Thank you, David! "So many rewards waiting" is the part I have to remind myself of when I'm standing in a hallway fiddling with yet another broken light switch. The bones really are good though, and we're trying to be patient with the rest. ☺️
As someone who renovated an 1889 Victorian, a ‘70s contemporary, and a dozen other homes I have lived in, and as an electrical and mechanical engineer, i feel both deep sympathy and immense envy for you. I wish I were there! Enjoy the trials and the tribulations. May you have a bounty of both.
I am so excited for you and your family! Also, deeply envious of your working bread oven, river views, private forest (mushrooms in the fall!! be still my heart) and quaint chapel.
For many, many years I dreamed of that life and visited oodles of properties that did not (sadly) speak to me... Alas, this was not the life the universe had in mind. But I am thrilled you get that life and look forward to reading and seeing more as it all unfolds.
The universe has a way of routing people toward what they're actually meant for, even when it doesn't look like the original dream they had in mind. And oh my goodness the mushrooms in the fall! I'm genuinely excited about that ☺️
I love this so much. I wish I was younger and had the courage to do what you’re doing. ✨ magical. I’m just trying to work through the logistics of spreading 3-6 months in France next year.
Please write about the three to six months when it happens because I would love to read about your adventure, Christine~ And I mean this genuinely - the courage was less a feeling and more just a decision we kept making until we couldn't unmake it. You're already partway there 💛
It’s a double edged sword for me. I want to go, I can go, but it means leaving my son for that period of time. He’s a grown adult and he runs our business but we’re very close and talk most days. My husband would also only come part of the time. I simply must be certain that it will be worth being away from both of them and my beautiful writing community here on the coast. I’m in Australia so we already have a pretty good life. It’ll be a jomo situation - I must embrace the joy of missing out on what’s happening here to enjoy my time there.
Oh my goodness, Kamille. This is absolutely amazing!! I can't wait to read more about what you all are going to do! I'm so excited to be along for this journey. :)
I love the chapel. I have woods and everytime we hike, I am so thankful for the place we live in. It would be so cool to actually ‘stop in’ to kneel and give thanks.
The chapel stopped us all in our tracks the first time we found it. That discovery alone was worth the whole purchase. And I love that you have your woods and that you stop and notice them. That noticing is everything.
Thank you, Marie! It is a big project and some days it feels enormous and other days it just feels a little more like home. And watching the kids grow up here is quite special :)
Wow. What a huge project ahead. I’m sure we could trade a lot of notes. I love how these old chateaux have their own chapels. When we FaceTime friends, they’re always blown away by the beauty of our wood beams. And, oh, the heating dilemma! And banking! For windows, worth considering a German or Polish manufacturer.
Banking, heating, windows - you just listed three things we're currently dealing with! Are you on the other side of your project? Or in the thick of it? And noted on the German and Polish manufacturers. We're not at the replacement stage yet but we will be soon and I'd rather have that information early than late. What's your place like?
Congrats!! What an amazing property you’ve found, and I can’t wait to see how it takes shape.
I fully empathize on the responsibility of claiming a place like this for your own. We recently bought a magnificent maison de maître and while the house is in great shape, there are always so many things to be done. Our big project for 2026 is new double-paned windows, because like you said - winters can be bone-chilling!
Omg yes! We should chat about resources for the double-pane windows! I’ve heard there are companies here that specialize in authentic ‘reproductions', but with double or single-pane glass. So much research to do. And congrats on your maison de maître! Sounds lovely, even with the bone-chilling winters ❄️❤️
That is exactly what we’ve had to find since our house is in the historic centre ville of our town! In fact, we had to get approval from the Bâtiment de France…but hopefully the new ones will last for ages as well. :)
There’s so much potential! And I can’t wait to see the landscape evolve and to reveal more surprises.
Bonne chance! Such an impressive property with so much history, so much potential, and so many rewards waiting for you. 💜
Thank you, David! "So many rewards waiting" is the part I have to remind myself of when I'm standing in a hallway fiddling with yet another broken light switch. The bones really are good though, and we're trying to be patient with the rest. ☺️
As someone who renovated an 1889 Victorian, a ‘70s contemporary, and a dozen other homes I have lived in, and as an electrical and mechanical engineer, i feel both deep sympathy and immense envy for you. I wish I were there! Enjoy the trials and the tribulations. May you have a bounty of both.
I am so excited for you and your family! Also, deeply envious of your working bread oven, river views, private forest (mushrooms in the fall!! be still my heart) and quaint chapel.
