Chateau Mas de Pradie
Julia Fulford-Kirby moved to France from Australia to settle in the 18th century chateau that she carefully restored.
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Julia Fulford-Kirby, the owner of Chateau Mas de Pradie
NOTE: Chateau Mas de Pradie is on sale now. Please get in touch with the owner for additional information.
Julia Fulford-Kirby purchased Chateau Mas de Pradie in 2019, three years after the death of its longtime owner, French artist Bernard Dufour, and just before the onset of the COVID pandemic. Despite being separated from her two sisters because of that, the chateau gave her an opportunity to weather the pandemic relatively safely, "locked" in her huge house, away from the hustle and bustle. She also used this time to focus on renovations and draw up plans for the chateau's future. Although the property was lived in, Julia had to carry out extensive work around the estate, including plumbing, septic systems, heating, electrical supply, insulation, building the fountain and terrace, tending to the gardens, and installing the swimming pool. Of course, she also had to paint and decorate everywhere, following her main principle: do as little as possible!
Julia Fulford-Kirby purchased Chateau Mas de Pradie in 2019, three years after the death of its longtime owner, French artist Bernard Dufour, and just before the onset of the COVID pandemic. Despite being separated from her two sisters because of that, the chateau gave her an opportunity to weather the pandemic relatively safely, "locked" in her huge house, away from the hustle and bustle. She also used this time to focus on renovations and draw up plans for the chateau's future. Although the property was lived in, Julia had to carry out extensive work around the estate, including plumbing, septic systems, heating, electrical supply, insulation, building the fountain and terrace, tending to the gardens, and installing the swimming pool. Of course, she also had to paint and decorate everywhere, following her main principle: do as little as possible!
THE MAGNETIC FRANCE
Castles and Palaces (CnP): Julia, could you tell me a little about yourself? What do you do for a living?
Julia Fulford-Kirby (JF): I was born in Australia and grew up in England, returning to Australia in my late teens. I have had many different careers, from horse riding instructor, fitness professional, pilates studio owner, interior designer, property developer and ceramic artist & potter.
Julia Fulford-Kirby (JF): I was born in Australia and grew up in England, returning to Australia in my late teens. I have had many different careers, from horse riding instructor, fitness professional, pilates studio owner, interior designer, property developer and ceramic artist & potter.
CnP: Many Australians seem interested in France. I recently spoke with a couple who restore Chateau de Purnon. Why did you move to France?
JF: From Australia I searched the internet for French properties for a year before coming over to France where I travelled all over the country viewing properties.
JF: From Australia I searched the internet for French properties for a year before coming over to France where I travelled all over the country viewing properties.
CnP: How did you come across Mas de Pradie?
JF: The first six weeks of my trip to France to view properties I had two of my sisters with me, it wasn’t until they left to go home to Australia that I saw an advertisement for Mas de Pradie.
JF: The first six weeks of my trip to France to view properties I had two of my sisters with me, it wasn’t until they left to go home to Australia that I saw an advertisement for Mas de Pradie.
CnP: Why southern France and not the Loire Valley, which is a more common location for owning a chateau?
JF: I hadn’t chosen an area in France, I was searching for the right property, and I am so glad Mas de Pradie was the right property as I do love this area of the Aveyron on the border of the Lot.
JF: I hadn’t chosen an area in France, I was searching for the right property, and I am so glad Mas de Pradie was the right property as I do love this area of the Aveyron on the border of the Lot.
CnP: You mentioned in one of your remarks that one of your sisters dissuaded you from buying a country house in favor of a chateau with turrets. To what extent is Mas de Pradie a proper chateau?
JF: No, it's not a chateau with turrets and towers, the main house has been dated to around the 1750s but it is built on much older foundations. In the caves below, there are thick stone curved walls but there are no curved walls in the house above.
JF: No, it's not a chateau with turrets and towers, the main house has been dated to around the 1750s but it is built on much older foundations. In the caves below, there are thick stone curved walls but there are no curved walls in the house above.
