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Chateau DIY S11E01 H 264
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00:00Across France, there are thousands of breathtaking chateaux.
00:06Many forgotten and crumbling into disrepair are now being brought back to life by adventurous
00:15new owners.
00:16The plan for here is a swimming pool.
00:18We are, yeah.
00:19They're taking on monumental challenges.
00:23Nice and slowly.
00:24Restoring history while building homes.
00:28Wow.
00:29I think they've outdone Versailles.
00:31And thriving businesses.
00:33Squeeze in much tighter.
00:36There'll be triumphs.
00:38Welcome to the tower, sweet.
00:40Oh, my God.
00:42And setbacks.
00:43I wish you hadn't come up with this sort of thing.
00:46What a nightmare.
00:48But for those who dare.
00:50I love all this.
00:51I absolutely love all this.
00:53The rewards are extraordinary.
00:56Today's a very good day.
00:57Very, very good day.
00:59I'm really happy.
01:00Because this isn't just restoration.
01:02The best thing about having a chateau is being able to gather all the people you love.
01:07It's the chance to become custodians of their very own castles.
01:16Today, a daring DIYer.
01:19You hang that up there.
01:21I'll put this on the top.
01:22If this comes down, I will be furious.
01:25Yes.
01:26Risks a heavy price.
01:28Oh, I saw that move.
01:30Will a circuit.
01:32Got enough people.
01:34Cut this ceremony short.
01:35Electric is gone.
01:36And two new owners face up to chateau life.
01:42This is the biggest garden I've ever had.
01:52In western France, a stone's throw from the picturesque village of St. Pierre de Maillet lies the fairy tale Chateau
02:02de la Boutiniere, with 47 rooms spread across five floors and set in a 52-acre wooded estate.
02:17It's the dream home of interior designer Alison and builder Zion, who snapped it up for £580,000 in 2021.
02:31When you come through that gate, you do feel very high.
02:35You think, wow, I live here.
02:36Yeah, really.
02:37It's quiet.
02:38It's peaceful.
02:40It's beautiful.
02:41For me, it's like a playground.
02:43I will never, ever get bored with this chateau.
02:45It's got everything we need.
02:46We're just unfolding all the ideas that we have.
02:50I love living here, and I have to say I never thought we would ever be able to own a
02:54place like this.
02:57Located a three and a half hour drive from Paris, Alison and Zion have been pouring heart and soul into
03:05the chateau's restoration, with grand plans to turn it into a luxury wedding venue.
03:14Last time we saw them, they completed a painstaking restoration of the whole rear facade, ready to host their first
03:25ever wedding.
03:30We are so happy to have you in our place and to get you married here.
03:37I mean, it's just perfect, isn't it?
03:40Today, they're preparing to host a 60th anniversary vow renewal in a special space tucked away in one corner of
03:51the chateau.
03:52It's very exciting because it's the first time the chapel has been used potentially in 40 years.
03:58Probably 40 years.
03:58Yeah, 40 years.
03:59And it deserves a good spruce up.
04:02A box for boxes.
04:04It's going to be quite a challenge to get it all ready in time, but everything's always a challenge and
04:08it always has to be done like yesterday.
04:10So, what's new?
04:1420 guests from an American church group are flying in this week for the service and a celebratory lunch.
04:23Probably put my Mrs Brush hat on.
04:25I don't think this chapel can have been cleaned in 40 years.
04:28I'm not really surprised because look how high I can get.
04:31That's about it.
04:32But I'm going to struggle with the rest of it.
04:36Reaching to the heavens of this eight-metre double-height space requires some chateau-scale thinking.
04:43Alison?
04:45Mm?
04:45Would you like some help?
04:47Yeah.
04:49I've got a small extension.
04:51Or how big do you want it?
04:53Seriously?
04:54How big do you want your extension?
04:56That's perfect.
04:57Eh?
05:03This is quite heavy to deal with.
05:07Oh, gosh, look at the...
05:09Ooh, that is grim.
05:12Wah!
