Escape to the Chateau DIY (2018–2021): Season 5, Episode 9 - Episode #5.9 - full transcript
I'm Dick Strawbridge,
and along with my wife Angel...
Angel: Hello!
Dick, voice-over: and our
two children,
we've lived in this
magnificent chateau
for the past 5 years.
Angel: Aw. It's lovely.
Dick: It's my little
corner of paradise.
Dick, voice-over: It's not
just our home...
Angel: Aah!
Both: Ha ha ha!
Dick, voice-over:
but our business...
Dick: That's a proper kiss!
Dick, voice-over: and with over
a thousand chateaux in France...
- Wow!
- Oh, my God.
Absolutely incredible.
Dick, voice-over: we're not
the only Brits buying
into the French fairytale.
- Do you like it?
- Wow!
I mean, yes.
It is gorgeous.
Dick, voice-over: We'll follow
more daring owners...
Man: It looks to be
a massive undertaking.
Dick, voice-over:
and familiar faces...
Fiona: Why?
Dick, voice-over: as they battle
to renovate their homes...
Boy: That is disgusting.
Dick, voice-over: and we'll
reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Angel: That is lovely.
Dick, voice-over:
There'll be ups...
Woman: Ohh! Well done.
This is beautiful.
Dick, voice-over: and downs.
Woman: What are you gonna do,
not do it today?
Man: It's gonna take all day.
Woman: Yeah, but there's
no alternative.
Dick, voice-over: But however
hard the going gets...
Woman: No!
Dick, voice-over:
these plucky Brits...
Woman: Ohh!
Dick, voice-over: get to live
the dream
as custodians...
Man: God bless France!
Dick, voice-over: of their
very own castle.
Today...
Anna: Yay, I got you.
I got you.
Dick, voice-over:
one family continue
their marathon
restoration project.
Anna: You reckon that's OK
for that, Philipp.
- Yeah.
- Feels like this is really out.
Philipp: Happened to me in
my early years as well.
Dick, voice-over: 3 generations
of new chateau owners...
Girl: Mummy!
Becky: Bonjour.
Dick, voice-over: attempt to win
over their local community.
Becky: It seems to be going
all right.
Get them all a little bit tipsy.
No, it's nice.
Dick, voice-over: And this
couple hope to find
their dream French castle...
Iain: This is so special,
this one.
Dick, voice-over:
6 long years after first
starting their search.
Iain: It has the look
of a room transfer
that would have
a secret door.
- But you have one.
- Oh, that's awesome.
Dick, voice-over: When asked
their ideal place to live,
4 out of 5 French people
opt for the countryside.
More and more Brits are
in full agreement,
and you can buy a chateau here
for the price of a regular house
in the UK.
Take the beautiful Chateau
de Saginvey.
With parts dating back to
the 17th century,
it's believed to once have
been home
to one of the real-life
three musketeers.
Today it belongs to engineer
Mark and music teacher Becky,
who bought it for £645,000
8 months ago
as a family home for them
and their daughters Sophia
and Charlotte.
Mark: When Becky's father and I
drove past here,
it was just that moment
where just like this is it.
Becky: Last night we managed
to actually
sit out on the veranda,
and I was saying to Mark,
"It's--it's amazing, isn't it?
It's ours.
It's our home.
Can we believe it?"
[Laughs]
Dick, voice-over: Located 45
miles from the Pyrenees
in southwest France,
the family don't yet live here
full time.
Becky plans to make the move
from their home in Abu Dhabi
with the girls next year
while Mark will continue
overseeing engineering contracts
across the Middle East.
Mark: For the sort of next
3 to 5 years,
it's just going to be about
slowly developing the house,
getting into, and maintaining it
very much as a family home.
Dick, voice-over: While the
family travel back and forth,
Becky's dad George, a retired
headmaster,
has moved here permanently
from the Isle of Wight
to look after the chateau
when they're away.
George: It is a new sense
of life.
Suddenly the energy returned
and the purpose.
As long as I can keep active,
I'm happy.
Dick, voice-over: Well, George,
with the amount of work to do,
keeping active shouldn't
be a problem.
Becky: Yeah, there's a lot more
to do in here, isn't there?
Mark: These rooms really haven't
been touched
in the best part of 60 years.
George: The floor, actually,
is very good.
Becky: It is.
George: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
They've also made some
interesting discoveries,
like rotating urinals.
Mark: If we get these...
Becky: Cleaned up.
Mark: cleaned up.
So like on--on this side,
it's difficult to see
in the paint,
but I think that might actually
say 1802 or something like that.
George: Has somebody written
the history of that pissoir?
Mark: No.
Dick, voice-over: Before they
start on the inside, though,
the family wants to lay
the foundations
of making this their
forever home
by integrating with
the locals,
so have offered drinks
in their courtyard
before the village fete
in a months' time.
Mark: The Fete des Voisins
is a really important event
both for the community,
because it is effectively
the fete of neighbors.
Becky: So the hope is when we
have the Fetes des Voisins
next door that we're going to
get the community
to come in for a few drinks
beforehand to celebrate.
George: Time to chop down
some brambles.
That's what I do.
So what are you going to do?
Dick, voice-over: Mark and Becky
want to create
the best possible first
impression,
so it's down to young...
Mark: Do you want to help pull
those bits of ivy off?
Dick, voice-over: and old to
tackle the years of overgrowth
at the front of the chateau.
Becky: So now we've got
all the fun part
of tidying and clearing away
everything
that we've managed to pull off.
George: This is when I go
flat on my back.
Becky: Right.
That's looking a lot better.
Got to finish up
around here.
And then we're almost done
with this section.
Dick, voice-over: Working at the
front of the chateau
provides a chance to give out
some more invites
to the courtyard drinks to some
of the passersby.
[Speaking French]
Mark: This is exactly
the sort of thing we wanted
when we came here is,
you know,
to be able to integrate
into the village.
Engagement like that is
just brilliant.
Becky: We better crack on with
getting the place looking tidy.
Dick, voice-over:
You better had.
Becky and Mark are leaving
over the next few days.
And before they do,
they want to spruce up
the barn doors in the courtyard
where they're hosting
the welcome drinks.
Mark: Let's have a look to see
how this is going to lift.
Becky: OK.
Do we need some WD-40
or something on them?
Mark: I'm going to try
and just see
whether I can lift this
with a pickaxe.
Dick, voice-over: First they
want to get the heavy oak door
off its hinges so they
can sand it out of the sun.
Mark: Can you bring
the metal bar in?
George: Do you want it there?
Mark: Yeah, that's right. OK.
1, 2, 3.
Becky: OK. Done it.
Mark: OK. Yep.
Becky: That's it?
Fantastic.
George: Will it fit in
the garage doors?
Mark: We'll soon find out.
Becky: OK.
George: OK.
Mark: OK, there we go.
Becky: I don't think this
is going to take
more than a couple of hours.
Dick, voice-over: But with
the rest of the courtyard doors
to sand, it's not
a small job.
Mark: I go tomorrow morning
and come back on Thursday
morning. It should be done.
Becky: Yep.
Mark: Excellent.
Dick, voice-over: As Mark and
Becky are both heading away,
George will be flying solo.
No pressure.
About 250 miles north in
the Loire Valley,
Scotsman Iain and wife Kate
are trying to find a chateau
to call home after 6 years
of searching.
Iain: In the early years
when we were looking,
we were looking at, "Wow,
everything is just so pretty,"
and it's just--but now I look at
windows, I look at roofs.
Now we look at plumbing,
electric, heating,
and I think that's
where a lot of the horror
stories emanate from
with chateau projects.
Dick, voice-over:
You're so right.
Having sold their family home
and a stake in their business
in Australia,
a lot is on the line.
For their £1.3 million budget,
they're on the hunt
for somewhere with
business potential
that's also large enough
for their extended family.
Iain: We have a healthy budget.
We feel we will get--
there will be opportunity
to buy something in
that budget
that will meet all of our needs.
Kate: And perhaps we might need
to raise it a little bit.
Iain: Sure, sure.
Kate: [Laughs]
Iain: And I'll probably continue
working till I'm 75
in some capacity. No.
Dick, voice-over: Packed with
pretty villages and scenery,
the Loire Valley's strong
tourist appeal
will help their plans to bring
in income from holiday lets.
Not only that, there are plenty
of chateaux here to choose from.
Iain: I'm blown away with just
how incredible it is.
Dick, voice-over: They've
already seen two.
The first was a financial
stretch,
but as an up-and-running
business, appealed to Iain.
Iain: This will be difficult
to surpass.
This has set the bench
pretty high.
Dick, voice-over: The second
came in under budget
and not only delivered on
character for Kate,
but got a big thumbs up
from the family.
Kate: This is exactly what
we're looking for.
Iain: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over: Today they're
heading about 30 miles
from the town of Tours
to the 18th-century
Chateau de Chanteloire.
Celine: Hi. Bonjour.
Welcome.
Dick, voice-over: Agent Celine
is here to hand over the keys
for an unguided private tour.
With an asking price of
£687,000,
this 7-bedroom chateau
is well below budget.
[Indistinct chatter]
Joining them are daughter
Jade, husband Ryan,
and their children.
They start with
the entrance hall.
Jade: Oh, wow, look at
the floors, Mum.
Iain: It's very authentic.
