- 2 weeks ago
Chateau DIY Season 11 Episode 43
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00:00Across France, there are thousands of spectacular chateaux,
00:06many being brought back to life...
00:09I'm actually a little bit nervous.
00:14...by intrepid owners...
00:17Good Lord!
00:19...who are relishing the challenge...
00:22And it's not the lightest of furniture,
00:24with it being chateau furniture.
00:26...of transforming them
00:28into stunning homes...
00:31Wow!
00:32This is spectacular!
00:33Welcome to your empire suite!
00:36Kiss your bride!
00:38...and successful businesses...
00:41Long day, but fabulous wedding.
00:44...they will ride every high...
00:49...and battle every low...
00:52It's really annoying.
00:53We haven't got time for this.
00:55...to follow their dream...
00:58It is emotional.
00:59Flippin' is!
01:01...of a beautiful life in France...
01:04Cheers to you!
01:05Cheers to you!
01:06Here's to you!
01:07...where home is their very own castle.
01:17Today, decades of decay...
01:20So how bad actually are these?
01:22...but a huge building at risk.
01:26Oh!
01:27Oh!
01:28My God!
01:29That's far worse than I thought it was.
01:31...nerves run high at this chateau's biggest event yet.
01:36There's always that worry that when you do something like this...
01:39...that people aren't going to show up...
01:40...that things are just going to go wrong.
01:42...and one owner struggles to keep her cool.
01:46You're pregnant!
01:47Try to keep your blood pressure down.
01:49Important!
01:50This isn't the job where my blood pressure is down.
02:00In Brittany, in northern France...
02:03...stands the imposing Moulin du Guénon.
02:07With parts dating back to the 13th century...
02:11...the property stands in the centre of two medieval bridges...
02:17...and comes with five floors...
02:21...enormous former grain silos...
02:23...and a small stone jeet.
02:26This monumental makeover is the latest project...
02:31...for experienced chateau DIYers Donna and Paul.
02:36I think the scale of the challenge...
02:37...it was certainly a step above that which we've done before...
02:40...and, you know, it could become overwhelming...
02:43...but, like anything, I think you just chip away at the small bits...
02:47...and, you know, relatively quickly you can make a big difference...
02:50...as, you know, we have done here.
02:54Located just 12 miles from the Brittany coast...
02:57...Donna and Paul bought the property in 2024...
03:01...for less than £100,000.
03:05But even at that price, Donna took some persuading.
03:09The initial plan was to go south after our first renovation.
03:15I like the sunshine, not the cold.
03:18So when Paul turned the car north...
03:21...you can imagine the air in the car wasn't very...
03:25It was a bit...
03:27It's the quietest you've been for four hours.
03:30But I must admit, even in the poor condition it was...
03:34It's just such an elegant building, and its surroundings are just perfect.
03:42Since getting the keys, the couple have tackled jobs on every floor.
03:48Replacing windows in the basement...
03:51It's a nice tight fit.
03:55Building a ground floor utility room.
03:58And last time we saw them...
04:01...Donna got the bathroom...
04:05...and dressing room of her dreams.
04:09I'm still kind of pinching myself, I must admit.
04:12We're finally making this place our own.
04:14It's very exciting, yeah.
04:17Now though, there's an urgent job to tackle at the top.
04:22So how bad actually are these?
04:25Er...
04:26We'll see if you can get that piece of rebar.
04:29Oh!
04:33My God!
04:34That's far worse than I thought it was.
04:36Today we're actually in the attics.
04:38Well, second floor cum attic of the mill.
04:43And we're looking at replacing some of the really rotten joists.
04:48Thankfully this one's okay.
04:50Okay.
04:51So we're going to leave that in place.
04:52Yeah.
04:52These two we need to cut out.
04:54Yeah.
04:54We've got some structural support joists that have been impacted by weather.
04:59And that weather has caused dampness, and that dampness has caused both termites and rot.
05:04So we've got a triple beam.
05:06Thankfully one side of the beam's okay, so we'll be able to save that.
05:09But the two sections of the beam, we need to replace.
05:13And then once that's done, we can then reinstate the floor joists.
