Home Renovation & Decorating Ideas | Maison & Travaux

French homeowners are being advised against undertaking major renovations or large purchases this month, according to experts at Maison & Travaux, a leading French magazine focused on home renovation and design.

The advice, published Tuesday, March 24, 2026, comes as several new financial products and potential tax implications are emerging. Maison & Travaux highlighted a new jackpot game from Française des Jeux (FDJ), “Crescendo,” offering a €700,000 prize for a €1 stake. Alongside this, the magazine noted the launch of several other FDJ games, including “Bonne Pile, Salsa Picante,” with potential winnings up to €20,000, and “Ticket d’Argent,” offering up to €50,000 for a €2 bet.

The timing also coincides with changes to French tax law regarding the resale of Pokémon cards, now requiring the use of form 2048-M. Experts are also urging taxpayers to ensure they’ve checked six specific boxes on their 2026 tax returns to potentially reduce their tax burden by hundreds of euros.

Beyond financial considerations, Maison & Travaux is also offering practical home maintenance advice. The magazine recommends tapping windows in the mornings in March, and cleaning areas of windows often overlooked, to prevent homes from becoming stifling during the summer months. They also point to a budget-friendly clothes drying rack available at Lidl, recommended by 89% of customers.

The advice to delay large projects aligns with a broader trend highlighted by Marie France, which suggests focusing on smaller, more manageable home improvements rather than large-scale renovations. Decorators are advocating for a piece-by-piece approach, such as decluttering rooms, adding more light, or improving storage solutions, to refresh a home without significant expense or disruption.

Meanwhile, schools, colleges, and universities are bracing for a major strike scheduled to accept place later in March, announced Monday, March 23, 2026.