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Castle Life

What is it really like to live in a castle? How much does it cost to maintain one, and where does the money come from? Families who have owned castles for generations, as well as newcomers who have taken on the challenge, share the realities of daily life within historic walls.
Sunday, June 1
Chateau Mas de Pradie
Julia Fulford-Kirby moved to France from Australia and settled in an 18th-century château that she carefully restored, following her motto, "Do as little as possible!"
Thursday, September 15
Chateau de Bonneval
Marta de Bonneval runs her family chateau in Haute-Vienne, an authentic XIV century fortress, once "visited" by the devil!
Monday, July 11
Chateau du Tour
A trained architect, archaeologist and stone mason restoring his XIIth century chateau in France's Occitania.
Sunday, November 14
Chateau du Taillis
Nicolas Navarro's romance with his renaissance Chateau du Taillis in Normandy, France started when he was 16. Twenty three years passed and his passion is still strong!
Friday, August 20
Chateau de Boutemont
For the new owners of the castle buying Boutemont was an easy decision. They felt at home there right away. The main goal now is to open the chateau which is a hidden gem with its fantastic history, irresistible charm, atmosphere and extremely beautiful gardens - to the general public.
Friday, April 2
Chateau de Puymartin
The castle in Perigord which has been owned by the same family since 1450 boasts unique 17th century paintings and frames of scenes based on the Greek mythology and the spirit of mysterious White Lady.
Thursday, March 18
Chateau d'Ussé
Chateau d'Ussé in France's Indre-et-Loire department inspired world-famous Charles Perrault to write his Sleeping Beauty. The castle with its iconic turrets and towers is both a great tourist attraction and a family seat of De Blacas family.
Wednesday, October 21
Chateau du Rivau
The Laigneaus restored the unique royal Rivau stables which once bred stallions for the King of France and created 14 fairytale gardens
Other Castle Life Stories!
Burg Rheinstein
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Castle Blatna
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Castello di Gropparello
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Chateau de Veves
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Schloss Tratzberg
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Burg Meersburg
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Enthusiasts chipping in to save ruins from oblivion
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Last Dreamers
Brave people who made a U-turn in their lives
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Explore All Stories

Chateau de Saint Saturnin
Humbert de Feydeau took over Chateau de Saint-Saturnin from his parents, who bought the medieval ruins in 1995 and spent the next few decades restoring the old fortress. It's now the life cause of his family.
Chateau Poseidon
Tom Garneau and Damien Verhaegen left Canada behind to settle in a French castle two and a half hours outside of Paris that they are restoring.
Chateau Mas de Pradie
Julia Fulford-Kirby moved to France from Australia and settled in an 18th-century château that she carefully restored, following her motto, "Do as little as possible!"
Chateau de Purnon
Australians Tim Holding and Felicity Selkirk restore their 18th century chateau in France and bring back to life rare wallpapers uncovered during the works!
Chateau du Theil
Francis and Benoit purchased a ramshackle chateau to remodel it into a 4-star hotel with a (possibly MICHELIN) restaurant!
Chateau de Freyssinet
A Dutch family moved to their brutal Chateau de Freyssinet near Limoges in France to fulfil their long-time dream​ of living in a castle and renting out gites - or holiday homes - in the French countryside.
Chateau de Bonneval
Marta de Bonneval runs her family chateau in Haute-Vienne, an authentic XIV century fortress, once "visited" by the devil!
Chateau du Saulou
Tine and Mads from Copenhagen, Denmark spend their holidays in France restoring their XVI century chateau with 7 fireplaces and authentic towers.
Chateau du Tour
A trained architect, archaeologist and stone mason restoring his XIIth century chateau in France's Occitania.
Chateau de Combemale
Shaun and Jo Kent wanted a lifetime restoration project. This abandoned chateau in the spa town of Bagnères de Luchon was a great match.
Chateau du Sailhant
NYC-based architect Joseph Pell Lombardi purchased the medieval castle in France to implement a long-sought restoration project.
Chateau de Pagax
Christian Dessalles' life project is saving his 13th century castle in France's region of Occitanie. The project is in full swing and hopefully the chateau will be restored to its 17th century looks very soon.
Chateau du Taillis
Nicolas Navarro's romance with his renaissance Chateau du Taillis in Normandy, France started when he was 16. Twenty three years passed and his passion is still strong!
Chateau de Boutemont
For the new owners of the castle buying Boutemont was an easy decision. They felt at home there right away. The main goal now is to open the chateau which is a hidden gem with its fantastic history, irresistible charm, atmosphere and extremely beautiful gardens - to the general public.
Chateau de Guedelon
A team of enthusiasts is building a 13th century chateau in Burgundy, France from scratch using medieval tools and techniques.
Chateau de Puymartin
The castle in Perigord which has been owned by the same family since 1450 boasts unique 17th century paintings and frames of scenes based on the Greek mythology and the spirit of mysterious White Lady.
Chateau d'Ussé
Chateau d'Ussé in France's Indre-et-Loire department inspired world-famous Charles Perrault to write his Sleeping Beauty. The castle with its iconic turrets and towers is both a great tourist attraction and a family seat of De Blacas family.
Chateau le Rocher Portail
Manuel Roussel's childhood dream of owning this particular chateau in France's Brittany came true in 2016. The private residence, which for 4 centuries was closed for public, became accessible for all.
Chateau D'Armentieres
The Kerekes family bought the ruined castle in 2004. The chateau which survived the French Revolution unharmed, suffered from many years of neglect and was heavily damaged during WWI. It is now water which is the biggest threat to its foundations.
Chateau des Grotteaux
The 24-month long restoration was almost complete when ​"once-in-500-year deluge"​ flooded the chateau causing some 800,000-euro damage. It was the time of despair.
Chateau de Meauce
Cedric and his wife Severine Mignon bought the totally rundown castle in 2016. They are proud of the fact that they managed to bring back to life a doomed monument although it may sound absolutely immodest.
Chateau du Rivau
The Laigneaus restored the unique royal Rivau stables which once bred stallions for the King of France and created 14 fairytale gardens