05:16And then obviously reinstate the flooring to give us back the attic space.
05:22Helping Paul rebuild the triple beam is his friend Geoff.
05:27So I'm going to cut these sections out, but obviously they are quite heavy timbers.
05:30So I'll just cut them out and probably meter lengths until I get to the right width.
05:36The giant beam is made up of three wooden joists bolted together,
05:41meaning it's incredibly strong, but only if it's in good condition.
05:51So that's the nature of the problem.
05:53It's not doing much good.
05:54It's not very structural, that beam anymore.
05:57Paul carefully removes the rotten oak piece by heavy piece.
06:15Must be the hand, soldier.
06:31Oh, it's yoke, isn't it?
06:33Yeah.
06:37So we've got the old section of the damaged beam out.
06:40We're going to put a new section in here, and then a secondary section in here.
06:43And then we're going to bolt these two new timbers to it.
06:47We're going to go into the existing timber as well.
06:48Sort of then act as one uniform beam.
06:51They've made a good start.
06:53But when you're dealing with ancient engineering, anything could happen.
07:04Six hours away, in the Burgundy countryside, stands the impressive 13th century Chateau de Chassignolles.
07:15With 35 acres, four striking towers, and 30 dilapidated rooms.
07:27This medieval fortress is now home to project manager Anna and her engineer husband Max, who grew up nearby.
07:38Max had never thought about living in a chateau.
07:42He thought I was crazy.
07:44But luckily, Max is just as crazy as me, and thought it was a fantastic idea.
07:49We have a sort of kindred spirit in that we like to bring life to old things.
07:54We share the same mindset, but not for the same things.
07:57You love restoring old engines and machines, and for me, it's buildings or furniture.
08:04I think we're very complementary on a lot of things for the same goal, which is this house now.
08:13Located 90 miles from the Swiss border, the couple bought the Chateau in 2024 for £650,000.
08:23And one of their first projects has been to revamp the Chateau's neglected courtyard.
08:31Why are you removing the guttering?
08:33Oh, my God. I don't want to look.
08:38Last time we saw them, they and their family were digging deep to fit new drainage,
08:44and faced a nail-biting repair to a crumbling pillar holding up the roof.
08:53I haven't seen a suspended column before, but, you know.
08:57It's magic. Black magic.
09:00Now, with the pillar restored and the pipes laid,
09:04they need to finish resurfacing the whole courtyard
09:08before a family gathering in just a week's time.
09:13Today, I've got the help of my family, and we're going to finish to layer the hardcore and do all
09:18the levelling.
09:19Now that I'm six months pregnant, my heavy lifting days are a bit limited,
09:24but I've got a lot of painting to be getting on with.
09:29As Max, cousin Ludovine, and her son may then crack on with the groundwork,
09:37Anna's eye is on the end result.
09:41We want everything in the Chateau to be very sympathetic to the history,
09:45so where we can, we prefer to buy secondhand and upcycle.
09:50I found these in an auction house in the UK,
09:52and now they're going to start their new lease of life as part of our outdoor dining.
09:56Every summer, my family come to France to visit,
10:00and I'm hoping that when they come to visit this time,
10:04we can all have a lovely barbecue and celebrate the progress of the courtyard.
10:17So the gravel is down now, and we're going to compact it.
10:22So far, so good.
10:26Next generation.
10:30With everyone pitching in,
10:33Anna and Max's dream courtyard is inching closer.
10:46Finishing spectre of work is coming.
10:49It's looking amazing.
10:51Everything just looks more bright and airy, and it's such an improvement.
10:54I mean, considering where we were a year ago,
10:56where there were weeds up to here.
10:58This is amazing.
11:00It is.
11:01I'm really pleased.
11:02You've done so well.
11:04With the messy groundwork complete,
11:07next, they face some super-sized planting
11:11to turn this into the perfect entertaining space.
11:20Coming up.
11:21One family face a chateau-sized paint job.
11:25Doing the railings, it's going to be a mammoth job,
11:28just painting everyone by hand with every four coats that we have to do.
11:32While Anna has a party problem.