Kate: Wow.
Iain: It's a really traditional
hallway. It's really lovely.
Kate: Yeah, I really like this.
Ryan: Just like instance
character
as you walk in, isn't it?
Iain: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over: A great
first impression.
There's also income
potential here
with 5 guest rooms and a large
reception room
for hosting events.
Kate: Good to know that they've
had a business running here.
And accommodation.
Jade: Yeah. Yeah.
Kate: So perfect.
Dick, voice-over: So far
so good.
Next, into the salon.
Iain: This is a lovely
proportioned room, isn't it?
Kate: And it just lets in
all the light,
and still has original features.
Wouldn't take much.
Iain: They have the original
marble fireplace as well.
Kate: I know...
Iain: It's stunning.
Kate: which is really important
to us.
Dick, voice-over: Whilst it's
easy to have your head turned
by the grandeur of these places,
it's vital to look beyond
charming appearances.
- That's actually...
- That looks like water damming.
Kate: I would say, yeah,
dry rot.
It's all the way over.
Sometimes dry rot goes up.
So it could be something
happening in the footings.
Dick, voice-over: Well spotted,
Kate.
Left untreated,
dry rot can result
in an expensive battle
to eliminate it.
This needs to be kept in mind
if there are other jobs
that need to be done.
Jade: There's nothing here.
Kate: You literally would have
to kit out the whole kitchen,
which I suppose if you're
starting from new
is not a bad thing.
Proportions-wise,
I suppose you could maybe
knock out walls.
Yeah, so that's just
a plaster wall.
It really is a blank canvas.
We could do whatever we like
with it.
Dick, voice-over: Looks like
this one
has the creative juices flowing.
But I wonder whether perhaps
it's a bigger project
than they had in mind.
Kate: I couldn't say that
I'm in love with it.
I could definitely make it
work for us,
but I'm not in love with
the building at this stage.
Dick, voice-over: This is the
16-room Chateau de Gonneville.
Set in a 15-acre wooded
estate,
its owners are British fashion
designer Anna
and her Italian husband Philipp,
a filmmaker,
who moved from Paris with
their daughters Ella and Lily
a few months ago.
Anna: I think that when
our second was born,
we just realized that
the city life
wasn't really for us
as a family anymore,
and we wanted to move
to the countryside,
and that's where the idea to buy
a chateau kind of came from.
Philipp: The kids completely
forgot about
the existence of a television
since we're here,
so they, you know, they have so
many other things to do.
Dick, voice-over: Situated near
to the Normandy coast,
they bought the chateau for
£900,000
with a huge loan
on the basis of opening
a B&B in 7 months' time.
But it's been far from
plain sailing.
Man: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over:
Before starting work on
their business, though,
they decided to transform
the attic
into family accommodation.
With money tight, Philipp is
trying to do
most of the work himself.
Philipp: I'm lacking
the experience,
so it is sometimes a little bit
stressful.
Everything needs
precise measurement
and a lot of patience.
That's just not me.
Dick, voice-over: As the
family's currently living
on the lower floors,
the pressure's on to get
the bedrooms habitable.
Today he's replacing
the rotten window frames
in the girls' bedroom with the
help of carpenter Benoit.
Philipp: You think when
you change the windows--
you look at the price of
the windows,
and you think, "Oh, that's OK."
That's the wood that we found
underneath the window.
Dick, voice-over: In old
buildings like this,
exposed woodwork that hasn't
been regularly painted
and properly maintained
can often be a problem.
Philipp: Now what we're
getting out here
used to be the beam,
a beam, and now it's...dust.
Literally dust.
Right now it's a bit difficult
to imagine
having two children living
in here.
Dick, voice-over: With such
a major problem,
Philipp's had no choice
but to pay to get Benoit in.
Philipp: Ahh, here it is.
Usually you don't have to
replace the structural beams
when you replace a window,
but that's a chateau, isn't it?
Dick, voice-over: That window
frame is beyond repair,
so the whole thing needs
replacing,
and it's going to cost.
Philipp: In theory, this would
be the only windows
that have a rotten base,
so replacing another window
shouldn't take half as much.
At least that's what I hope
because otherwise
it's getting really expensive to
replace all the windows.
Dick, voice-over: Sorry, matey,
but speaking from experience,
I would brace yourself for
a few more bumps along the way.
Philipp: I'd say it's a win.
[Laughs]
That's really nice.
Look at this.
Took us 4 hours.
One window, 4 hours.
Dick, voice-over: Taking
on a chateau can be
a steep learning curve.
Philipp: [Gasps]
Dick, voice-over: But at least
you're still smiling, Philipp.
And it's a good job
because there's still a long way
to go with that room.
Just under 400 miles south,
with Becky and Mark away,
Grandpa George is home alone
sprucing up the courtyard
ready for the village drinks
in 3 weeks' time.
George: I asked them to tell me
which tasks they'd like me
to do.
They will want me to do it
before they return.
Dick, voice-over:
The courtyard door they
took off the hinges together
has been sanded, so now
he's prepping
to tackle door number two.
George: I don't even know
if I'm putting
the mask on the right way round.
I've always assumed that
the little--
this bit here comes at
the bottom.
Dick, voice-over: Actually,
George, it's the other way up
and you pinch that little
piece of metal
over the bridge of your nose.
George: I asked for a pair
of goggles.
Well, these are, I think,
meant for when you're swimming,
but never mind.
And here we are.
Dick, voice-over: The goggles
are good.
As there's no one to help him
take the door to the workshop,
George is doing it in situ.
George: I think my biggest
concern is
when a professional comes along
and looks at what I'm doing
and says, "You're doing it
all wrong," but never mind,
I'm doing what I think is right.
And off we go.
[Sander whirs]
Oh, that's a bummer.
Um, that's not meant to happen.
Just don't know what
went wrong.
These were a bargain in
the local shop.
And here we are.
Dick, voice-over: Cut-price
sanding disk back in place,
George can get back to it.
George: Hey!
This is actually going
quite well. Ho ho.
Well, it's stuck on. Right.
Much better than doing it
by hand as we were
to start with.
Dick, voice-over: Now to tackle
the awkward lower section.
George: Right she goes.
George: These are not nearly
as good
as the more expensive ones,
unfortunately.
And this one's just lost
its stickiness.
Come on, stay. Stay. Stay.
Dick, voice-over: Perhaps they
were cheap for a reason, George.
George: Yes, well, let's
try another one.
Ahh, dear.
Ahh, here we go.
Dick, voice-over: I'm afraid
there's only so far
grit and determination
can get you.
George: So at this point,
I think we have reached
the end of the sanding disks.
So I may end up doing it
by hand.
Dick, voice-over: Good luck,
George.
I'm sure Becky and Mark
will be impressed
with you efforts regardless.
Back in the Loire Valley,
Iain and Kate are viewing
Chateau de Chanteloire.
Iain: It's very authentic.
Kate: Wow.
Dick, voice-over: at £687,000,
it's under budget,
but the ground floor revealed
some costly renovations
would be necessary.
Kate: You literally would have
to kit out the whole kitchen.
Dick, voice-over: Now it's time
to see the state
of the 7 bedrooms upstairs.
Kate: I actually quite like
the stairs.
Jade: Yes. They're beautiful.
Kate: Ooh, I don't like
the wallpaper.
I think everybody has their own
taste, but...
shiny stripes are not really
my thing.
Iain: I'm loving the floor.
Jade: The floor is gorgeous.
Kate: I do love the floor.
I do like it.
Jade: Should we go into
this bedroom?
Kate: And have a look, yeah.
Jade: And have a look.
Dick, voice-over: Wallpaper is
a relatively easy change,
but bedroom two has a more
challenging issue.
Jade: Ew. What's with that?
Kate: Oh, OK.
Definitely have to take
that down.
I think it's to cover up
the bathroom, the entrance.
Jade: Ohh.
Kate: And it definitely
has to go.
Jade: No, yeah.
Because it makes look way more
smaller than it is.
Dick, voice-over: Upstairs seems
to be leaving them cold,
but perhaps that will change
outside,
where the former caretaker's
house
is ripe for generating income as
a holiday let.
Kate: OK.
It's a good size.
Iain: The stone walls are
tremendous.
They look really nice.
Kate: Yeah.
Iain: It's just taking the skin
off all the way around.
- Yeah, exactly what I think.
- It comes back to what it was.
Kate: And you love to demolish
things, so I think--
Iain: Absolutely one of
my passions.
Kate: Demolishing will
definitely
be a good thing in here.
Iain: Yep.
Dick, voice-over: As Angel
and I have found,
knocking down walls
can be fun,
but for now, it's time to
hand back the keys...
Iain: [Speaks French]
Dick, voice-over: and reflect on
what they've seen.
Iain: The chateau has a lot of
positive attributes.
However, I think that
the structural integrity
may require a lot of attention.
Kate: Feel like it's a bit
hollow in there.
It feels like it hasn't been a
home that's been loved.
It's literally been stripped
of all of that.
It's quite cold and unloved.
Dick, voice-over: Oh, well,
perhaps the next viewing
will give Kate that homely
feeling she's after.
After saying good-bye to
the rest of the family,
they're traveling an hour
southeast.
Chateau de Nouilles isn't yet
officially on the market,
but they've had their eyes on it
since renting a cottage
in its grounds on previous
holidays.
