5 Unexpected Ways Buying a Château Changed My Life
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Welcome back to “An American in the Pyrénées”, real-life stories from France! Ever wondered what happens when you impulsively buy a French château? Trish shares five unexpected ways her life transformed, from becoming a châtelaine to swapping boardrooms for DIY projects and even starring on TV! If you’ve dreamed of rural living, château ownership or reinventing your life in the Pyrénées, this story is for you.
“Buying a château wasn’t a long-awaited dream; it just happened. One day, I’m living in a small Parisian apartment thinking about moving to the suburbs, and then after a series of what would prove to be fateful events (which I describe in an earlier blog), I was living in a château at the foot of the Pyrénées. This wasn’t just a change of address; it marked the beginning of a whole new chapter. Becoming a château owner in the French countryside brought some unexpected changes in my life.
Gaining the Title of ‘Châtelaine’
Despite living in France for over a decade, I had never heard the term châtelaine, which is the French word for a château owner. But when the estate agent handed me the keys and said, “Félicitations, Madame La Châtelaine,” I couldn’t help but feel a little royal, even if only for a moment. The title doesn’t come with any special privileges, but it’s still fun to hear neighbors and community members refer to me as la châtelaine. It’s also a unique title to put on LinkedIn.
Developing New Skills
Being a châtelaine is far from a fairytale. And honestly, I didn’t fully appreciate what was involved in owning a 14th-century château before I made the offer. From maintaining the grounds and pool to handling repairs and renovations, it’s a lot of work! Because I’ve chosen to take on many of these tasks myself, I’ve picked up some useful skills along the way. Things like gardening, basic woodworking, light plumbing, using a chainsaw, grouting tiles, putting up fencing, and more.
And I’ve tackled some projects I never would have imagined I could do myself, like building an arched bridge, renovating my kitchen and installing new decking around my pool. The funny thing is that I’ve enjoyed doing (almost) all of it and love the sense of accomplishment, even when I’ve had to re-do things two or three times to get it right. I’m still a rookie DIY-er, but I am really proud of what I’ve achieved over the last few years.
Being Featured on TV Show Château DIY
When I first started looking at château listings, people asked if I’d heard of the British TV show Escape to the Château. At the time, I hadn’t, but I quickly became a fan. And when I made an offer on my château, the listing agent shared a link to an episode of the spin-off show Château DIY where it was featured on someone else’s château shopping trip.
After settling into my new home, I thought it might be fun to be part of the show, and before I knew it, I was on television doing DIY projects! It’s been an exciting, rewarding, and sometimes humbling experience. It’s also a great way to stay motivated to finish projects! Now that the show airs in France, I’ve had locals recognize me, stopping me to say hello and offer kind words of encouragement.
Becoming Part of a Wonderful Community
I feel incredibly lucky to have landed in a region and welcoming people. My neighbors, local shopkeepers, and other residents are kind, friendly, and very patient with my strong American accent. My weekly trips to the outdoor market are a highlight, seeing familiar faces and chatting with the vendors is my favorite part of the week.
In addition to the lovely French locals, there’s also a great international community here, which has helped me make new friends. And with so many guests and visitors to the château, I’ve also been able to build relationships with local business owners who offer services like e-bike rentals, wine tastings, spa treatments, cooking classes, watercolor workshops, and more. After so many years in big cities, I was surprised by how easily I was able to integrate into this small rural community.
Changing Careers
When I bought the château, I was still in a corporate job based in Paris. But like so many others during the pandemic, I was working from home. A few years later, my company announced some organizational changes, which gave me the opportunity to step away from the corporate world and start my own hospitality business in France. Now, I design and host small group getaways and events at the château and also offer B&B stays, welcoming guests from around the world and sharing all the wonderful things I love about this little slice of paradise I now call home.
It’s been almost five years since I bought my petit château, and I’m still loving it. Looking back, I’m amazed at how much my life has changed in such a short period of time. And knowing now what I didn’t then about owning a château, if I were asked whether I’d do it again, I’d still say yes in a heartbeat!”
Merci, Trish, for this inspiring look at château life! Your journey from corporate city life to DIY châtelaine in the mountains proves that sometimes the best adventures are the ones we never saw coming.
If you’re dreaming of your own château escape, we’d love to help. This stunning French region is one of our favourites, and we’ve got properties for every dream, from cosy stone houses to grand estates.
A note from us: We’re thrilled to share Trish’s unfiltered, authentic stories, just as she writes them, with all the humour, surprises and American-French charm intact. If her tale has you itching for more, stay tuned for her next dispatch from the Pyrénées, or explore our blog for practical advice on buying in France and living your dreams.
À bientôt! Your own château adventure might be closer than you think!
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