11:36We've got a lot of people coming tomorrow.
11:37I possibly have paint glued the table together so that the extensions will not come out.
11:51In the lush region of Normandy, in the north of France, stands the elegant 18th century Chateau de La Lacelle.
12:03With 21 acres, a charming turret tower, and 25 sumptuous rooms.
12:13This grand property stood derelict for four decades, until it became a dream restoration project for Middlesbrough couple Terry,
12:24It did.
12:26And Ashley, who live here with Terry's mum, Tracy, and nephew Jonathan.
12:32I'd never say taking on a chateau renovation is going to be financially viable.
12:37No.
12:38Because we're not planning to make a profit from it, but we're not setting out to do that.
12:42This is our family home, and so that's what we set out to create.
12:46The family spent a massive amount of time, pretty much six, seven days a week, 12, 14 hours a day
12:51for the last five years,
12:52getting this back to where it needs to be.
12:54This is where we want to live for the rest of our lives, and that's the most important thing for
12:58us.
13:01Located an hour north of Le Mans, the couple bought the property in 2021 for £250,000,
13:11and began creating high-end holiday suites.
13:18As well as restoring the huge formal garden at the rear.
13:24This year, they're giving the neglected front garden the same facelift.
13:32Restoring the two fountains.
13:34And laying mountains of gravel paths.
13:38With the help of their extended family.
13:43And four-legged site manager, Patrick.
13:51Now, they're racing to finish, as in just four days' time, Terry and Ashley are hosting a grand farmers' fete
14:00for over 1,000 locals.
14:03I think it's a time for us to show off what we've created with the chateau and the grounds,
14:07and just share it with the whole area, really.
14:09I think because we're really proud of everything that we've done so far, we just want it to be perfect.
14:14We're expecting a lot of people.
14:20Terry, Mum Tracy, and Aunty Paula have a supersized paint job to tackle on the 70 metres of railings framing
14:30the front garden.
14:33While Ashley and Terry's Uncle Pete have been tasked with tidying up the chateau grounds.
14:40Do you want some mistletoe?
14:42A bit early for it.
14:46So, this field here, we'll have a restaurant just over here.
14:50We'll have a bar here as well.
14:52In the middle of the field, we're going to have the marche de terroir, or the farmers' market.
14:56And on the far side, right the way up, we'll have the classic automobiles.
15:09Doing the railings, it's going to be a mammoth job.
15:11So, this is one coat of four.
15:13We're going to have to do two undercoats and two top coats, and it all has to be done by
15:17hand.
15:17We can't use a spray gun.
15:20One, because of the wall, the plants and everything.
15:23And two, we'd get so much waste if we were spraying it through the railings with the wind and stuff.
15:29So, it's a long hard job of just painting everyone by hand with every four coats that we have to
15:35do.
15:35Well, it'll be worth it.
15:42It's really good when everyone comes over and helps, because it just gets so many jobs done so quickly,
15:48and everyone really works well together.
15:50So, it sort of motivates us even more when there's family here.
15:58We've never done anything on this scale before.
16:01We have visited lots of these things.
16:02We've visited lots of FET and lots of classic car shows.
16:05But we've never actually hosted one, so we just want it to be as nice as possible so people can
16:10enjoy the chateau.
16:12With painting to finish, the garden to tidy, and everything to set up for the FET,
16:18this family have a busy few days ahead.
16:29Over 300 miles away in Burgundy, Anna is keen to perfect their revamped courtyard before her family arrive tomorrow.
16:40So, today I am painting our main front door of the chateau.
16:45This door is the entrance to our medieval tower.
16:47It's the oldest part of the chateau, and it deserves some TLC.
16:52We're both so passionate about the chateau, but the baby coming has kind of pushed along our plans a little
16:59bit more.
17:00The main plan is, first and foremost, to make it habitable.
17:04We want to live as a family as soon as possible.
17:09Completing the courtyard is a big step towards their dream home.
17:17Looking a lot brighter.
17:20I think that looks really good.
17:24Now, it just needs a little greenery.
17:28The chateau courtyard has not had plants in it for about a year.