Now, having contacted
the owner,
they're viewing it ahead
of the crowd.
Kate: You can be minded
by the romance.
Perhaps I've glamorized it.
And I'm sure that that might be
changed today.
Iain: Very focused in terms of
looking at it as buyers.
So, yeah, excited and nervous
to see
how much work needs to be done.
Hello, Francois.
How are you? Nice to see you.
Dick, voice-over: Owner Francois
has been restoring
the 34-room chateau
to its original splendor
for the past 6 years.
Francois: Would you like
to come in?
Iain: Yes, that would
be lovely.
Francois: Open the second door.
Dick, voice-over: It was built
as a grand family home
at the start of the 1700s,
but many of the period features
were added a century later.
Francois: You see
the dining room.
Iain: This is so special,
this room.
Just look at all the detail
in there.
Francois: It's "always drink
and you will never die."
Iain: Ahh, good saying.
Francois: It's a good promise.
Iain: I think I'll try.
Dick, voice-over:
The place is bursting
with the kind of original
features
Kate and Iain love.
Iain: Would this be to allow
the food to come through
whilst it's still hot?
Francois: Yes, exactly.
So in fact, that's why you have
this piece.
Iain: Yes.
Kate: Oh, perfect. I love that.
I love the details.
Francois: It's basic. Basic.
So you could have the--think
of how many dishes...
Iain: I know.
Have come through there.
Kate: I know. That's awesome.
I love it.
Iain: It has the look of
a room transfer
that would have
a secret door.
There must be one in here
somewhere,
a button somewhere
or something.
Francois: Aha, you're losing,
you're losing.
I won't tell you everything.
But you have one.
Iain: Secrets. Yeah, I have one.
Francois: You have one upstairs.
Kate: Is there?
Francois: Yes.
Kate: [Gasps] Now I'm excited.
Iain: But he's not gonna tell
you where it is,
so you have to go through.
Francois: Yeah, yeah.
You're right. It's good.
Dick, voice-over:
An exciting start
and plenty more secrets
to uncover.
But it's important Iain
and Kate
don't let the romance
take over
when it comes to a final
decision.
In Normandy, it's now over
a month past the date
Anna and Philipp hoped
to have had the attic
apartment finished,
and winter is fast approaching.
Anna: I'm just sticking it
up here.
I don't know if it needs it
up here, but.
Oh, don't look.
Philipp: Hmm?
Dick, voice-over:
With their daughters'
bedroom now insulated,
they're pressing on with fitting
a damp-proof membrane.
Philipp: This is the actual
membrane.
It's the damp-proof membrane
that prevents moisture
to go into the insulating
material.
Anna: Do you reckon that's
OK, Philipp?
Philipp: Yeah.
Anna: Like that?
Philipp: Yeah. It's a good start
for a complete beginner.
Anna: It feels like this
is really out.
Philipp: Yeah, that's
all right.
It happened to me in my early
years as well, so.
Dick, voice-over: A gentle
reminder that wasn't
so long ago, Philipp.
And at £350 for a 70-meter roll,
this high-tech membrane
is a very good investment.
Philipp: You could try
to use a leftover
to save some--'cause these
things, they cost a fortune.
Anna: Oh, yeah?
Philipp: Oh, yeah.
Dick, voice-over: With costs
adding up by the day,
the pressure is really on
Anna and Philipp
to get their apartment ready
as soon as possible
so they can move on
to the business side
of the renovations.
Philipp: We've run out of tape.
Anna: Oh.
Philipp: So I won't be
able to finish that
tonight, unfortunately.
Anna: That's a shame.
Philipp: You see that's
a special tape
because you can just plaster--
plaster over the tape.
Anna: OK.
Philipp: Ohh.
Dick, voice-over: There will be
no plastering or decorating
until this job is finished.
So it's a frustrating delay
for them to contend with.
Anna, though, is keen to get
a move on with aesthetics,
so is putting her fashion
background to good use
design wallpaper for
the girls' bedroom.
Anna: I wanted to do something
kind of fun
and unique for that room.
Lily specified that she wanted
to have a pink bedroom.
That's her favorite color.
I've been looking at kind of
French antique wallpapers
that have that feeling of
something that's quite aged.
Dick, voice-over: Once she's
finished the design,
she'll retouch it digitally
before sending it to
a printing company.
First, though, it needs
client approval
from 4-year-old Lily.
Anna: What do you think?
Lily: I think I want to put
this.
Anna: You like that green,
do you?
Lily: And pink.
Anna: And the pink.
Yeah, I made it pink.
Do you like the pink?
Is it a good color?
Lily: Yes.
Anna: Yeah?
Dick, voice-over:
Painting complete,
Anna needs to piece
her design together
to great seamless wallpaper.
Anna: So I've now scanned
the artwork
and now I'm gonna put it
back together on the computer.
So it's just collaging it
back together, basically.
They match perfectly,
but they have a white edge,
so all of this part that's got
the white has to be filled in.
I'm just gonna cut out
some of the leaves
from other parts of
the artwork
and try to fill it in
like that.
It's quite a lengthy process now
doing this,
but, um, there's no other way to
do it, really.
Dick, voice-over: It may be
a lot of effort,
but there's nothing more
rewarding
than putting your own
21st-century stamp
on these historic buildings.
Fingers crossed those walls will
be ready for papering soon.
In southwest France, Becky,
Mark, and the girls are back
after having left Grandpa George
in charge of the chateau.
Becky: Well, we're not
worried about the inside,
really, are we?
Mark: Not really.
Dick, voice-over: Now it's the
day before
the courtyard drinks party
for the local community,
and they're taking a close look
at the work George did
to the barn doors in
their absence.
Becky: Now that looks lovely.
Mark: It's all right.
Becky: It's beautiful wood.
It looks lovely, Pa,
it really does. It's fantastic.
Dick, voice-over: The spruced up
doors have given the courtyard
a much-needed refresh.
But there's still lots to do
before tomorrow's guests arrive.
Not least, sorting out
the drinks.
Mark: So we've got about
a hundred in total.
And we've got no Pimm's.
Becky: No.
Mark: So we'll have to do
a gin cup.
Oh, joy. OK.
Dick, voice-over: Becky also
needs to finish
making the decorations
for the courtyard.
Becky: I've made some bunting.
I've taken some burlap,
all very basic,
but I've sort of put
a hem on it.
So I'm just threading them
through.
Need to find the end again.
Dick, voice-over: And Mark is
on hand to help.
Mark: We've got about
another 40 or so
triangles to thread on.
Becky: I might get picky
and might take you--
tell you to take some of
them off.
Back to front.
Mark: Too late now. Um.
Should have chosen
a better partner.
Dick, voice-over: Tomorrow is
an important step
towards the family being
integrated into village life
ahead of them moving here
full time.
Mark: This is a community
that sort of gathers round,
so for us to be able to be
a part of that is quite special.
Becky: There's quite a few of
the neighbors
we haven't met yet.
It's good challenge for us,
for our French.
So I'm up for that.
Mark: How--what spacing do you
want them at?
Becky: Well, this is the
million-dollar question,
darling.
I don't really know until we put
it out
between the courtyard
to a certain extent.
Mark: Well, do you want to
come and hold here
and let's see if we can...
Becky: I'll come and hold it
for you.
Mark: Go back and pull it tight.
Being an engineer always helps.
Becky: That'll keep your steps
up. Keep going.
How we doing?
Mark: OK.
Becky: Are we almost to
the end?
Mark: About 41 pieces
at the minute.
Dick, voice-over: Looks like
the bunting is measuring up.
- OK.
- So I think that is done today.
So tomorrow just hang
the bunting,
hang the lights...
Becky: Set up the tables.
Mark: set up the tables,
and get the food out
and drinks out.
Becky: Yeah. That's great.
OK. Fantastic.
Right. Time for tea and tea.
Dick, voice-over:
With a hundred locals
to impress tomorrow,
you could practice your cocktail
mixes while you're at it.
North in the Loire Valley,
would-be owners Iain and Kate
are viewing a chateau
they've been keen on
for a few years.
Francois: So you would love
to see the salon.
Iain: Yes, please.
Thank you.
Dick, voice-over: Owner Francois
is showing them around
before it goes on the market.
Next up is the kitchen,
with a large family space,
something high on Kate's
wish list.
- More of a family room, really.
Kate: It is.
Francois: This fire always on.
Kate: And exactly inviting.
Dick, voice-over: And the room
has a surprising feature.
Francois: And here's built
on a well.
So again, the water here.
Kate: So do you use the well?
Francois: Yes.
It provides you water,
as much water as you want,
to grow your plants
around here.
Dick, voice-over: The chateau is
also on main supply,
but having their own well to
water the large estate
could mean a big saving
on bills.
The kitchen and utility space
next door
once produced meals for
a large household,
but needs a lot of work
to update it.
Francois: OK. Smaller
utility room here.
Like a small shed within
the house.
So you didn't only have,
you know, grand rooms,
but utility rooms for the--
to cook
and to prepare the food.
Dick, voice-over: It has
a fascinating history
and lots of potential,
but is it what Kate and Iain
had in mind
for hosting family or catering
for paying guests?
Kate: The kitchen.
I feel like the bottom floor
we could live in,
but it is a lot of work.