CnP: Mas de Pradie previously belonged to painter Bernard Dufour. He died in 2016. You bought the chateau in 2019—did it stand empty for three years?
JF: Yes, Bernard Dufour was the previous owner from 1963 to 2016 when he died and yes, the property remained empty until I purchased it in May 2019. Although it still had a lot of Bernards possessions inside and when I viewed the property it looked like Bernard had just stepped out for a moment.
JF: Yes, Bernard Dufour was the previous owner from 1963 to 2016 when he died and yes, the property remained empty until I purchased it in May 2019. Although it still had a lot of Bernards possessions inside and when I viewed the property it looked like Bernard had just stepped out for a moment.
CnP: Do you have any items associated with Bernard Dufour in the chateau? Is there a room that has been left untouched as a tribute or a museum with his artwork?
JF: I have a few artworks of Bernards in the house, and his library that is mostly untouched with hundreds of books, many very old. He is still very much a part of Mas de Pradie but no there is no room or shrine to tribute him.
JF: I have a few artworks of Bernards in the house, and his library that is mostly untouched with hundreds of books, many very old. He is still very much a part of Mas de Pradie but no there is no room or shrine to tribute him.
DO AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!
CnP: The property is quite old; it was built in the mid-1700s. What was it like becoming the owner of such an old home?
JF: It is a responsibility taking on an old building with a history but at the same time it’s not a monument it’s a home. My approach to renovation is very much ‘do as little as possible’, so all the necessary things are done like septics, electrical works, plumbing, but I don’t smooth down old plaster walls and I don’t level out old wooden floor boards. I choose to keep all the character and charm that attracted me to the property in the first place.
JF: It is a responsibility taking on an old building with a history but at the same time it’s not a monument it’s a home. My approach to renovation is very much ‘do as little as possible’, so all the necessary things are done like septics, electrical works, plumbing, but I don’t smooth down old plaster walls and I don’t level out old wooden floor boards. I choose to keep all the character and charm that attracted me to the property in the first place.
CnP: Describe your first night in your chateau. What was it like? Did you notice anything unusual?
JF: On my first night at Mas de Pradie my sister Melissa was with me, she stayed for the first two weeks, luckily a few beds were left in the house and some other pieces of furniture so we could function. I had a 40-foot container coming over from Australia with all my belongings. My sister and I both felt very comfortable and at home straight away.
JF: On my first night at Mas de Pradie my sister Melissa was with me, she stayed for the first two weeks, luckily a few beds were left in the house and some other pieces of furniture so we could function. I had a 40-foot container coming over from Australia with all my belongings. My sister and I both felt very comfortable and at home straight away.
CnP: What do you know about the chateau’s distant past?
JF: I don’t know too much about the past of the chateau, but I do know it was at one stage a royal livery in the large barn here, it is a building superior to a normal stone barn. We have an old forge next to the guardian cottage.
JF: I don’t know too much about the past of the chateau, but I do know it was at one stage a royal livery in the large barn here, it is a building superior to a normal stone barn. We have an old forge next to the guardian cottage.
CnP: What is your favorite place at Mas de Pradie, and why?
JF: It is very hard to pick a favourite part of the chateau, but I do love the walled garden at the back of the house, the side with the wisteria. The garden is boarded by the small barn, now the Stables gite, the pigeonaire and the gates into the walled garden.
JF: It is very hard to pick a favourite part of the chateau, but I do love the walled garden at the back of the house, the side with the wisteria. The garden is boarded by the small barn, now the Stables gite, the pigeonaire and the gates into the walled garden.
CnP: What was the state of the chateau when you bought it?
JF: When I bought Mas de Pradie everything needed doing, two new fosse septics, re-wire every building on the property, re-plumb all buildings, insulation, five chimney liners, install five wood burners.
JF: When I bought Mas de Pradie everything needed doing, two new fosse septics, re-wire every building on the property, re-plumb all buildings, insulation, five chimney liners, install five wood burners.