17:33And the plants before these ones were all weeds, so it's nice to see it coming back to life a
17:38bit more now.
17:42We've got all the plants in.
17:43Come on, Captain.
17:45We need to go and get those vases in place.
17:50Anna's two giant planters were a gift from Max's mum.
17:55And having survived the journey to the chateau, they now need careful manoeuvring.
18:02If you tip them forward at any stage, they're going to...
18:07Be cool.
18:08Sorry.
18:08Yeah.
18:09Relax.
18:09It won't be a problem.
18:12Mm-hmm.
18:14You're pregnant.
18:15Try to keep your blood pressure down.
18:18Important.
18:18This isn't the job where my blood pressure is down.
18:22Yeah.
18:23Easy.
18:27No, no, no.
18:28Don't say that yet.
18:31See?
18:32Look how smooth it's going.
18:34Wait until it's in situ.
18:35Until you say that.
18:39How is your blood pressure?
18:41It's skyrocketing.
18:43OK.
18:44Let me move it.
18:45OK.
18:45Why stress?
18:47Easy.
18:47I will reserve judgement until the second one is in place.
18:54Careful.
18:55Ah, now see you.
18:59Oh, wait, wait.
19:00Not too fast.
19:06Perfect.
19:07Perfect.
19:08Perfect!
19:11Planters in one piece, all that's left is Anna's upcycled furniture.
19:16Just buy this rose here, on an angle.
19:20All right, you'll have to go down backwards.
19:22Including a freshly painted table, which should seat the whole family.
19:28I possibly have paint glued the table together so that the extensions will not come out.
19:35We've got a lot of people coming tomorrow, and yeah, we need to have the extensions out on this table.
19:41Oh, see?
19:43OK.
19:45Who the hell did that?
19:47That would be, that would be, that would be my painting.
19:50This way.
19:51Put it on the floor, put it on the floor.
19:52OK.
19:55OK.
19:56Is that going to work now?
19:58Oh my God, it's working so good!
20:01OK, well let's put the top back on then.
20:04Am I just dropping it?
20:06OK, and then these come back in.
20:09Oh!
20:12Excellent!
20:14Table fixed, the stage is almost set for tomorrow's gathering.
20:20English family, French chateau.
20:22French husband.
20:23Table that will seat all of them.
20:25Job done.
20:27With a forest of plants to position, and antique lighting to hang, Anna and Max aren't over the finish line
20:36just yet.
20:43Seven hours' drive north, in Brittany, Donna and Paul's massive attic beam restoration is underway.
20:52And Donna's on wood prep duty.
20:57This is the joist that we're going to actually replace the oil joist with.
21:00So, what I'm doing is, I'm going to coat each end of it with some bitumen spray.
21:07So, that will protect the part that actually goes into the walls.
21:11And give it some protection against any future weather or whatever.
21:17Hopefully there are no more leaks, but you never know.
21:28In the last few months, it's massively different here.
21:31I mean, we've installed something like 35 windows.
21:35So, the amount of light coming back into the building, and light into the silo areas and that, which were
21:43previously just completely enclosed.
21:45So, the buildings transform massively.
21:48It now is starting to feel like home.
21:53Once the beams dry, Paul divides it into sections.
22:00We cut the two beams, we're going to put the first one in for size.
22:04We'll screw it in temporarily until we get the second joist on.
22:07And once the second joist is also in place, we'll then bolt through the three joists together and secure them.
22:16I need to notch this over first.
22:21Working around the old existing beams means a little surgery is required.
22:35Alright, crank it up.
22:42So far, so good.
22:43I think if we get this one pulled straight, a couple of fixings in it, I'll be happier.
22:48The whole structure of their enormous new home relies on getting these beams right.
22:56From getting the mill, we always knew that the joists had taken in, you know, a lot of water ingress
23:02and things like that.
23:02And we knew the joists needed changing.
23:05I didn't quite realise how bad they were.
23:09They literally, yeah, there's nothing much left of them, is there?
23:13So, it's a bit less worrying now.
23:19The new wood pieces may be up, but they still need to secure them using the original fixings.
23:26So, Donna and Paul aren't home and dry, yet.