We have to be quite conscious
of money.
Iain: Yeah, absolutely.
Kate: For the renovation.
Dick, voice-over:
Iain's also keen to see
the state of the roof,
as he knows it could be
a costly repair job.
So they're heading to
the attic
that in the 1820s housed
a theater.
Francois: From here now,
you're on the second floor.
- It's a lot of expense.
- It's a great space, isn't it?
Francois: Yeah, it's a square.
It's a large square room.
People would come to the,
you know,
riding horses with carts,
come here, and have a play
before the play would be
showed to Paris.
Kate: That's amazing.
Iain: Fantastic.
Francois: The carpentry's
rather impressive.
Iain: Fantastic carpentry.
Kate: Love the beams.
Iain: Yeah. 17th century,
18th century?
Francois: Oh, this part is
the 18th century.
Iain: 18th century.
Francois: Part of 18th century.
Iain: Phenomenal craftsmanship.
Dick, voice-over: Iain and Kate
fell in love with this place
as holidaymakers.
Iain: Francois, thank you
very much, indeed.
Dick, voice-over: Now they've
had a good chance
to assess what's on offer.
It's time to consider if they're
up for the massive challenge
of taking this on.
Kate: I still love it dearly.
Iain: It doesn't diminish.
Kate: It's still a frontrunner
for me.
Iain: Oh, and me, too.
It feels right.
And I know that's not objective,
but I could see everything
I want to achieve
and do in this chateau.
Kate: Destiny has brought us
together with Francois.
I believe in destiny,
and I feel like--
I don't know, I feel like--
Iain: Meant to be, sort of.
Kate: Maybe meant to be.
Iain: And the local village
has the best cheese shop
in the area, so.
That also has a...
Kate: Exactly. Cheese is good.
Dick, voice-over:
Frommage aside,
Kate and Iain do still have more
chateaux to see,
so a final decision is
on hold...for now.
In Normandy, 10 weeks after
starting work
on daughters Lily and Ella's
bedroom,
the wallpaper Anna's designed is
back from the printers
at a cost of 180 euros.
That works out to be just under
£160.
Anna: I'm quite proud of it.
I'm quite pleased with it.
Dick, voice-over:
And you should be.
First Anna wants to check
the sections of the border
repeat pattern align.
Anna: Just need to find
this last piece.
Yeah, I think that's it.
OK.
OK, so then I know that
this is the corner.
Double check that this fits.
Dick, voice-over: Like Philipp,
Anna is relatively new
to DIY,
so has been watching online
videos
for wallpaper hanging
techniques.
Anna: If I make a mistake,
I don't have extra paper
to redo it, so...
Yeah. It better not--
I better do a good job.
Dick, voice-over:
Here goes nothing.
Anna: Oh. Heh.
It might help if I have it
the right way round. Ahh!
Dick, voice-over:
If in doubt,
it's always a good idea to mark
the top and bottom.
Anna: It's almost perfect.
Um, I think it's OK. Yeah.
I think I'm getting
the hang of it.
Dick, voice-over:
And a little while later,
Anna can survey her handiwork.
Anna: I think it looks
really nice.
So, yeah.
Let's just hope it doesn't
fall off the wall,
when I woke up tomorrow,
come and have a look,
and it's all on the ground.
Dick, voice-over: Time
to show the girls their
finished feature wall.
Anna: Are you ready?
[Gasps]
And whoo!
Philipp: Wow.
Anna: What do you think?
You like it?
Lily: Yes.
- Has Mama done a good job?
- Yes.
Philipp: I think you've done
a wonderful job.
Anna: Yeah? Yeah?
- I'm really, really impressed.
- Thank you.
Dick, voice-over: Well done.
The wall is a beautiful,
personal touch.
Now to get the rest of
the room finished
so the girls can move in.
Almost 400 miles south,
Becky and Mark are also in
a race against time.
It's the day of the village
welcome drinks
and their big chance to win over
the local community.
Mark: Get things ready. Do we
want to get the tables ready?
And then we have to make the
English garden mixed cocktail.
Dick, voice-over: But with
4 hours till guests arrive,
for now there's a more
pressing task.
Becky: The bunting--
Mark: The bunting we should
do now.
It'll take us about 20 minutes
to get that erected.
George: Well, could Becky and I
do the bunting and you get--
Mark: No.
Becky: It would be best
if Mark's going up and down
the ladder.
Mark: So let's do that first,
and then we'll work out what--
Becky: Then I can happily do
all the tables
and the setting of that.
That's easy.
OK, so hats on, sun cream on.
Into the courtyard for bunting.
Mark: Right. OK.
Dick, voice-over: Engineer Mark
has come up
with some precise measurements
to make sure there's an even
length of bunting
strung between all 4 corners
of the courtyard.
Mark: 3 meters to the left.
Becky: Having beautifully placed
the flags at equidistance,
I have a horrible suspicion
it's all going to fall apart
and it will no longer be
at equidistance,
but don't say anything.
We'll just see what happens.
Should look quite nice.
Mark: [Exhales]
I need something to hook onto.
Oh.
Darling, we're hooked on
the table frame.
Becky: Yep.
Now after this, I think we need
to try the drink.
Mark: Or we need to go get the
ingredients to mix it.
Dick, voice-over:
First things first,
to check how the bunting looks
now it's up.
And Becky's not convinced.
Becky: Now of course,
it doesn't look
that big a contrast
between the walls itself
and the bunting.
Never mind.
Dick, voice-over:
No time to dwell on it now,
because next they need to find
elderflower cordial
for their drinks.
Mark: All right,
let's go, girls.
Dick, voice-over: So Mark and
the girls head to the shops
while Grandpa George
and Becky
set about creating outdoor
seating for the local guests.
Becky: Which way are you
putting it?
George: Don't know.
Which way do you think?
Becky: That way or
the other way?
George: No, that's fine.
The wheelbarrow has just
fallen on my toe.
I will now have a black toe.
Becky: Ha ha!
I'll put it down and lift up
the wheelbarrow for you.
George: That's awfully
sweet of you.
Becky: Shall I give it a push?
George: No.
Becky: No.
Dick, voice-over: After getting
to grips with the wheelbarrow,
they can start moving
the benches into position.
Becky: So one down--left down.
Oh, you put right down. OK.
Dick, voice-over: But all
this work is enough
to make anyone hot
under the collar.
Becky: Mr. Savage, stop.
You're going to be exhausted.
Dick, voice-over: At least now
there's plenty of places
to sit down.
Becky: Ahh.
Dick, voice-over: Less than
an hour before
the guests are due,
and Mark's finally back.
But it's not exactly
mission accomplished.
Mark: No elderflower syrup,
so we've ended up going
with a lemon citrus approach.
So hopefully nobody will notice
the difference.
George: Can we get everything
ready then?
If people are really coming
at 7:00,
we've got half an hour and we
haven't got the drinks out.
Dick, voice-over:
Well said, George.
And with guests imminent,
it's all hands to the pump.
Girl: Daddy's actually
in charge of the gin,
but he told me to get
the spoon.
I know it needs mixing.
Dick, voice-over: It came
right down to the wire...
Mark: Bonjour!
Becky: Bonjour.
George: Bonjour.
Very well.
Dick, voice-over: but Becky
and Mark
have the courtyard and cocktails
at the ready
to welcome the local community.
Becky: Rebecca.
Woman: Hello. Mila.
Dick, voice-over:
It looks like everyone
is enjoying the refreshments...
Girl: Mummy!
Another visitor!
Dick, voice-over:
and getting to know each other.
[Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Clearly
they've made a good impression
both on their French neighbors
and fellow ex-pats.
George: [Speaks French]
Woman: It's so nice to have
a family back in the chateau.
Man: Mark and Rebecca
are lovely people,
and their children.
And George, especially.
Woman: Ahh!
[Speaking French]
Becky: It seems to be going
all right.
Get them all a little bit tipsy.
So, yes, no, it's nice.
George: A good turnout.
Very happy.
Mark: It's going brilliantly.
One of our fears was that
perhaps
it would take a long time
to integrate, so--
but for me, without a doubt,
this has been brilliant.
Dick, voice-over: With all
3 generations of the family
getting into the swing
of local life,
Mark and Becky's hopes of
becoming part of the community
are starting to be realized.
And Becky couldn't be
more pleased
with the way their chateau move
is working out.
Becky: We've waited a long time
to find the perfect house.
The neighbors have just been
absolutely amazing.
We're absolutely thrilled
to find it.
Dick, voice-over: Next time...
Anna: You see this
one, Philipp?
This wood right here.
Dick, voice-over:
Anna and Philipp have
a furniture fallout.
Anna: It could be nice if
we painted it.
Philipp: That's such a cliché,
painted old furniture.
Anna: I don't care. I'm just
gonna do it anyway.
Dick, voice-over: A new
discovery at Becky and Mark's...
Mark: Let's go and see how deep
this well really is.
Dick, voice-over:
'causes a stink.
George: It's a bit smelly.
Mark: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
At our place...
Dick: Ahh, look, perfect.
Dick, voice-over:
Dorothy gets to work.
Dick: That's my girl.
Dick, voice-over:
And Iain and Kate
edge closer to a momentous
decision.
Kate: I can see us growing
old here.
- Yeah.
- Our family growing with us.