Reichenstein: Buying the castle that your granddad once owned
JF: I had to install four kitchens, six bathrooms, paint and decorate everywhere, built the fountain and the terrace, create the gardens, install the swimming pool, replace the old oil heating system with a new eco pellet one. My last project was to build the greenhouse.
CnP: What was the biggest headache?
JF: My biggest headache is my lack of French, being unable to communicate on the phone especially.
JF: My biggest headache is my lack of French, being unable to communicate on the phone especially.
CnP: Some pictures of the rooms show fireplaces with stoves installed. Are these fireplaces out of order and can’t be used?
JF: Every room in the chateau has a fireplace. I have installed wood burners in four of them with chimney liners. In France your property insurance does not cover fires in fireplaces that don’t have chimney liners therefor I don’t use the fireplaces that don’t have the wood burners.
JF: Every room in the chateau has a fireplace. I have installed wood burners in four of them with chimney liners. In France your property insurance does not cover fires in fireplaces that don’t have chimney liners therefor I don’t use the fireplaces that don’t have the wood burners.
CnP: How do you heat the chateau during the winter?
JF: The chateau is heated by a wood pellet system that heats central heating bars throughout the house, this system replaced the oil system. I do also use the wood burners, especially the one in the kitchen.
JF: The chateau is heated by a wood pellet system that heats central heating bars throughout the house, this system replaced the oil system. I do also use the wood burners, especially the one in the kitchen.
CnP: There’s a tower in the garden. What's in it?
JF: The tower in the walled garden is the well, it drops down 27 meters into the underground river part of the cave system. Above the well there is what I call the owl house with steps up, but I think it was a hunting hide.
JF: The tower in the walled garden is the well, it drops down 27 meters into the underground river part of the cave system. Above the well there is what I call the owl house with steps up, but I think it was a hunting hide.
CnP: Artists can stay at the Mas de Pradie to find inspiration and work on their creations. May I ask who has visited you?
JF: I have had lovely guests from all over the world come and stay at Mas de Pradie, most are attracted to the place because of its authenticity and its understated renovations, but once they are here, they fall in love with the magical charm of the property. It’s like walking into a mythical fairytale.
JF: I have had lovely guests from all over the world come and stay at Mas de Pradie, most are attracted to the place because of its authenticity and its understated renovations, but once they are here, they fall in love with the magical charm of the property. It’s like walking into a mythical fairytale.
CnP: You offer accommodations to tourists. Was that your plan from the beginning, or did you have to start doing it to pay for routine maintenance and compensate for your investment?
JF: I always planned to open the property up to guests in one form or another, but the first few years were just focused on the renovating and creating wonderful spaces indoors and out.
JF: I always planned to open the property up to guests in one form or another, but the first few years were just focused on the renovating and creating wonderful spaces indoors and out.
JF: The stables gite, was my first available accommodation and it opened in 2020 through COVID, so it was limited. The two years of COVID actually gave me the time to slowdown and enjoy the renovation work and creating the gardens and pool area without the pressure of needing to open.
CnP: Are you normally fully booked?
JF: The holiday tourism season is very sort here, from July to end of August, so my plan has been to host a few weddings here in the spring, May and June and welcome holiday guests July and August. That is all I want to do as I am here running the property on my own most of the time, and overall, that is enough income for my needs and to cover the expenses in running the chateau. So, I choose to not be fully booked through the year, but the property has so much more potential and could have so much more going on here all year round.
JF: The holiday tourism season is very sort here, from July to end of August, so my plan has been to host a few weddings here in the spring, May and June and welcome holiday guests July and August. That is all I want to do as I am here running the property on my own most of the time, and overall, that is enough income for my needs and to cover the expenses in running the chateau. So, I choose to not be fully booked through the year, but the property has so much more potential and could have so much more going on here all year round.
CnP: Is it difficult to run a hotel in such an old place?
JF: One of the reasons I chose Mas de Pradie, is that the house had four bedrooms and three bathrooms, so the plumbing was in place, although it did need to be re-done. I had viewed chateaux with my sisters that had eleven bedrooms and only one bathroom, so having three bathrooms was a big advantage.