05:13Ooh, yuck.
05:1440-year-old cobwebs.
05:18Navigating the original 19th-century features isn't easy.
05:23Don't knock any bits off.
05:24Yeah, exactly.
05:26I can't afford to make a mistake.
05:31But at last, Alison and Zion are done and dusted for today.
05:37Looking very good now.
05:38I feel really happy we've managed to get these cobwebs down.
05:41I never thought it would make me feel quite so content to get it back to how it should be.
05:47But with less than a week until the vow renewal, there's still new lighting to wire in.
06:06The dream of owning one of France's thousands of chateaux captures the hearts of many brave renovators.
06:16Tucked away in the Occitanie region of southern France is the historic Chateau de Montespieux.
06:27With parts dating back to the 1200s, it boasts 66 rooms, six towers, and a 37-acre estate.
06:42In 2023, British boat builder Roger and his half-French wife Louisa stumbled across this forgotten castle, and it was
06:53love at first sight.
06:55Never in my dreams or nightmares did I ever think I would end up living in a chateau at all.
07:03It's not the French dream.
07:06The French dream of a new build, they really don't dream of renovating.
07:12But once we saw this chateau, I couldn't get it out of our heads.
07:18It just seemed like a great challenge, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
07:21I know all these things are sort of corny expressions, but that's how it felt.
07:27So, the dream started with this chateau.
07:34Located an hour east of Toulouse, the couple bought this sleeping beauty for £840,000, and hoped to create a
07:44luxury event venue.
07:46We've been quite careful in the past about selecting properties that we feel would be manageable for us,
07:51would be within a scale that we could cope with.
07:54But this one is by far the biggest project we've ever taken on, and I'm certain it will be the
07:59biggest project we will ever take on.
08:01But, you know, there's no reason to think we can't do this one as well.
08:06Well, this property certainly isn't for the faint-hearted.
08:10Welcome to the Chateau of Montespieux.
08:13The enormous castle is spread across three wings set around a central courtyard.
08:20It was home to an aristocratic family until the early 60s,
08:23but when the last of the line passed away, it's been through several hands after that.
08:27It's been at one stage a nightclub, a roller-skating rink, amongst many other things.
08:33The east wing here of the Chateau has been fully renovated and has got electrics and everything like that.
08:41The wing behind me, the south wing and the west wing, however, haven't been lived in probably since the 60s,
08:47which means that the pigeons moved in.
08:49There's been some collapse of some of the ceilings and so forth, some pretty bad leaks in the roof.
08:55Since getting the keys a year and a half ago, they've been staying in the east wing and soaking up
09:02the grandeur.
09:04Welcome to the renovated side of the Chateau.
09:07This was what would have been the music room for the evening's entertainment.
09:11I love this room. I think it looks amazing with its arches, cutting it in half and the tall windows.
09:16Nothing to do here, nothing to touch. It just looks beautiful.
09:21As well as six rooms downstairs, this part has five bedrooms, including a stunning master suite.
09:32This room was one of the things that really drew our attention when we were buying the place.
09:38This has been unchanged for probably 120, 130 years.
09:42I think quite a lot of chateaus have these sort of ceilings which then came out of fashion.
09:47So they were painted over, they were covered up.
09:49So this suite is going to be kept as the bridal suite for when we have weddings.
09:54This will be where they spend the wedding night.
09:58But it's in the other two wings where the scale of their project begins to unfold.
10:06This is part of the west wing of the chateau, which is the part of the chateau that hasn't been
10:10lived in for some time.
10:12This was the servants' quarters at the time when it had the aristocrats in place.
10:19And this would have been the kitchen.
10:21It's not really in a Liverpool condition at the moment.
10:24This is the side that we're hoping to move into.
10:26We want to move into the west wing, the rooms are more manageable, the ceilings are a bit lower.
10:31And we're going to create another sort of independent house within this wing.
10:36With the whole south wing to transform into guest accommodation first, this is DIY on the biggest chateau scale.
10:52Coming up, one chateaune is under pressure.
