The renovation of the château and it’s outbuildings will completed in four stages. The goal is to make the château and it’s grounds totally self sufficient and able to survive and indeed flourish in the decades ahead. These châteaux were never intended or designed to make money, in fact they actually consume vast amounts of money. They are too big to be used as a family home and a way has to be found for them to survive, to protect their heritage.
One of the biggest problems with any chateau is heating, they were never designed to accept a modern heating system, they would have been heated by many large fires. Most châteaux are heated by inefficient and expensive water boilers. From the start we decided to put in an electric underfloor heating system that would run off solar energy. As the château is very old, many of the floors are tiled with terracotta tiles (tomettes) which are ideal for underfloor heating. They are very conductive and easily taken up as they are rarely stuck down.
We also decided to totally re-plumb and rewire the whole château. This is no easy task in an 800 year old building with one metre thick stone walls. We have used the very latest plumbing and electrical materials. The château has been divided into 5 separate zones, each with its own electric and water supply. All of the pipes and cables have been set into the walls so they are invisible and do not detract from the original decor. You can follow and watch our renovations through our Youtube channel, Facebook page and Instagram.
STAGE 1
Stage 1 is to create the main suites and apartments in the original rooms of the château. Creation of two x 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom self catering apartments and two B&B suites. These will be decorated and furnished to represent different periods in the château’s 800 year history. Wherever possible, antique furniture from the period will be used. There will be a medieval suite, a two bedroom 1700’s apartment, a two bedroom 1600’s apartment and feature ensuite B&B bedroom in the west wing. The banqueting hall, parts of which date back to the 1200’s is being totally restored. The main hallway on the ground floor will be restored and conserved along with the 16th c stone staircase that leads off it. A swimming pool and relaxing / sun bathing area will be created in the old farmyard.
STAGE 2
Stage 2 will consist of a further 6 bedrooms / suites. One of these will be a mid 1800’s signature suite, then there will be 3 B&B ensuite bedooms with the option to be used as a three bedroom self-catering apartment. Finally a two bedroom / two bathroom self catering apartment. This accommodation (except for the mid 1800’s suite) will be created in the attic areas of the château. This stage will be much faster to complete than Stage 1 as we are not dealing with huge stone walls and original rooms.
STAGE 3
Stage 3 takes us to the outbuildings. There is a small cottage next to the old wind turbine. Over the centuries it has been used as gatehouse accommodation and later on for washing and cooking. It will become a one bedroom cottage with ensuite bathroom, living area and kitchen / dining area. It will have a private garden with jacuzzi and Bar-B-Q. Parts of this cottage date back to the very beginnings of the château. There is an ancient bread oven inside this cottage. It has a very interesting and old cobbled floor that show the outline of the old laundry tubs. It also features some of the best stonework in the château..
Next to the cottage is a 16th century tower / pigeonaire. In the 19th century a water tank was placed on top of it. It will be transformed into a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom apartment with the kitchen / living area on the top level. This top level will be glazed to give a stunning 320 degree view of the château and gardens. As with the cottage, it will also have a private garden with jacuzzi and bar-b-q.
One of the barns in the farmyard will have the Spa / Wellness area created inside it. This will include a sauna, steam room and relaxation area. This barn is adjacent to where the swimming pool will be.
The modern building by the château entrance will be converted into 3 massage / treatment rooms plus a hamamm. There will be a treatment reception and an event space / workout & yoga studio. There will also be indoor garages with parking for 6 cars.
STAGE 4
The grand and petit salons in the château will be conserved and restored. They will become a lounge bar and a restaurant. The final accommodation stage will be the large barn adjacent to the château park, with views to the lake. It is also adjacent to the swimming pool area. It would become a 4 / 5 ensuite bedroom two storey house with private garden, small private pool, private jacuzzi and bar-b-q.
STAGE 5
A gymnasium with large fitness studio and a small cinema will be created in the top level of the large barn at the southern edge of the farmyard.
Gardens, Park & Woods
Ever since we bought the château we have been working on the grounds. They were in a very bad and neglected state but we are transforming them. We have planted over 100 trees, created walks through the forest, planted an orchard, started a vegetable garden and cleared all around the boundary wall which we have also repaired and restored. We will soon be creating several different and unique picnic areas and further walks. We will plan and layout a formal garden, a rose garden, an Italian garden, a wildflower meadow and lots of flower borders. We will continue landscaping around the lake and we have also created what will become a “Wedding Island” at the back of the château.
