DIY shops & tool hire in France
If you have just bought a house in France, chances are that you want to refresh and make improvements to your new home. You have reviewed your priority list and identified the local baker, pub, supermarket, restaurants, schools and GP. The next logical step is to find local tool hire or DIY shops, in French ‘magasin de bricolage‘.
Where are DIY shops usually located?
The good news is there is an extensive range of DIY shops in France, usually located in ‘Zone industrielles’ on the outskirts of town. In these commercial areas, you’ll find large stores, car dealerships, garages, furniture and fashion shops, carpet stores, etc.
What are the best DIY shops in France?
Take a look at list of the main DIY shops in France, it’s possible you’ve heard their names on a TV or radio advert. The biggest ones are Castorama, Bricorama, Leroy-Merlin, Bricomarché, Weldom, Mr. Bricolage, Point-P and Lapeyre. Alternatively, for smaller and everyday household products, look out for a ‘quincaillerie‘ in your town or village.
Are there tool hire shops in France?
For bigger jobs, you may want to hire professional tools, the most popular (and largest) company is Kiloutou. Founded in 1980, they are the 3rd largest equipment rental company in Europe with over 500 outlets. The company hires all sorts of equipment, from powerful industrial quality drills or hoovers to mini-diggers, utility vans and more.
There are smaller specialist hire companies, often long-established businesses, so it’s worth looking around. These small companies usually have a limited range but are often full of tips and advice. If they cannot assist, they may recommend a colleague; just remember to check their SIRET if you use one. Once again, these outlets are usually located on the outskirts of towns, not far from the DIY shops mentioned earlier. Finally, before starting any job, ensure a suitable insurance policy covers you.