A home in France without figuring it all out alone.

Making a home in France can be a dream come true. It can also come with a surprising number of questions. Ollia helps international homeowners navigate the practical side of renovating, repairing and caring for a home here.

Tell us about your home →

The dream is the easy part.

You found the apartment. Or the little house. Or the place you've imagined owning in France for years. And then come the questions.

  • How do I find the right person for this?

  • Is this how things are normally done here?

  • Where do I buy that?

  • What is that called in French?

  • Do I need permission to change this?

  • Who handles that?

  • Why does everyone keep telling me to call someone else?

  • And perhaps most importantly:

  • Who can I trust to help me figure it out?

That’s where we come in.

🇺🇸 We’ve been there. From both sides. 🇫🇷

Ollia was built from our own experience of making a home in France, but we came to it from two very different perspectives.

For Carey, moving to France meant learning a lot of new things, new systems and an entirely new way of getting things done. Ingrid was coming home: French by birth, returning to France after years abroad, with the language and cultural understanding that comes with it.

Together, we experienced the move as both insiders and outsiders.

We know what it's like to ask the questions, and how to find the answers. To understand what an international homeowner is trying to accomplish, and communicate it to the people making it happen. To know when something is simply how it's done in France, and when it's worth asking another question.

That combination is what makes Ollia unique:

We know France & what it’s like to be new here.

Somethings work differently here.

Different doesn't mean difficult. But knowing how things work definitely makes everything easier.

LANGUAGE

Knowing what you need is one thing. Knowing what it's called is another. We can help bridge conversations around the work, materials, suppliers and practical decisions involved in your project.

HOW THINGS ARE BUILT

French homes have their own histories and peculiarities. Older buildings, unfamiliar systems and previous renovations can all reveal surprises. Local experience helps us understand what we're looking at and how best to approach it.

SUPPLIERS + MATERIALS

The thing you know exists may not be sold where you expect it to be. We can help navigate local suppliers, products and materials and understand the options available here.

PROCESS

The path from “I want to do this” to “it’s done” isn’t always familiar. We’ll help you understand what needs to happen, what decisions need to be made and what comes next.

We’re here, even when you may not be.

Your projects and repairs might not align with your time in France.

For second-home owners or people renovating before a permanent move, being somewhere else can make even the most straightforward project feel complicated. Ollia can act as your local eyes and ears, keeping you updated and helping move things forward when you can't always be here yourself.

Sound good? Let’s chat →

  • Moving to France was a lifelong dream, and also incredibly stressful. Once we found Ollia, we had the comfort of knowing our new home was in good hands. We didn’t have to worry about the renovation, which left us free to worry about everything else.

    J. Brown | California → Ecusson

  • "I had the best experience with Carey and his associate Kasper. They are extremely professional and a wonderful team. They were considerate of our time and specific needs and their final product was beyond our expectations. We anticipate using them for future projects and needs.

    Peter Hernandez

  • "Ollia was hired to redo my kitchen countertop and I'm thrilled with the result. They are professional, meticulous, punctual, and kind. I will definitely use them again when needs arise."

    Yoann Levy

See work →

Internationals’ FAQs

You’re allowed to have questions.

  • No. Ollia works in English and French, and can help bridge communication around the practical aspects of your project.

  • Potentially. When we're involved in a project, and your needs fall outside of our expertise, we’ll tell you and help identify some options. We’re here to help understand and manage the larger scope of work.

  • Ollia isn't an interior design studio, but we're happy to offer practical guidance around materials, products and choices that affect the work itself. If specialist architectural or design services are required, we'll help you understand when and why.

  • While each case is a specific and unique, we have in the past done significant projects while owners were outside or not yet in France.

  • Yes! A second home is still your home and needs care. We’re here to help.

  • Realestate agents (immobiliers) should provide you with reports and documents on a property’s condition. However, Ollia can be your eyes and ears and do a walk through assessment for condition and renovation/repair needs.

Feel at home a little sooner.

Tell us about your home, situation, what you're hoping to do, and/or what's currently keeping you up at night. We'll help you figure out where to start.

Let's Talk →

In France already? Great. Still planning the move? That’s ok too.