23:37Still to come.
23:39Terry's feeling the party pressure.
23:42Asha's only got five tours, and I think I have to do six.
23:45So, I've got the short straw there.
23:47While Paul's got a screw loose.
23:50Yeah, it's just turning, mate.
23:52First thread, it feels tight, and then it's loose.
24:02Deep in rural Normandy, at Terry and Ashley's, the newly painted fence is sparkling.
24:11All right.
24:13And now, preparations are in full swing.
24:18Can you see me?
24:21The day of the big fete is tomorrow, so today is just setting up, getting everything prepared.
24:26One, two, three.
24:27And it's exciting because, obviously, it's the first real big, big event we've done here at the Chateau, so it's
24:33going to be exciting to see, obviously, what goes on with it all.
24:36Yeah.
24:37With over 1,000 visitors expected, it's all hands on deck.
24:42So, these guys are all from La La Salle, from the commune, and they organise in the fete and getting
24:47everything prepared and getting everything here.
24:49The first two of the marquees are up.
24:51We've got another two big marquees to put up, so I think they've said that they're hoping for 200 people
24:56in the evening for the cabaret show and for the meal, so this will be, like, the mini restaurant for
25:01that.
25:03Meanwhile, Tracey and Uncle Pete are making sure the newly redesigned front garden is looking its best.
25:14The event will give Terry and Ashley an opportunity to showcase everything they've achieved in the Chateau over the last
25:22four years.
25:29You should keep hold of the back of it, Pete, yeah?
25:32And they're planning to host group tours from a gazebo at the entrance.
25:37Good, good, good.
25:43I need to sort out some signposts for the Chateau tours we're going to be doing.
25:51See, we've got selected times when we're doing tours in French and in English.
25:55So, Ashley's only got five tours, and I think I have to do six, so I've got the short straw
26:01there.
26:02But, yeah, it's all good.
26:03Another little touch just to add into it, just so it looks nice as well.
26:13Well, there we go. It's all finished.
26:14It looks fantastic.
26:16So, it's all set.
26:19Three months ago, the family began the enormous task of bringing the Chateau's neglected front garden back to life.
26:30What was once bare and unloved, with rusted railings and forgotten water features,
26:41is now a grand formal courtyard with symmetrical gravel paths.
26:50Spacious flower beds lie ready to be planted, whilst restored stonework circles await their sparkling fountains.
27:01All framed by freshly painted railings, the Chateau finally has the entrance it deserves.
27:10It's looking really good.
27:11It is. It's looking fantastic out there.
27:12Yeah.
27:13We knew it wasn't going to be finished, and obviously it is still a work in progress.
27:17And that's what's good about it.
27:18People can actually see that we're still working on it, and then they can see what's finished with the walled
27:22garden.
27:22So, yeah, it's going to be exciting.
27:29It's a huge achievement to get this far.
27:32But with lots still to organise ahead of tomorrow's fete, the family have a long evening ahead.
27:46Like Terry and Ashley, many Chatelains across France are wrestling with super-sized outdoor projects.
27:58This is the biggest garden I've ever had.
28:02Tackling towering tree surgery.
28:05Timber!
28:08I could never have imagined Chateau life would be this much fun.
28:12And making the most of their enormous grounds.
28:16We are designing a potager where we can grow lots of nice veg.
28:20It's an immense space. It almost makes the house look small.
28:25At Chateau Marais in Western France...
28:29Oh, gosh, look at this.
28:30Belinda and Lee want to reclaim a forgotten part of their estate.
28:36The plan today is for a pathway to be made down to the river.
28:41We call it a pathway, but it's hardly discernible when you look at it.
28:45It's covered in grass, weeds, and over the winter there's been trees, dead trees that fell over it.
28:53That area there where the trees are, I'm going to cut that back a lot.
28:57Why would you cut them down, though? Don't just cut a tree for no reason.
29:00They're weeds that have turned into trees, Belinda, and they need to come out.
29:13While Lee wades into a year's worth of wilderness, Belinda's eye is firmly fixed on the finish line.
29:22The thing is, it's hard work, you know, it's a lot of hard work for Lee to strim that path.
