Saving Ruins

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.

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.

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!"

Australians Tim Holding and Felicity Selkirk restore their 18th century chateau in France and bring back to life rare wallpapers uncovered during the works!

Francis and Benoit purchased a ramshackle chateau to remodel it into a 4-star hotel with a (possibly MICHELIN) restaurant!

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.

Marta de Bonneval runs her family chateau in Haute-Vienne, an authentic XIV century fortress, once "visited" by the devil!

Tine and Mads from Copenhagen, Denmark spend their holidays in France restoring their XVI century chateau with 7 fireplaces and authentic towers.

A trained architect, archaeologist and stone mason restoring his XIIth century chateau in France's Occitania.

Shaun and Jo Kent wanted a lifetime restoration project. This abandoned chateau in the spa town of Bagnères de Luchon was a great match.

NYC-based architect Joseph Pell Lombardi purchased the medieval castle in France to implement a long-sought restoration project.

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.

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!

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.

A team of enthusiasts is building a 13th century chateau in Burgundy, France from scratch using medieval tools and techniques.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Laigneaus restored the unique royal Rivau stables which once bred stallions for the King of France and created 14 fairytale gardens