Jane and Rory
Rory and Jane credit Château DIY as the catalyst for their move. They are thrilled to be part of the community and look forward to seeing their château featured on the show. The filming process has been exciting—aside from the occasional mishap, like when a piece of coving fell on Jane’s head!
Sharon and Tim
Château de la Grillère is located on the outskirts of Saint Germain les Belles, a peaceful commune in the Haute-Vienne region of southwest France. Just 42 km (26 miles) from the city of Limoges and a 40-minute drive from Limoges International Airport, the chateau offers a tranquil escape with convenient access to nearby attractions.
Sarah and Bart
Their decision to embark on the restoration of the Grande Maison was fueled by a blend of eccentricity, audacity, and a belief in their own capabilities, despite the overwhelming amount of work ahead. Drawn by the region’s allure, with its vineyards and culinary delights, they were captivated by the charm of the area, the scenic vistas, and the untapped potential of their new home.
Jon and Carmen
This is no ordinary chateau – its tower was built in about 980 AD to protect the Lot river from marauders. The pirates turned into poachers and took over the tower and in 1450 (ish) added what is referred to as the ‘Pirates’ wing into the ground. Now Jon and Carmen are restoring it to it’s former glory!
Ash, Terry & Tracy
The Château embodies everything they had envisioned during their search for properties in France. From its grandeur to its character and charm, it fulfilled their desires and surpassed their expectations. As the centerpiece of their new life, it symbolises the beginning of their journey towards their dream
lifestyle in France.
Chris and Jolyon
Chris and Jolyon met when they used to work for the Foreign Office in 2008. Since they were kids, they both separately always dreamed of owning a Château, but never thought their dream could become a reality.
Julia and Paul
The Chateau is fortunate enough to still hold some of its original artwork. There is a huge 18th Century Directoire oil canvas on the wall behind the sweeping staircase which would have been incredibly fashionable during the 1790’s. They are looking forward to ensuring the painting is retained and protected to the highest standard.
Trish
Trish moved to Paris from America in 2008 for work and after more than a decade in the city, she was ready for a change. The first COVID lockdown was the push she needed to sell her small Parisian apartment and find a house in the suburbs.
Debbie, Paul, Aaron, Harriet & Hannah
Château de la Boutiniére, is 5 minutes’ drive from the picturesque village of Saint Pierre de Maillé. The River Gartemps runs through the centre of the village, so you can buy coffee and croissant from the local boulangerie and enjoy it whilst sitting next to the river, overlooking the weir and of the old watermill.
Christina and Sassan
After moving from the States (Christina) and Iran (Sassan) to the UK, it was a longtime dream for the couple to relocate to Europe. After reading a lot of travel novels and taking many trips across the channel, the couple decided that buying a chateau in France would be an amazing opportunity.
Nick and Nicole
Nick is half-French and Nicole is Swedish by origin. One of the reasons for moving is for a lifestyle change. They’re looking forward to moving away from the city and going back to nature. One of the plans they have for the Château is to create amazing experiences for people to reconnect with themselves and go back to their roots.
Philip and Angelina
Having grown up in Cornwall Philip eventually moved to London, working in property, where he met Angelina and they got engaged. After deciding London was no more, they started looking for somewhere to live while trying to find a wedding venue.
Alison and Zion
Château de la Boutiniére, is 5 minutes’ drive from the picturesque village of Saint Pierre de Maillé. The River Gartemps runs through the centre of the village, so you can buy coffee and croissant from the local boulangerie and enjoy it whilst sitting next to the river, overlooking the weir and of the old watermill.
Erin and Jean-Baptiste
Set in a 16-hectare park and woodlands, the building is so large it even boasts its own moat. And the land includes four large holiday cottages that had been converted from historical out houses and stables in 2009.
George and Sarah
In 1823 the architect who designed the Château de Brives incorporated many interesting items from his travels around the world into the building. Chic and beautifully furnished with French decorative antiques, it sleeps 16 guests.
Angela and Steve
This stunning 19th century château in the heart of south west France dates back to the 19th century. It’s set in extensive private grounds with heated swimming pool.
Wendy and Marcus
This 19th century château is in the heart of the Natural Regional Park the Caps et Marie d’Opale was built in 1875 by Andre Joseph Courtat to celebrate the birthplace of his wife. It hosts weddings and vow renewals too, and its gardens include a wedding chapel as well as a courtyard bar and barn.
Vanessa and Ben
Set in the beautiful Creuse countryside, the Château de Joli Bois includes three large out-buildings and 7 hectares of land. The owners describe it as a retreat from the intensity of life.
Janet and Philip
The Château de la Fare is a stunning historical building in South France. Previously it’s been home to a Knights Templar, as well as a musketeer believed to be one of Alexandre Dumas’s Three Musketeers.
Rebecca and Tim
A magical 18th century petit château split into two roughly identical wings and set in 15 acres of secluded, private parkland and woodland that includes a watermill.
May and Guy
Offering retreats and self-catering holidays, this magnificent château in the Loire Valley boasts 20-acre grounds and includes a coach house and a farm cottage.
Ashley and Johnny
This château is in a small village in Montpouillan, south west France even includes an art gallery as well as a café come brocante, where absolutely everything is for sale, even your plate and the chair you’re sitting on.
Paul and Emma
The château has seen a complete renovation, of its 30 rooms and 10 acres. Originally completed in 1878.
Amy and Marc and baby Clement
This medieval château is located in the forests and mountains of northern Ardeche has its first written records from the 12th Century. Once it served as a base for lords in this region and had garrisons of knights attached to it. But since then it’s been a working farm for over a thousand years.
Paul and Donna
Built in 1607 the Château de Saugé by the Rion family this property boasts domed ceilings and grounds that include much older vaulted caves.
Becky and Mark
The original château was built in 1647 and extended in the 1800s in southwest France, about an hour’s drive from Toulouse.
Jayne and Steve
The Château de Thuries in March 2018, is a boutique Chambres d’Hotes and events venue.
Located under an hour from both Toulouse and Carcassonne it’s the perfect place to unwind.
Margreeth and Tim
The Château de Lys, or the “Castle of Lillies” is set in the Somme valley. The main house was originally built as a hunting retreat, and the château has grown over time with new each owner. It’s still being added to today.
Abbie, Karen Clive and Ross
Overlooking the medieval town of Beaulieu-Sur-Dordogne, Château du Doux, was designed by one of the world’s leading 20th Century architects, Jean-Louis Pascal, who also designed the famous Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris.
Sasha and Tim
A beautiful and tranquil boutique hotel with Spa, close to the Canal du Midi in sunny Cathar country. The Château du Puits es Pratx consists of the château itself, various outbuildings where vineyard workers used to live, and as a focal point, a stunning courtyard.