10:57The paste goes off after about an hour, and that usually is how long it takes Sharon and put one
11:02piece up.
11:04You can't rush perfection.
11:07While Louisa and Roger play detective.
11:11We've been given this old map and we've seen that there used to be a path from here leading to
11:15the chateau.
11:15We're hoping to find that old track that was built in the sort of 19th century and reopen it again.
11:27Deep in the countryside of Limousin in central France lies the majestic 19th century Chateau de la Gruyère.
11:40With two stunning towers and a fairytale turret, it boasts 12 bedrooms and two grand salons.
11:52It's now home to Oxfordshire couple Sharon, a retired district nurse.
11:57Yes.
11:59And Tim, a former construction manager, who snapped it up in 2022 for £500,000.
12:08When we first walked into the property, I came in here and in this dining room.
12:13Very much...
12:14Yeah, just here in this spot.
12:15It's getting me again now.
12:16I know, yeah.
12:21You had a emotional response and you thought, this is the one I want to buy.
12:25It felt that there was a need from the place for us to be here.
12:29To have a couple of English people come and bring it back to life.
12:32Yeah.
12:32I think it was.
12:36Located three hours north of Toulouse, since moving in, Sharon and Tim have thrown themselves into the renovation.
12:44If I let it go, can you catch it?
12:47Careful!
12:49Last year they took the plunge with a new swimming pool and pool house.
12:56Is this the life?
12:58I think so.
12:59As well as finishing an opulent bedroom for family and friends.
13:05Eight rooms done.
13:06Fourteen to go.
13:08Fourteen to go.
13:09Your favourite.
13:13This year, the heat is on to get ready for paying guests.
13:19We've got the first floor upside down.
13:21We need to finish that first floor.
13:23We've got bathrooms to go in, we've got bedrooms to complete, we've got the hallway to complete.
13:29Which brings pressure.
13:30Yeah, it does.
13:34Hoping to open this summer.
13:36Okay.
13:37Right.
13:38Ready to go.
13:39Today, they're pressing on with a room they're calling the Tower Suite, due to its unique turret bathroom.
13:47Oh, look at that.
13:49How tight is that?
13:51They've already started to decorate the bedroom and en suite with Sharon's statement wallpaper.
13:58Okay, I'm ready when you are.
14:00You ready?
14:00No.
14:01Just by asking me, it doesn't make me go any faster.
14:06Okay, let's see then.
14:08You can't rush perfection.
14:11It's all in the detail, isn't it?
14:13The only thing is you have to be careful because the paste goes off after about an hour.
14:18And that usually is how long it takes, Sharon, to put one piece up.
14:22Don't be mean.
14:28See, when I moved to France, I had this vision that I'd sweep down the staircase with a glass of
14:37rosé in my hand.
14:39That has yet to happen.
14:41You happy with that lining up now and that one?
14:43Are you happy with it?
14:44Yeah, that is lined up.
14:47Let's put the old laser level up and see how great it is.
14:49Oh, for goodness sake.
14:52Actually, that is on the money.
14:54Absolutely on the money.
14:55Pardon?
14:56I said it's nearly there on the money.
14:58Did you say it's on the money?
15:01Very good.
15:01That is right on it, look.
15:07So, at the moment, all you could see is this, what some might say, ghastly wallpaper.
15:12But I'm hoping, when the room is put together, it will just be a backdrop.
15:18But I wanted to follow through what I'd done in the tower with the flowers in there.
15:23If I think of a tower, I think of ivy growing on the outside of a tower, but I've brought
15:29it inside and had the flowers growing on the inside.
15:32It is bold, but I think, I'm hoping it will work.
15:40Sharon's vision is beginning to blossom, but there's a lot to do before anyone can lie back and smell the
15:48roses.
15:56A couple of hours north, Alison and Zion are hard at work sprucing up their chapel before guests fly in
16:04from America for a surprise vow renewal in just two days.
16:10We still have to put up the lights, we have to sort out the furniture, I need to do some
16:16flowers around the altar, and we need to prepare the dining room.
