In 2005 Julie Ballantyne and her family took the big leap and moved to France to take on a huge barn conversion. Work is still going on with the barn conversion but Julie has taken time out from the project to tell us her wonderful story.

How did you end up doing a French Barn Renovation?

"The move to France came about because of a disappointing house move in England. We moved to a 500 year old cottage in Kent, we couldn't believe our luck it was everything we loved about a home and in our price range. But the dream soon turned sour and we realised why no one else wanted to live there. The house was on a route home from several village pubs and in the short time we were there we were witness to many unpleasant incidents."

So the family made a huge decision and upped sticks to France... I am soooo jealous!

Photo: The French barn conversion - more barn conversion photos

So why France?

"We already had a holiday home here in burgundy so we decided to buy a project and go for it."

"We knew the local agents from having our holiday home here. We saw this house on a cold, snowy February morning. We knew we needed a barn conversion large enough to accommodate gite guests without them encroaching on our personal living area and that was a bit of a challenge, finding something with enough indoor and outdoor space."

What were your plans for the barn conversion?

"Our plans were to have two holiday cottages and convert the old barn from agricultural to living space. The house had been empty for many years so the mayor was more than happy to give his permission. The budget was not large as we knew we would do 90 percent of the work on the barn conversion ourselves, we didn't want to touch the electrics so we used the electrician from our village. This was not just a business venture for us, it was a whole lifestyle change. Paul was running his own haulage company in the UK and spent most of his time stuck on the M25 - a far cry from where we are now."

What advice would you give to other aspiring developers?

"Our advice would be for anyone taking on this kind of French barn conversion, know your limitations. This is not just a bit of Sunday DIY, visit the area at different times, 3ft of snow may look pretty on a Christmas card but when you are renovating, cold or not, the show must go on. Take time to get to know your neighbours, the smallest of effort with the language will go a long way, join in local events and use the local artisans for work on your conversion. You scratch their backs and they will scratch yours.

Photo: Bath restoration - more barn conversion photos

"Remember you may need help on your barn conversion when you least expect it. Oh and this is not England, you have moved here for a slower pace of life so except that things are slower here - if the electrician doesn't come today as planned he may come tomorrow!!"

What next for the French barn conversion?

"Our future plans are to finish this project and live in the barn conversion for a while, who knows what tomorrow will bring."

And the big question - would you do a barn conversion in France again?

"We would do it again but not on such a big scale. We are older now and things get harder as we all know. I can't ever see us not dabbling in some kind of DIY though.

"If anyone is planning something like this, go for it - life is too short and before you know it the opportunity may have passed you by. Our daughter has learnt a whole new language, she can ride to school on her bike without me worrying myself sick and can play safely in the surrounding fields. This is not the easiest of lifestyles but the rewards are immense. Good Luck!"

To see Julie's journey so far and lots of photos of the Barn Conversion in France - visit the Barn Conversion in France gallery.