For many, many years I dreamed of that life and visited oodles of properties that did not (sadly) speak to me... Alas, this was not the life the universe had in mind. But I am thrilled you get that life and look forward to reading and seeing more as it all unfolds.
The universe has a way of routing people toward what they're actually meant for, even when it doesn't look like the original dream they had in mind. And oh my goodness the mushrooms in the fall! I'm genuinely excited about that ☺️
Be sure to cultivate a friendly relationship with your local pharmacist… checking mushrooms is part of what they do!
Oh my goodness -- what a beautiful property and fun family adventure!
Thank you, Celia! It really is a family adventure in every sense. Some days more adventure than others. So glad you're along for it ☺️
I love this so much. I wish I was younger and had the courage to do what you’re doing. ✨ magical. I’m just trying to work through the logistics of spreading 3-6 months in France next year.
Please write about the three to six months when it happens because I would love to read about your adventure, Christine~ And I mean this genuinely - the courage was less a feeling and more just a decision we kept making until we couldn't unmake it. You're already partway there 💛
It’s a double edged sword for me. I want to go, I can go, but it means leaving my son for that period of time. He’s a grown adult and he runs our business but we’re very close and talk most days. My husband would also only come part of the time. I simply must be certain that it will be worth being away from both of them and my beautiful writing community here on the coast. I’m in Australia so we already have a pretty good life. It’ll be a jomo situation - I must embrace the joy of missing out on what’s happening here to enjoy my time there.
Oh my goodness, Kamille. This is absolutely amazing!! I can't wait to read more about what you all are going to do! I'm so excited to be along for this journey. :)
Having you along for the journey means so much, Abbie! There is so much more to come and I cannot wait to share it.
I love the chapel. I have woods and everytime we hike, I am so thankful for the place we live in. It would be so cool to actually ‘stop in’ to kneel and give thanks.
What an adventure the whole property is!
The chapel stopped us all in our tracks the first time we found it. That discovery alone was worth the whole purchase. And I love that you have your woods and that you stop and notice them. That noticing is everything.
I love this! 🙏 You’ve certainly taken on a big project, but what a dream to be able to do it! And see your kids grow up there. Wonderful. 💛
Thank you, Marie! It is a big project and some days it feels enormous and other days it just feels a little more like home. And watching the kids grow up here is quite special :)
Wow. What a huge project ahead. I’m sure we could trade a lot of notes. I love how these old chateaux have their own chapels. When we FaceTime friends, they’re always blown away by the beauty of our wood beams. And, oh, the heating dilemma! And banking! For windows, worth considering a German or Polish manufacturer.
Banking, heating, windows - you just listed three things we're currently dealing with! Are you on the other side of your project? Or in the thick of it? And noted on the German and Polish manufacturers. We're not at the replacement stage yet but we will be soon and I'd rather have that information early than late. What's your place like?
Not sure one’s ever “done” but we’ve achieved a certain steady state. You framed it well in another post, carving out livable spaces.
Looks amazing good luck with your renovations. I'm Richard's sister in law. He's your Dad's neighbor.
Ah yes, we love Richard! Thanks so much for following along :)
I can't wait to read and see it all. What a huge project!!!
Thank you! Definitely overwhelming! We will be documenting the whole process, for better or worse! 😂
Congrats!! What an amazing property you’ve found, and I can’t wait to see how it takes shape.
I fully empathize on the responsibility of claiming a place like this for your own. We recently bought a magnificent maison de maître and while the house is in great shape, there are always so many things to be done. Our big project for 2026 is new double-paned windows, because like you said - winters can be bone-chilling!
Omg yes! We should chat about resources for the double-pane windows! I’ve heard there are companies here that specialize in authentic ‘reproductions', but with double or single-pane glass. So much research to do. And congrats on your maison de maître! Sounds lovely, even with the bone-chilling winters ❄️❤️
That is exactly what we’ve had to find since our house is in the historic centre ville of our town! In fact, we had to get approval from the Bâtiment de France…but hopefully the new ones will last for ages as well. :)
This is magnificent! I’m looking forward to watching the changes.
The changes are going to be slow and occasionally humbling but I promise to document all of it honestly. So glad to have you watching!
Well….labor ‘o love. Best luck
Some days more labor, some days more love. Currently navigating which one is winning 😂 Thank you!
Just WOW!
Thank you, Lu!!
Thank you for sharing, it is so fun to live vicariously through you!!
Vicarious living is absolutely welcome here, Cara! Pull up a chair, there is plenty more coming 💛