin keeps the original of the image to the right on his desk at home. Some twenty-five years ago, he was invited to participate in the renovation of a 16c ruin. François, the mason who was plumbing the stone, kindly took him under his wing in June of ‘85.
They selected stones together from the local quarry for the window and door openings as well as the precious lintels which would be needed to span those stones once set in place. For the most part, the old stones belonged to similar homes from the 15-16c. The structures eventually crumbled, possibly after a fire that left the walls open to rain or simply due to negligence. The valuable stones were then either set aside or returned to the nearby quarry only to await their resurrection.
Before taking part in this renovation, Devin had little appreciation for stonework or for the knowledge that masons had accumulated and preserved for generations.
Within days, Devin became intrigued with the preference for and employ of “old world tools of the trade” such as le fil à plomb, le niveau à eau, and le marteau de tailleur de pierre as opposed to the electronic or modern equivalents. Though progress seemed incredibly slow at times due to the painstaking selection and placement of each stone, the once ruin began to take on the appearance of a home. Its permanence, beauty, and character became more and more evident.
Not many years afterwards, Devin would have the chance to rebuild a stone home of his own in France. The challenges of which there were many were offset by the rewards of retreating each day to his adjacent pasture dotted with fruit trees, sharing an aperitif with friends or neighbors, or simply being in a place that he still considers paradise.
Renovation of a home in France is not for everyone. Fortunately, there remain 100’s of stunning and affordable properties which are ready to be acquired and enjoyed immediately.