Man: You like it?
Kate: We love it.
Iain: It's--it's lovely.
and along with my wife Angel...
Angel: Hello!
Dick, voice-over: and our
two children,
we've lived in this
magnificent chateau
for the past 5 years.
Angel: Aw. It's lovely.
Dick: It's my little
corner of paradise.
Dick, voice-over: It's not
just our home...
Angel: Aah!
Both: Ha ha ha!
Dick, voice-over:
but our business...
Dick: That's a proper kiss!
Dick, voice-over: and with over
a thousand chateaux in France...
- Wow!
- Oh, my God.
Absolutely incredible.
Dick, voice-over: we're not
the only Brits buying
into the French fairytale.
- Do you like it?
- Wow!
I mean, yes.
It is gorgeous.
Dick, voice-over: We'll follow
more daring owners...
Man: It looks to be
a massive undertaking.
Dick, voice-over:
and familiar faces...
Fiona: Why?
Dick, voice-over: as they battle
to renovate their homes...
Boy: That is disgusting.
Dick, voice-over: and we'll
reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Angel: That is lovely.
Dick, voice-over:
There'll be ups...
Woman: Ohh! Well done.
This is beautiful.
Dick, voice-over: and downs.
Woman: What are you gonna do,
not do it today?
Man: It's gonna take all day.
Woman: Yeah, but there's
no alternative.
Dick, voice-over: But however
hard the going gets...
Woman: No!
Dick, voice-over:
these plucky Brits...
Woman: Ohh!
Dick, voice-over: get to live
the dream
as custodians...
Man: God bless France!
Dick, voice-over: of their
very own castle.
Today...
Anna: Yay, I got you.
I got you.
Dick, voice-over:
one family continue
their marathon
restoration project.
Anna: You reckon that's OK
for that, Philipp.
- Yeah.
- Feels like this is really out.
Philipp: Happened to me in
my early years as well.
Dick, voice-over: 3 generations
of new chateau owners...
Girl: Mummy!
Becky: Bonjour.
Dick, voice-over: attempt to win
over their local community.
Becky: It seems to be going
all right.
Get them all a little bit tipsy.
No, it's nice.
Dick, voice-over: And this
couple hope to find
their dream French castle...
Iain: This is so special,
this one.
Dick, voice-over:
6 long years after first
starting their search.
Iain: It has the look
of a room transfer
that would have
a secret door.
- But you have one.
- Oh, that's awesome.
Dick, voice-over: When asked
their ideal place to live,
4 out of 5 French people
opt for the countryside.
More and more Brits are
in full agreement,
and you can buy a chateau here
for the price of a regular house
in the UK.
Take the beautiful Chateau
de Saginvey.
With parts dating back to
the 17th century,
it's believed to once have
been home
to one of the real-life
three musketeers.
Today it belongs to engineer
Mark and music teacher Becky,
who bought it for £645,000
8 months ago
as a family home for them
and their daughters Sophia
and Charlotte.
Mark: When Becky's father and I
drove past here,
it was just that moment
where just like this is it.
Becky: Last night we managed
to actually
sit out on the veranda,
and I was saying to Mark,
"It's--it's amazing, isn't it?
It's ours.
It's our home.
Can we believe it?"
[Laughs]
Dick, voice-over: Located 45
miles from the Pyrenees
in southwest France,
the family don't yet live here
full time.
Becky plans to make the move
from their home in Abu Dhabi
with the girls next year
while Mark will continue
overseeing engineering contracts
across the Middle East.
Mark: For the sort of next
3 to 5 years,
it's just going to be about
slowly developing the house,
getting into, and maintaining it
very much as a family home.
Dick, voice-over: While the
family travel back and forth,
Becky's dad George, a retired
headmaster,
has moved here permanently
from the Isle of Wight
to look after the chateau
when they're away.
George: It is a new sense
of life.
Suddenly the energy returned
and the purpose.
As long as I can keep active,
I'm happy.
Dick, voice-over: Well, George,
with the amount of work to do,
keeping active shouldn't
be a problem.
Becky: Yeah, there's a lot more
to do in here, isn't there?
Mark: These rooms really haven't
been touched
in the best part of 60 years.
George: The floor, actually,
is very good.
Becky: It is.
George: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
They've also made some
interesting discoveries,
like rotating urinals.
Mark: If we get these...
Becky: Cleaned up.
Mark: cleaned up.
So like on--on this side,
it's difficult to see
in the paint,
but I think that might actually
say 1802 or something like that.
George: Has somebody written
the history of that pissoir?
Mark: No.
Dick, voice-over: Before they
start on the inside, though,
the family wants to lay
the foundations
of making this their
forever home
by integrating with
the locals,
so have offered drinks
in their courtyard
before the village fete
in a months' time.
Mark: The Fete des Voisins
is a really important event
both for the community,
because it is effectively
the fete of neighbors.
Becky: So the hope is when we
have the Fetes des Voisins
next door that we're going to
get the community
to come in for a few drinks
beforehand to celebrate.
George: Time to chop down
some brambles.
That's what I do.
So what are you going to do?
Dick, voice-over: Mark and Becky
want to create
the best possible first
impression,
so it's down to young...
Mark: Do you want to help pull
those bits of ivy off?
Dick, voice-over: and old to
tackle the years of overgrowth
at the front of the chateau.
Becky: So now we've got
all the fun part
of tidying and clearing away
everything
that we've managed to pull off.
George: This is when I go
flat on my back.
Becky: Right.
That's looking a lot better.
Got to finish up
around here.
And then we're almost done
with this section.
Dick, voice-over: Working at the
front of the chateau
provides a chance to give out
some more invites
to the courtyard drinks to some
of the passersby.
[Speaking French]
Mark: This is exactly
the sort of thing we wanted
when we came here is,
you know,
to be able to integrate
into the village.
Engagement like that is
just brilliant.
Becky: We better crack on with
getting the place looking tidy.
Dick, voice-over:
You better had.
Becky and Mark are leaving
over the next few days.
And before they do,
they want to spruce up
the barn doors in the courtyard
where they're hosting
the welcome drinks.
Mark: Let's have a look to see
how this is going to lift.
Becky: OK.
Do we need some WD-40
or something on them?
Mark: I'm going to try
and just see
whether I can lift this
with a pickaxe.
Dick, voice-over: First they
want to get the heavy oak door
off its hinges so they
can sand it out of the sun.
Mark: Can you bring
the metal bar in?
George: Do you want it there?
Mark: Yeah, that's right. OK.
1, 2, 3.
Becky: OK. Done it.
Mark: OK. Yep.
Becky: That's it?
Fantastic.
George: Will it fit in
the garage doors?
Mark: We'll soon find out.
Becky: OK.
George: OK.
Mark: OK, there we go.
Becky: I don't think this
is going to take
more than a couple of hours.
Dick, voice-over: But with
the rest of the courtyard doors
to sand, it's not
a small job.
Mark: I go tomorrow morning
and come back on Thursday
morning. It should be done.
Becky: Yep.
Mark: Excellent.
Dick, voice-over: As Mark and
Becky are both heading away,
George will be flying solo.
No pressure.
About 250 miles north in
the Loire Valley,
Scotsman Iain and wife Kate
are trying to find a chateau
to call home after 6 years
of searching.
Iain: In the early years
when we were looking,
we were looking at, "Wow,
everything is just so pretty,"
and it's just--but now I look at
windows, I look at roofs.
Now we look at plumbing,
electric, heating,
and I think that's
where a lot of the horror
stories emanate from
with chateau projects.
Dick, voice-over:
You're so right.
Having sold their family home
and a stake in their business
in Australia,
a lot is on the line.
For their £1.3 million budget,
they're on the hunt
for somewhere with
business potential
that's also large enough
for their extended family.
Iain: We have a healthy budget.
We feel we will get--
there will be opportunity
to buy something in
that budget
that will meet all of our needs.
Kate: And perhaps we might need
to raise it a little bit.
Iain: Sure, sure.
Kate: [Laughs]
Iain: And I'll probably continue
working till I'm 75
in some capacity. No.
Dick, voice-over: Packed with
pretty villages and scenery,
the Loire Valley's strong
tourist appeal
will help their plans to bring
in income from holiday lets.
Not only that, there are plenty
of chateaux here to choose from.
Iain: I'm blown away with just
how incredible it is.
Dick, voice-over: They've
already seen two.
The first was a financial
stretch,
but as an up-and-running
business, appealed to Iain.
Iain: This will be difficult
to surpass.
This has set the bench
pretty high.
Dick, voice-over: The second
came in under budget
and not only delivered on
character for Kate,
but got a big thumbs up
from the family.
Kate: This is exactly what
we're looking for.
Iain: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over: Today they're
heading about 30 miles
from the town of Tours
to the 18th-century
Chateau de Chanteloire.
Celine: Hi. Bonjour.
Welcome.
Dick, voice-over: Agent Celine
is here to hand over the keys
for an unguided private tour.
With an asking price of
£687,000,
this 7-bedroom chateau
is well below budget.
[Indistinct chatter]
Joining them are daughter
Jade, husband Ryan,
and their children.
They start with
the entrance hall.
Jade: Oh, wow, look at
the floors, Mum.
Iain: It's very authentic.
Kate: Wow.
Iain: It's a really traditional
hallway. It's really lovely.