29:27So I think to have a little picnic, make it into an occasion,
29:31it makes it a bit more worthwhile, all that effort.
29:33So I thought I would make some small quiches, because quiches are very French.
29:41It's going to be very special to get back down to the river again.
29:44It's just good to take a few moments, actually, just take a bit of a breath
29:49and enjoy what this beautiful property and the lovely grounds and nature has to offer in the area.
29:57I think I'll way it through. I'm down to the river.
30:05Having finished battling the brambles...
30:10Right.
30:11...Lee wants to give the path an artistic flourish.
30:15I've had no sign writing experience in my life, but this time I'm painting because I've got a boss.
30:22So I've got to make sure it looks good, otherwise I'll be doing it again.
30:28They are little beauties.
30:31Pleased with those.
30:35Belinda, right, let me ask her if she's happy with this.
30:40What do you reckon?
30:41That's lovely.
30:42Yeah.
30:43You happy with that?
30:44Yeah.
30:46Yes, the H got a bit messed up, didn't it?
30:48No, it's behind the scroll.
30:50Oh, it's behind the...
30:51Right, you've got it.
30:52You've got to use a bit of imagination.
30:54To the river.
31:03There you go.
31:05I think that's quite nice.
31:07Job done.
31:10It's one job off the chateau's never-ending to-do list.
31:15It's so nice to have it, like, wild, rugged and wildernessy.
31:19Oh, it's so lovely to be back down here again, look.
31:23And with the summer season not yet in full swing...
31:27Santé.
31:28..they can soak up the serene setting on the riverbank, for a little while, at least.
31:39Back in Brittany, at Moulin du Cuenon...
31:45The final new section of Donna and Paul's giant triple-layer attic beam is in position.
31:54Every time we do something kind of significant, like a structural repair,
31:58it's something that makes you sleep a bit more comfortably at night,
32:01because you know that's done, you know structurally we're sound,
32:04and then from that we've got a strong foundation, or in this case,
32:07a strong joist to build on.
32:09So every day we spend here, we're bringing it back from the brink.
32:17Paul's next task is to secure all the layers of wood together.
32:23All right.
32:26And always keen to recycle, he wants to use the original nuts and bolts.
32:38True?
32:39Yeah.
32:39I can turn it if you want to hold it, Geoff.
32:42Go on, give it a go up.
32:43All right.
32:44Yeah.
32:45Is that tightening it?
32:46Not loosening it.
32:50Is it on?
32:51It tightens it, don't it?
32:52Yeah, unless the thread's goosed.
32:53I think it is, mate.
32:54Oh, the nut's goosed.
32:55Just turning.
32:56Take that other nut off.
32:58Try another nut.
32:59Right, go for it.
33:04Yeah, it's just turning, mate.
33:07First thread, it feels tight and then it's loose.
33:12Used to the oddities of old buildings, Paul always has a plan B.
33:19We're trying to reuse some of the old existing bolts and nuts that we took out the mill.
33:24I think the problem's actually with the nuts.
33:26I just think they're a bit loose when you try and put them in compression.
33:30They're not tightening up enough.
33:31And we want these three beams to act as one, so we want them to be tight.
33:35So I've just gone back to a new threaded rod.
33:38We'll get some new M16 nuts and washers and we can just finish off.
33:58That's tight.
34:00It's the last one done.
34:02The well's originally 13th century, but it was only two stories at that point,
34:06so at some point in the area of the third floor and these beams would have been put in then.
34:10Conservatively, it's certainly over 200-year-old, probably or certainly a lot more,
34:14but water's probably the biggest killer in buildings of this age.
34:17But this, I think, is the last key structural thing that we need to do on this floor
34:21so we can forget about this now.
34:31How are you getting on?
34:32Yeah, we're done. I think it looks all right. It looks good.
34:36That looks really good, doesn't it? We're a difference.
34:38It's nice and secure now. It also looks straighter.
34:41Well, the other end did obviously dip, but, I mean, there is a slight bend,
34:44but it's majority on the old timber.
34:46Oh, it looks really good, yeah? Yeah.