JF: One of the reasons I chose Mas de Pradie, is that the house had four bedrooms and three bathrooms, so the plumbing was in place, although it did need to be re-done. I had viewed chateaux with my sisters that had eleven bedrooms and only one bathroom, so having three bathrooms was a big advantage.
CnP: How many rooms do you have, and which is your favorite suite?
JF: The Stables gite which is my largest gite can sleep six guests. It was just an old barn with no electricity or plumbing, so basically everything had to be done. It has underfloor heating, a wood-burner.
JF: The Stables gite which is my largest gite can sleep six guests. It was just an old barn with no electricity or plumbing, so basically everything had to be done. It has underfloor heating, a wood-burner.
JF: The large event barn has the Artist studio gite above at one end, a light filled space with skylights and wonderful views back to the chateau. The Events barn has a beautiful solid oak floor, perfect for dance on, or yoga classes. It’s a wonderful large space that can host seventy sit-down guests at a wedding reception. With a fully equipped prep kitchen for caters with a separate entrance.
CnP: Apart from enjoying the old stones and the surrounding nature, what can one do at Mas de Pradie?
JF: This region of France has so much to explore. In our village of Foissac guests can visit the Foissac Grotte, caves that demonstrate 35,000 years of human habitation. We are also surrounded by dolmans, ancient burial mounds.
JF: This region of France has so much to explore. In our village of Foissac guests can visit the Foissac Grotte, caves that demonstrate 35,000 years of human habitation. We are also surrounded by dolmans, ancient burial mounds.
JF: We are in the Aveyron department and on the border of the Lot department, with the Lot River curving all around us with its numerous medieval chateaux and town along its banks. Many are among the most beautiful villages and towns in France. So, for lovers of history from all ages and lovers of stunning landscapes this region is full of joy and splendor.
CnP: What would you tell a castle lover whose dream is to buy an old chateau and give it a kiss of life?
JF: My advice to anyone who wants to follow their dream and buy an old chateau is, do not spend all your money on buying the chateau. Yes, properties in France are cheep in price if compared to most other countries, but the cost of works and workforce is very high. Also, the works always take longer than you plan, and the cost of living is high.
JF: My advice to anyone who wants to follow their dream and buy an old chateau is, do not spend all your money on buying the chateau. Yes, properties in France are cheep in price if compared to most other countries, but the cost of works and workforce is very high. Also, the works always take longer than you plan, and the cost of living is high.
JF: Every project is different, but I spent more on the renovations as I did on the purchase of Mas de Pradie. You really need to know you can support yourself for several years before any real income comes in. Also, enjoy every moment of the project and don’t focus and stress on reaching the end result.
CnP: Finally, Julia, you invested so much effort, heart, and soul into this project—why are you selling now?
JF: Yes, I am selling Mas de Pradie. To be honest, I never thought I would. When I moved here I believed this was my final home, and I do still love it as much as I always have. But I am here on my own, I have a health issue, which is increasingly making it harder for me to continue as there is too much work maintaining the property and grounds and advancing the business.
JF: Yes, I am selling Mas de Pradie. To be honest, I never thought I would. When I moved here I believed this was my final home, and I do still love it as much as I always have. But I am here on my own, I have a health issue, which is increasingly making it harder for me to continue as there is too much work maintaining the property and grounds and advancing the business.
JF: Through the whole experience I have learnt more about myself, that I loved the re-creation, bringing back to life, having the vision of all possibilities of what the property could be. And I have achieved that. I have enjoyed meeting wonderful guests, but my passion is not to run a tourism business.
I feel Mas de Pradie now needs new younger energy to push it further forward as it is now ready to achieve so much more than I have implemented here.
I feel Mas de Pradie now needs new younger energy to push it further forward as it is now ready to achieve so much more than I have implemented here.
I hope that you liked the interview with Julia Fulford-Kirby, who runs Chateau Mas de Pradie in France. The chateau is for sale now and you can send your inquiries directly to Julia.
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You can always get in touch with us via castlesandfamilies@gmail.com