Kate: Yeah, I really like this.
Ryan: Just like instance
character
as you walk in, isn't it?
Iain: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over: A great
first impression.
There's also income
potential here
with 5 guest rooms and a large
reception room
for hosting events.
Kate: Good to know that they've
had a business running here.
And accommodation.
Jade: Yeah. Yeah.
Kate: So perfect.
Dick, voice-over: So far
so good.
Next, into the salon.
Iain: This is a lovely
proportioned room, isn't it?
Kate: And it just lets in
all the light,
and still has original features.
Wouldn't take much.
Iain: They have the original
marble fireplace as well.
Kate: I know...
Iain: It's stunning.
Kate: which is really important
to us.
Dick, voice-over: Whilst it's
easy to have your head turned
by the grandeur of these places,
it's vital to look beyond
charming appearances.
- That's actually...
- That looks like water damming.
Kate: I would say, yeah,
dry rot.
It's all the way over.
Sometimes dry rot goes up.
So it could be something
happening in the footings.
Dick, voice-over: Well spotted,
Kate.
Left untreated,
dry rot can result
in an expensive battle
to eliminate it.
This needs to be kept in mind
if there are other jobs
that need to be done.
Jade: There's nothing here.
Kate: You literally would have
to kit out the whole kitchen,
which I suppose if you're
starting from new
is not a bad thing.
Proportions-wise,
I suppose you could maybe
knock out walls.
Yeah, so that's just
a plaster wall.
It really is a blank canvas.
We could do whatever we like
with it.
Dick, voice-over: Looks like
this one
has the creative juices flowing.
But I wonder whether perhaps
it's a bigger project
than they had in mind.
Kate: I couldn't say that
I'm in love with it.
I could definitely make it
work for us,
but I'm not in love with
the building at this stage.
Dick, voice-over: This is the
16-room Chateau de Gonneville.
Set in a 15-acre wooded
estate,
its owners are British fashion
designer Anna
and her Italian husband Philipp,
a filmmaker,
who moved from Paris with
their daughters Ella and Lily
a few months ago.
Anna: I think that when
our second was born,
we just realized that
the city life
wasn't really for us
as a family anymore,
and we wanted to move
to the countryside,
and that's where the idea to buy
a chateau kind of came from.
Philipp: The kids completely
forgot about
the existence of a television
since we're here,
so they, you know, they have so
many other things to do.
Dick, voice-over: Situated near
to the Normandy coast,
they bought the chateau for
£900,000
with a huge loan
on the basis of opening
a B&B in 7 months' time.
But it's been far from
plain sailing.
Man: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over:
Before starting work on
their business, though,
they decided to transform
the attic
into family accommodation.
With money tight, Philipp is
trying to do
most of the work himself.
Philipp: I'm lacking
the experience,
so it is sometimes a little bit
stressful.
Everything needs
precise measurement
and a lot of patience.
That's just not me.
Dick, voice-over: As the
family's currently living
on the lower floors,
the pressure's on to get
the bedrooms habitable.
Today he's replacing
the rotten window frames
in the girls' bedroom with the
help of carpenter Benoit.
Philipp: You think when
you change the windows--
you look at the price of
the windows,
and you think, "Oh, that's OK."
That's the wood that we found
underneath the window.
Dick, voice-over: In old
buildings like this,
exposed woodwork that hasn't
been regularly painted
and properly maintained
can often be a problem.
Philipp: Now what we're
getting out here
used to be the beam,
a beam, and now it's...dust.
Literally dust.
Right now it's a bit difficult
to imagine
having two children living
in here.
Dick, voice-over: With such
a major problem,
Philipp's had no choice
but to pay to get Benoit in.
Philipp: Ahh, here it is.
Usually you don't have to
replace the structural beams
when you replace a window,
but that's a chateau, isn't it?
Dick, voice-over: That window
frame is beyond repair,
so the whole thing needs
replacing,
and it's going to cost.
Philipp: In theory, this would
be the only windows
that have a rotten base,
so replacing another window
shouldn't take half as much.
At least that's what I hope
because otherwise
it's getting really expensive to
replace all the windows.
Dick, voice-over: Sorry, matey,
but speaking from experience,
I would brace yourself for
a few more bumps along the way.
Philipp: I'd say it's a win.
[Laughs]
That's really nice.
Look at this.
Took us 4 hours.
One window, 4 hours.
Dick, voice-over: Taking
on a chateau can be
a steep learning curve.
Philipp: [Gasps]
Dick, voice-over: But at least
you're still smiling, Philipp.
And it's a good job
because there's still a long way
to go with that room.
Just under 400 miles south,
with Becky and Mark away,
Grandpa George is home alone
sprucing up the courtyard
ready for the village drinks
in 3 weeks' time.
George: I asked them to tell me
which tasks they'd like me
to do.
They will want me to do it
before they return.
Dick, voice-over:
The courtyard door they
took off the hinges together
has been sanded, so now
he's prepping
to tackle door number two.
George: I don't even know
if I'm putting
the mask on the right way round.
I've always assumed that
the little--
this bit here comes at
the bottom.
Dick, voice-over: Actually,
George, it's the other way up
and you pinch that little
piece of metal
over the bridge of your nose.
George: I asked for a pair
of goggles.
Well, these are, I think,
meant for when you're swimming,
but never mind.
And here we are.
Dick, voice-over: The goggles
are good.
As there's no one to help him
take the door to the workshop,
George is doing it in situ.
George: I think my biggest
concern is
when a professional comes along
and looks at what I'm doing
and says, "You're doing it
all wrong," but never mind,
I'm doing what I think is right.
And off we go.
[Sander whirs]
Oh, that's a bummer.
Um, that's not meant to happen.
Just don't know what
went wrong.
These were a bargain in
the local shop.
And here we are.
Dick, voice-over: Cut-price
sanding disk back in place,
George can get back to it.
George: Hey!
This is actually going
quite well. Ho ho.
Well, it's stuck on. Right.
Much better than doing it
by hand as we were
to start with.
Dick, voice-over: Now to tackle
the awkward lower section.
George: Right she goes.
George: These are not nearly
as good
as the more expensive ones,
unfortunately.
And this one's just lost
its stickiness.
Come on, stay. Stay. Stay.
Dick, voice-over: Perhaps they
were cheap for a reason, George.
George: Yes, well, let's
try another one.
Ahh, dear.
Ahh, here we go.
Dick, voice-over: I'm afraid
there's only so far
grit and determination
can get you.
George: So at this point,
I think we have reached
the end of the sanding disks.
So I may end up doing it
by hand.
Dick, voice-over: Good luck,
George.
I'm sure Becky and Mark
will be impressed
with you efforts regardless.
Back in the Loire Valley,
Iain and Kate are viewing
Chateau de Chanteloire.
Iain: It's very authentic.
Kate: Wow.
Dick, voice-over: at £687,000,
it's under budget,
but the ground floor revealed
some costly renovations
would be necessary.
Kate: You literally would have
to kit out the whole kitchen.
Dick, voice-over: Now it's time
to see the state
of the 7 bedrooms upstairs.
Kate: I actually quite like
the stairs.
Jade: Yes. They're beautiful.
Kate: Ooh, I don't like
the wallpaper.
I think everybody has their own
taste, but...
shiny stripes are not really
my thing.
Iain: I'm loving the floor.
Jade: The floor is gorgeous.
Kate: I do love the floor.
I do like it.
Jade: Should we go into
this bedroom?
Kate: And have a look, yeah.
Jade: And have a look.
Dick, voice-over: Wallpaper is
a relatively easy change,
but bedroom two has a more
challenging issue.
Jade: Ew. What's with that?
Kate: Oh, OK.
Definitely have to take
that down.
I think it's to cover up
the bathroom, the entrance.
Jade: Ohh.
Kate: And it definitely
has to go.
Jade: No, yeah.
Because it makes look way more
smaller than it is.
Dick, voice-over: Upstairs seems
to be leaving them cold,
but perhaps that will change
outside,
where the former caretaker's
house
is ripe for generating income as
a holiday let.
Kate: OK.
It's a good size.
Iain: The stone walls are
tremendous.
They look really nice.
Kate: Yeah.
Iain: It's just taking the skin
off all the way around.
- Yeah, exactly what I think.
- It comes back to what it was.
Kate: And you love to demolish
things, so I think--
Iain: Absolutely one of
my passions.
Kate: Demolishing will
definitely
be a good thing in here.
Iain: Yep.
Dick, voice-over: As Angel
and I have found,
knocking down walls
can be fun,
but for now, it's time to
hand back the keys...
Iain: [Speaks French]
Dick, voice-over: and reflect on
what they've seen.
Iain: The chateau has a lot of
positive attributes.
However, I think that
the structural integrity
may require a lot of attention.
Kate: Feel like it's a bit
hollow in there.
It feels like it hasn't been a
home that's been loved.
It's literally been stripped
of all of that.
It's quite cold and unloved.
Dick, voice-over: Oh, well,
perhaps the next viewing
will give Kate that homely
feeling she's after.
After saying good-bye to
the rest of the family,
they're traveling an hour
southeast.
Chateau de Nouilles isn't yet
officially on the market,
but they've had their eyes on it
since renting a cottage
in its grounds on previous
holidays.