34:48Well, it's a good job done, isn't it? Yeah.
34:49That'll do it for another couple more centuries, will it?
34:52Oh, certainly our lifetime anyway, so...
34:54I'm not planning on replacing that again, so... No.
34:59With the building structure secured, Donna and Paul can sleep soundly.
35:05But with five whole floors to renovate,
35:09their dream home is still a long way off.
35:17Coming up, could sparks fly with some antique lamps?
35:22I wanted to make sure there was no loose fastenings.
35:25We will see if we have a falling lantern at some point today.
35:28And will Terry and Ashley's garden impress these VIPs?
35:33Bonjour. Bonjour. Bienvenue.
35:35Good morning, how are you? I'm good, you?
35:45In eastern France, at Chateau de Chassignol,
35:49Anna and Max are preparing their courtyard
35:52for a special alfresco lunch.
35:56So the family are arriving in a few hours,
35:59so we need to get all the flowers and plants into position.
36:02I need to dress the benches.
36:05You need to hang the lanterns.
36:07There's quite a bit to do.
36:13I'd like to group the plants by sort of colours
36:16and mix and match a bit.
36:18Hopefully when everything's out,
36:20it'll look lush and inviting
36:22and just a little bit more welcoming.
36:28Yeah, that might be about the right height, actually.
36:33It's more central, from this angle anyway.
36:36Yeah, I think that's right.
36:38The lanterns that I've bought are antique.
36:42They're most likely 100 years old
36:44and the chains look original,
36:47so I wanted to make sure there was no loose fastenings.
36:49We will see if we have a falling lantern at some point today.
36:54With the space dressed,
36:56all that's left to do is set the table.
37:06I think it's looking done and family's coming very soon.
37:09Yeah, let's go change.
37:11OK.
37:11OK.
37:16What was once a neglected dumping ground,
37:21overgrown and left to ruin,
37:29has now been brought back to life
37:31as the beating heart of this chateau.
37:34Freed from vines,
37:38the sandstone walls are warm and bright.
37:42The ground cleared and re-leveled
37:45with restored pillars standing proudly alongside.
37:50And the whole space dressed with carefully chosen plants
37:55and up-cycled furniture.
37:58Whilst two olive trees in Anna's treasured planters
38:03frame the entrance,
38:05ready to welcome their visitors inside.
38:08Hello.
38:10Hello.
38:15Anna's parents, Alistair and Judith,
38:20along with cousin Jennifer and family,
38:24are the new courtyard's first guests.
38:29Come on in.
38:31Excited to see what you've been up to.
38:34My goodness.
38:36Wow.
38:37I have to say.
38:38It's beautiful.
38:40It's looking super.
38:41It really is.
38:42This is fabulous.
38:44Gorgeous, Anna.
38:44Really.
38:45It's lifted everything.
38:46It looks so good.
38:48Yeah.
38:49Well done.
38:50Really well done.
38:51I think we need to celebrate all the work you've done.
38:55Yay!
38:59This courtyard looks super
39:01and it's been a long, hard slog for them
39:05just to get it to this stage.
39:07I'm really proud.
39:08I taste you Anna and Max.
39:11Well done.
39:11Well done.
39:12Well done.
39:13Cheers.
39:15It's just like a complete transformation.
39:18It's amazing.
39:19To see it now all open
39:20and the sunlight coming in,
39:22it just, it looks amazing.
39:26We're feeling absolutely exhausted.
39:28Yeah.
39:29But really pleased.
39:31Really pleased with how it's turned out.
39:33As I always say,
39:34when you do a house like this,
39:36it's a marathon.
39:37It's not a sprint.
39:38It's lovely to have the family here
39:40and enjoy it as an entertaining space
39:43rather than as a renovation space.
39:45The vision of it as a family home
39:47is really coming together.
39:50Anna and Max have completed
39:53their first Chateau transformation.
39:56But with a baby on the way
39:58and 30 rooms to tackle inside,
40:00it's going to be their biggest year yet.
40:14Over 300 miles away,
40:17at Chateau de la Lacelle,
40:21it's the morning of Terry and Ashley's Grand Fête.
