Outdoor Spaces
In the first of our posts on the management of Outdoor Spaces we look at why this subject is significant in the area of renovation and conversion of properties in France.
Running alongside, or maybe slightly behind, any project of renovation or conversion of property should be the planning and organising of outdoor spaces. This activity goes beyond gardening. A few years ago the designing, and production of, outdoor spaces was the new DIY
Despite the fact that this has diminished in importance, we have been left with a legacy of products and services which suggest the management of these areas is still considered an important activity.
“Hard-landscaping, Soft-landscaping, Garden furnishing, Water features, Sensory planting and Seasonal themes” are just some of the terms that have impinged on our consciousness, and will mean more or less to the individual depending on level of interest.
Most people buying French property, generally, buy “a project”. This can be defined in any number of ways. When we relate this to outside spaces in France it is a fact that, in most cases compared to UK, you have more to “project” with. The way this activity is organised still requires thought, and responds well to the same criteria, methodology as for a project of building conversion or renovation.
Outside rooms is a new(ish) concept and products to create these spaces are varied and numerous. Furnishing these areas, as with all these 
decisions, is a matter of personal taste. It goes way beyond the remit of this site to tell anybody how to furnish, landscape and organise their outside spaces. We aim to give you the ways and means to make it possible to plan this activity in a structured, successful and enjoyable way.
The starting point for any activity such as this is planning. Linking to http://www.cadastre.gouv.fr takes you to the French government website for land registry. Here you can input your address and print off a scale plan of your house or garden plot. Using this print off allows the production of accurate plans to show position and areas, how they are going to be divided and used personally.
The attached example has allowed us to plan and cost our garden and provides a good starting point and something to aim for in the future.