Now, having contacted
the owner,
they're viewing it ahead
of the crowd.
Kate: You can be minded
by the romance.
Perhaps I've glamorized it.
And I'm sure that that might be
changed today.
Iain: Very focused in terms of
looking at it as buyers.
So, yeah, excited and nervous
to see
how much work needs to be done.
Hello, Francois.
How are you? Nice to see you.
Dick, voice-over: Owner Francois
has been restoring
the 34-room chateau
to its original splendor
for the past 6 years.
Francois: Would you like
to come in?
Iain: Yes, that would
be lovely.
Francois: Open the second door.
Dick, voice-over: It was built
as a grand family home
at the start of the 1700s,
but many of the period features
were added a century later.
Francois: You see
the dining room.
Iain: This is so special,
this room.
Just look at all the detail
in there.
Francois: It's "always drink
and you will never die."
Iain: Ahh, good saying.
Francois: It's a good promise.
Iain: I think I'll try.
Dick, voice-over:
The place is bursting
with the kind of original
features
Kate and Iain love.
Iain: Would this be to allow
the food to come through
whilst it's still hot?
Francois: Yes, exactly.
So in fact, that's why you have
this piece.
Iain: Yes.
Kate: Oh, perfect. I love that.
I love the details.
Francois: It's basic. Basic.
So you could have the--think
of how many dishes...
Iain: I know.
Have come through there.
Kate: I know. That's awesome.
I love it.
Iain: It has the look of
a room transfer
that would have
a secret door.
There must be one in here
somewhere,
a button somewhere
or something.
Francois: Aha, you're losing,
you're losing.
I won't tell you everything.
But you have one.
Iain: Secrets. Yeah, I have one.
Francois: You have one upstairs.
Kate: Is there?
Francois: Yes.
Kate: [Gasps] Now I'm excited.
Iain: But he's not gonna tell
you where it is,
so you have to go through.
Francois: Yeah, yeah.
You're right. It's good.
Dick, voice-over:
An exciting start
and plenty more secrets
to uncover.
But it's important Iain
and Kate
don't let the romance
take over
when it comes to a final
decision.
In Normandy, it's now over
a month past the date
Anna and Philipp hoped
to have had the attic
apartment finished,
and winter is fast approaching.
Anna: I'm just sticking it
up here.
I don't know if it needs it
up here, but.
Oh, don't look.
Philipp: Hmm?
Dick, voice-over:
With their daughters'
bedroom now insulated,
they're pressing on with fitting
a damp-proof membrane.
Philipp: This is the actual
membrane.
It's the damp-proof membrane
that prevents moisture
to go into the insulating
material.
Anna: Do you reckon that's
OK, Philipp?
Philipp: Yeah.
Anna: Like that?
Philipp: Yeah. It's a good start
for a complete beginner.
Anna: It feels like this
is really out.
Philipp: Yeah, that's
all right.
It happened to me in my early
years as well, so.
Dick, voice-over: A gentle
reminder that wasn't
so long ago, Philipp.
And at £350 for a 70-meter roll,
this high-tech membrane
is a very good investment.
Philipp: You could try
to use a leftover
to save some--'cause these
things, they cost a fortune.
Anna: Oh, yeah?
Philipp: Oh, yeah.
Dick, voice-over: With costs
adding up by the day,
the pressure is really on
Anna and Philipp
to get their apartment ready
as soon as possible
so they can move on
to the business side
of the renovations.
Philipp: We've run out of tape.
Anna: Oh.
Philipp: So I won't be
able to finish that
tonight, unfortunately.
Anna: That's a shame.
Philipp: You see that's
a special tape
because you can just plaster--
plaster over the tape.
Anna: OK.
Philipp: Ohh.
Dick, voice-over: There will be
no plastering or decorating
until this job is finished.
So it's a frustrating delay
for them to contend with.
Anna, though, is keen to get
a move on with aesthetics,
so is putting her fashion
background to good use
design wallpaper for
the girls' bedroom.
Anna: I wanted to do something
kind of fun
and unique for that room.
Lily specified that she wanted
to have a pink bedroom.
That's her favorite color.
I've been looking at kind of
French antique wallpapers
that have that feeling of
something that's quite aged.
Dick, voice-over: Once she's
finished the design,
she'll retouch it digitally
before sending it to
a printing company.
First, though, it needs
client approval
from 4-year-old Lily.
Anna: What do you think?
Lily: I think I want to put
this.
Anna: You like that green,
do you?
Lily: And pink.
Anna: And the pink.
Yeah, I made it pink.
Do you like the pink?
Is it a good color?
Lily: Yes.
Anna: Yeah?
Dick, voice-over:
Painting complete,
Anna needs to piece
her design together
to great seamless wallpaper.
Anna: So I've now scanned
the artwork
and now I'm gonna put it
back together on the computer.
So it's just collaging it
back together, basically.
They match perfectly,
but they have a white edge,
so all of this part that's got
the white has to be filled in.
I'm just gonna cut out
some of the leaves
from other parts of
the artwork
and try to fill it in
like that.
It's quite a lengthy process now
doing this,
but, um, there's no other way to
do it, really.
Dick, voice-over: It may be
a lot of effort,
but there's nothing more
rewarding
than putting your own
21st-century stamp
on these historic buildings.
Fingers crossed those walls will
be ready for papering soon.
In southwest France, Becky,
Mark, and the girls are back
after having left Grandpa George
in charge of the chateau.
Becky: Well, we're not
worried about the inside,
really, are we?
Mark: Not really.
Dick, voice-over: Now it's the
day before
the courtyard drinks party
for the local community,
and they're taking a close look
at the work George did
to the barn doors in
their absence.
Becky: Now that looks lovely.
Mark: It's all right.
Becky: It's beautiful wood.
It looks lovely, Pa,
it really does. It's fantastic.
Dick, voice-over: The spruced up
doors have given the courtyard
a much-needed refresh.
But there's still lots to do
before tomorrow's guests arrive.
Not least, sorting out
the drinks.
Mark: So we've got about
a hundred in total.
And we've got no Pimm's.
Becky: No.
Mark: So we'll have to do
a gin cup.
Oh, joy. OK.
Dick, voice-over: Becky also
needs to finish
making the decorations
for the courtyard.
Becky: I've made some bunting.
I've taken some burlap,
all very basic,
but I've sort of put
a hem on it.
So I'm just threading them
through.
Need to find the end again.
Dick, voice-over: And Mark is
on hand to help.
Mark: We've got about
another 40 or so
triangles to thread on.
Becky: I might get picky
and might take you--
tell you to take some of
them off.
Back to front.
Mark: Too late now. Um.
Should have chosen
a better partner.
Dick, voice-over: Tomorrow is
an important step
towards the family being
integrated into village life
ahead of them moving here
full time.
Mark: This is a community
that sort of gathers round,
so for us to be able to be
a part of that is quite special.
Becky: There's quite a few of
the neighbors
we haven't met yet.
It's good challenge for us,
for our French.
So I'm up for that.
Mark: How--what spacing do you
want them at?
Becky: Well, this is the
million-dollar question,
darling.
I don't really know until we put
it out
between the courtyard
to a certain extent.
Mark: Well, do you want to
come and hold here
and let's see if we can...
Becky: I'll come and hold it
for you.
Mark: Go back and pull it tight.
Being an engineer always helps.
Becky: That'll keep your steps
up. Keep going.
How we doing?
Mark: OK.
Becky: Are we almost to
the end?
Mark: About 41 pieces
at the minute.
Dick, voice-over: Looks like
the bunting is measuring up.
- OK.
- So I think that is done today.
So tomorrow just hang
the bunting,
hang the lights...
Becky: Set up the tables.
Mark: set up the tables,
and get the food out
and drinks out.
Becky: Yeah. That's great.
OK. Fantastic.
Right. Time for tea and tea.
Dick, voice-over:
With a hundred locals
to impress tomorrow,
you could practice your cocktail
mixes while you're at it.
North in the Loire Valley,
would-be owners Iain and Kate
are viewing a chateau
they've been keen on
for a few years.
Francois: So you would love
to see the salon.
Iain: Yes, please.
Thank you.
Dick, voice-over: Owner Francois
is showing them around
before it goes on the market.
Next up is the kitchen,
with a large family space,
something high on Kate's
wish list.
- More of a family room, really.
Kate: It is.
Francois: This fire always on.
Kate: And exactly inviting.
Dick, voice-over: And the room
has a surprising feature.
Francois: And here's built
on a well.
So again, the water here.
Kate: So do you use the well?
Francois: Yes.
It provides you water,
as much water as you want,
to grow your plants
around here.
Dick, voice-over: The chateau is
also on main supply,
but having their own well to
water the large estate
could mean a big saving
on bills.
The kitchen and utility space
next door
once produced meals for
a large household,
but needs a lot of work
to update it.
Francois: OK. Smaller
utility room here.
Like a small shed within
the house.
So you didn't only have,
you know, grand rooms,
but utility rooms for the--
to cook
and to prepare the food.
Dick, voice-over: It has
a fascinating history
and lots of potential,
but is it what Kate and Iain
had in mind
for hosting family or catering
for paying guests?
Kate: The kitchen.
I feel like the bottom floor
we could live in,
but it is a lot of work.
We have to be quite conscious
of money.
Iain: Yeah, absolutely.