40:26Well, it's finally upon us.
40:28Our big day.
40:29Yeah.
40:29It's fantastic.
40:30Just how busy it is.
40:32It's just amazing.
40:33Yeah, it's unbelievable.
40:34This started at five o'clock this morning.
40:36There's always that worry
40:37that when you do something like this
40:39that people aren't going to show up,
40:40that things are just going to go wrong.
40:42But this has just been incredible
40:44from the very first minute we woke up this morning.
40:48The couple have teamed up with local residents
40:51to hold this extravaganza in the Chateau grounds.
40:59With a vintage car show,
41:03stalls selling local arts and crafts
41:07and plenty of home-grown country produce.
41:13It's been busy the last two, three weeks, really,
41:16trying to get everything ready for this event.
41:18But now that it's all happened,
41:19it's just amazing to see it all come alive.
41:23It's just a massive family atmosphere with everybody.
41:26Big picnics and lots of music.
41:29It's great.
41:31Bonjour, bienvenue.
41:32Good morning, how are you?
41:33I'm good, you?
41:34Good, thank you.
41:35Bonjour.
41:35Amongst today's visitors are VIP guests,
41:40the mayor of La La Salle
41:42and the mayor of nearby town Alençon.
41:45Do you want to see the travaux?
41:47Yes, sir.
41:49It's a chance for Ashley
41:51to show off their front garden restoration so far.
41:55Yes, we started the travaux here the 1st of May of this year.
42:01It's too hot now.
42:03And here there's no irrigation,
42:05so it's difficult.
42:06We only have grass, it's formal,
42:09but it's not the same as the other gardens.
42:12The gardens in the back are very magnificent.
42:15The completed formal gardens at the back of the Chateau
42:19are a showcase for the family's hard work and vision.
42:24You can think of the Grand Jardin of Versailles too.
42:28Yes, it's a Petit Jardin.
42:30The Jardin of Versailles.
42:30Yes.
42:31We'll call it the Petit Versailles.
42:33High praise indeed.
42:41Meanwhile, inside the Chateau, Terry is on tour duty.
42:46We've created with all of the reed and ribbon design,
42:49so all of the crosses have all been hand-painted twice.
42:53And then the fireplace as well, that was never originally here.
42:57So the blue bedroom is more of a Louis XV style.
43:01And obviously with the vaulted ceiling as well,
43:03we create it just to give it that double height.
43:15This room, our plan for this will create more of a sort of classical Louis XV style.
43:21We live nearby, so we drive fast quite a bit.
43:23So actually to come in and see it and see all their hard work, it's incredible.
43:27The detail, just incredible. And it just looks so fantastic.
43:34Having got off to a great start, Terry and Ashley can relax and soak in the scene.
43:49It's just amazing. Obviously this is what we set out just to share La La Salle with everyone.
43:54And it's just fantastic that so many people have attended today.
43:57We've got to this stage to be able to host something like this.
44:00Yeah.
44:01I think if you'd have said to us four years ago,
44:03we'll be hosting the biggest event La La Salle has ever seen,
44:06I wouldn't have believed you.
44:07But now I am genuinely unbelievably over the moon.
44:10The success of Terry and Ashley's first Grand Fête is a cause for celebration for the whole family.
44:19But with so many projects ahead, their adventure here is only just beginning.
44:31Next time, will this bride and groom pull off their dream wedding?
44:36Are these tablecloths?
44:38Yeah, I think so. Isn't that clean?
44:39I'll just hope everything's there.
44:41The pressure's on for another pair.
44:43Make sure it's in the middle. Or not.
44:47And Terry and Ashley take on a hefty new restoration.
44:52These are the biggest, heaviest wall sconces I've ever seen.
45:08The end of the day that we have, that's our true journey.
45:11I'm not going to unfortunately be through.
45:17It's what it seems like.
45:23And we've been through.
45:24It's very dry.
45:25And we've been there.
45:26A lot of the people.
45:26And we've been through.
45:26And I think so many people.
45:27And I just found anybody.
45:28And we've been through.
45:28And I hope for a totally unique thing.
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