Kate: For the renovation.
Dick, voice-over:
Iain's also keen to see
the state of the roof,
as he knows it could be
a costly repair job.
So they're heading to
the attic
that in the 1820s housed
a theater.
Francois: From here now,
you're on the second floor.
- It's a lot of expense.
- It's a great space, isn't it?
Francois: Yeah, it's a square.
It's a large square room.
People would come to the,
you know,
riding horses with carts,
come here, and have a play
before the play would be
showed to Paris.
Kate: That's amazing.
Iain: Fantastic.
Francois: The carpentry's
rather impressive.
Iain: Fantastic carpentry.
Kate: Love the beams.
Iain: Yeah. 17th century,
18th century?
Francois: Oh, this part is
the 18th century.
Iain: 18th century.
Francois: Part of 18th century.
Iain: Phenomenal craftsmanship.
Dick, voice-over: Iain and Kate
fell in love with this place
as holidaymakers.
Iain: Francois, thank you
very much, indeed.
Dick, voice-over: Now they've
had a good chance
to assess what's on offer.
It's time to consider if they're
up for the massive challenge
of taking this on.
Kate: I still love it dearly.
Iain: It doesn't diminish.
Kate: It's still a frontrunner
for me.
Iain: Oh, and me, too.
It feels right.
And I know that's not objective,
but I could see everything
I want to achieve
and do in this chateau.
Kate: Destiny has brought us
together with Francois.
I believe in destiny,
and I feel like--
I don't know, I feel like--
Iain: Meant to be, sort of.
Kate: Maybe meant to be.
Iain: And the local village
has the best cheese shop
in the area, so.
That also has a...
Kate: Exactly. Cheese is good.
Dick, voice-over:
Frommage aside,
Kate and Iain do still have more
chateaux to see,
so a final decision is
on hold...for now.
In Normandy, 10 weeks after
starting work
on daughters Lily and Ella's
bedroom,
the wallpaper Anna's designed is
back from the printers
at a cost of 180 euros.
That works out to be just under
£160.
Anna: I'm quite proud of it.
I'm quite pleased with it.
Dick, voice-over:
And you should be.
First Anna wants to check
the sections of the border
repeat pattern align.
Anna: Just need to find
this last piece.
Yeah, I think that's it.
OK.
OK, so then I know that
this is the corner.
Double check that this fits.
Dick, voice-over: Like Philipp,
Anna is relatively new
to DIY,
so has been watching online
videos
for wallpaper hanging
techniques.
Anna: If I make a mistake,
I don't have extra paper
to redo it, so...
Yeah. It better not--
I better do a good job.
Dick, voice-over:
Here goes nothing.
Anna: Oh. Heh.
It might help if I have it
the right way round. Ahh!
Dick, voice-over:
If in doubt,
it's always a good idea to mark
the top and bottom.
Anna: It's almost perfect.
Um, I think it's OK. Yeah.
I think I'm getting
the hang of it.
Dick, voice-over:
And a little while later,
Anna can survey her handiwork.
Anna: I think it looks
really nice.
So, yeah.
Let's just hope it doesn't
fall off the wall,
when I woke up tomorrow,
come and have a look,
and it's all on the ground.
Dick, voice-over: Time
to show the girls their
finished feature wall.
Anna: Are you ready?
[Gasps]
And whoo!
Philipp: Wow.
Anna: What do you think?
You like it?
Lily: Yes.
- Has Mama done a good job?
- Yes.
Philipp: I think you've done
a wonderful job.
Anna: Yeah? Yeah?
- I'm really, really impressed.
- Thank you.
Dick, voice-over: Well done.
The wall is a beautiful,
personal touch.
Now to get the rest of
the room finished
so the girls can move in.
Almost 400 miles south,
Becky and Mark are also in
a race against time.
It's the day of the village
welcome drinks
and their big chance to win over
the local community.
Mark: Get things ready. Do we
want to get the tables ready?
And then we have to make the
English garden mixed cocktail.
Dick, voice-over: But with
4 hours till guests arrive,
for now there's a more
pressing task.
Becky: The bunting--
Mark: The bunting we should
do now.
It'll take us about 20 minutes
to get that erected.
George: Well, could Becky and I
do the bunting and you get--
Mark: No.
Becky: It would be best
if Mark's going up and down
the ladder.
Mark: So let's do that first,
and then we'll work out what--
Becky: Then I can happily do
all the tables
and the setting of that.
That's easy.
OK, so hats on, sun cream on.
Into the courtyard for bunting.
Mark: Right. OK.
Dick, voice-over: Engineer Mark
has come up
with some precise measurements
to make sure there's an even
length of bunting
strung between all 4 corners
of the courtyard.
Mark: 3 meters to the left.
Becky: Having beautifully placed
the flags at equidistance,
I have a horrible suspicion
it's all going to fall apart
and it will no longer be
at equidistance,
but don't say anything.
We'll just see what happens.
Should look quite nice.
Mark: [Exhales]
I need something to hook onto.
Oh.
Darling, we're hooked on
the table frame.
Becky: Yep.
Now after this, I think we need
to try the drink.
Mark: Or we need to go get the
ingredients to mix it.
Dick, voice-over:
First things first,
to check how the bunting looks
now it's up.
And Becky's not convinced.
Becky: Now of course,
it doesn't look
that big a contrast
between the walls itself
and the bunting.
Never mind.
Dick, voice-over:
No time to dwell on it now,
because next they need to find
elderflower cordial
for their drinks.
Mark: All right,
let's go, girls.
Dick, voice-over: So Mark and
the girls head to the shops
while Grandpa George
and Becky
set about creating outdoor
seating for the local guests.
Becky: Which way are you
putting it?
George: Don't know.
Which way do you think?
Becky: That way or
the other way?
George: No, that's fine.
The wheelbarrow has just
fallen on my toe.
I will now have a black toe.
Becky: Ha ha!
I'll put it down and lift up
the wheelbarrow for you.
George: That's awfully
sweet of you.
Becky: Shall I give it a push?
George: No.
Becky: No.
Dick, voice-over: After getting
to grips with the wheelbarrow,
they can start moving
the benches into position.
Becky: So one down--left down.
Oh, you put right down. OK.
Dick, voice-over: But all
this work is enough
to make anyone hot
under the collar.
Becky: Mr. Savage, stop.
You're going to be exhausted.
Dick, voice-over: At least now
there's plenty of places
to sit down.
Becky: Ahh.
Dick, voice-over: Less than
an hour before
the guests are due,
and Mark's finally back.
But it's not exactly
mission accomplished.
Mark: No elderflower syrup,
so we've ended up going
with a lemon citrus approach.
So hopefully nobody will notice
the difference.
George: Can we get everything
ready then?
If people are really coming
at 7:00,
we've got half an hour and we
haven't got the drinks out.
Dick, voice-over:
Well said, George.
And with guests imminent,
it's all hands to the pump.
Girl: Daddy's actually
in charge of the gin,
but he told me to get
the spoon.
I know it needs mixing.
Dick, voice-over: It came
right down to the wire...
Mark: Bonjour!
Becky: Bonjour.
George: Bonjour.
Very well.
Dick, voice-over: but Becky
and Mark
have the courtyard and cocktails
at the ready
to welcome the local community.
Becky: Rebecca.
Woman: Hello. Mila.
Dick, voice-over:
It looks like everyone
is enjoying the refreshments...
Girl: Mummy!
Another visitor!
Dick, voice-over:
and getting to know each other.
[Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Clearly
they've made a good impression
both on their French neighbors
and fellow ex-pats.
George: [Speaks French]
Woman: It's so nice to have
a family back in the chateau.
Man: Mark and Rebecca
are lovely people,
and their children.
And George, especially.
Woman: Ahh!
[Speaking French]
Becky: It seems to be going
all right.
Get them all a little bit tipsy.
So, yes, no, it's nice.
George: A good turnout.
Very happy.
Mark: It's going brilliantly.
One of our fears was that
perhaps
it would take a long time
to integrate, so--
but for me, without a doubt,
this has been brilliant.
Dick, voice-over: With all
3 generations of the family
getting into the swing
of local life,
Mark and Becky's hopes of
becoming part of the community
are starting to be realized.
And Becky couldn't be
more pleased
with the way their chateau move
is working out.
Becky: We've waited a long time
to find the perfect house.
The neighbors have just been
absolutely amazing.
We're absolutely thrilled
to find it.
Dick, voice-over: Next time...
Anna: You see this
one, Philipp?
This wood right here.
Dick, voice-over:
Anna and Philipp have
a furniture fallout.
Anna: It could be nice if
we painted it.
Philipp: That's such a cliché,
painted old furniture.
Anna: I don't care. I'm just
gonna do it anyway.
Dick, voice-over: A new
discovery at Becky and Mark's...
Mark: Let's go and see how deep
this well really is.
Dick, voice-over:
'causes a stink.
George: It's a bit smelly.
Mark: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
At our place...
Dick: Ahh, look, perfect.
Dick, voice-over:
Dorothy gets to work.
Dick: That's my girl.
Dick, voice-over:
And Iain and Kate
edge closer to a momentous
decision.
Kate: I can see us growing
old here.
- Yeah.
- Our family growing with us.
Man: You like it?
Kate: We love it.
Iain: It's--it's lovely.