16:19So, I'm getting a little nervous.
16:23Hosting these special events is what interior designer Alison has been dreaming of for years.
16:30I love doing these sorts of things.
16:32We've been collecting all these different candlesticks from the various broccants we've been to.
16:39And there's something so lovely about having an excuse to use them.
16:45Meanwhile...
16:46This is so hard.
16:48Zion is battling to fit another of Alison's broccant finds.
16:54How are you supposed to meet any connectors?
16:56There's no room for this, and I don't want to dig inside the wood.
16:59Do you want a different type of fitting then?
17:01If you got something that'd be a bit...
17:03Let me go and have another look, because I've got lots.
17:07OK, I'll clear the other one.
17:10Luckily, the chateau basement is a literal Aladdin's cave.
17:16Welcome to my broccant room.
17:22It's almost overflowing.
17:26With 47 rooms to restore, Alison has been stockpiling second-hand treasures.
17:34I always try to buy pairs of lights, because you can guarantee you're going to need two.
17:40So they're all different styles.
17:43No, I don't think that's going to be good.
17:48Wow, that's very grand.
17:50Look at that one.
17:52Now, Zion just has to pray it's second time lucky.
17:57Let's hope this will fit inside there.
18:03Go on.
18:04Let's see if I can hear a bang.
18:09Oh!
18:11That's brilliant.
18:14It's another job off the list.
18:17And while Zion tackles a draughty door,
18:22Alison's going for gold at the altar.
18:25This chapel was commissioned by Madame Proer,
18:28who was the lady who built our chateau.
18:32Built in 1872, and the chapel, we think, was installed,
18:36started in 1890 and finished in 1893.
18:41And the priest who came to consecrate it,
18:44because in those days Roman Catholic priests were still being persecuted,
18:49he said, the only reason I can come here
18:50is because La Boutonniere is surrounded by trees
18:53and nobody knows I'm here.
18:55It's a really lovely story.
18:57You've got this secret chapel.
18:59So it's really quite special.
19:04After years of neglect,
19:06the chapel is getting a new lease of life.
19:10It's cleaned, it's dusted, got new lights.
19:15Alison gave it a bit of a facelift, if you like, inside.
19:19And now it really looks really pretty.
19:20We're very proud of it.
19:22It's lovely.
19:23With just one day left before their guests arrive,
19:27Alison and Zion are hoping there are no unholy surprises.
19:40Down in the Occitanie region,
19:43new owners Louisa and Roger are at the start of their renovation project.
19:51And they have grand plans for one of their chateau's most show-stopping features.
19:57We are in the Logia.
20:00This is a balcony that was created in the late 1800s, we believe.
20:05It's probably the space which needs the most work.
20:08But it really is a little bit of a heart-flutter area.
20:12The columns, you know, the vaulted openings here are just beautiful and quite fairytale-y.
20:20What we've been given planning permission to do is to replace all of this other wall with glass
20:25and to make the whole area into a sort of salon dining room that we can use in summer and
20:30winter.
20:33They're planning to use most of the chateau's three wings as guest accommodation.
20:39But there's an enormous amount of work to do first.
20:43This is one of many rooms which need an overhaul.
20:47On this wing alone, west wing, we've got another four rooms in similar condition
20:52which need everything done to them, you know, new electrics, et cetera, done to them.
20:58And then on the south wing, of course, all the top rooms are in similar condition, aren't they?
21:03Where the ceilings have come down.
21:05I think we've accepted that this project is a never-ending project.
21:09There will always be something to do.
21:10And to be honest, that suits us, that suits us well enough.
21:14It's nice to think that you'll always be busy.
21:18It's not just the building that needs their attention, though.
21:24Today, they're heading outside to tackle a job in their 37-acre estate.
21:32With the responsibility of ownership of the chateau comes the maintenance of the park and the trees.
21:37We've been given this old map and we've seen that there used to be a path from here leading to
21:41the chateau.
21:42It's been clearly not used for a long time because it's very overgrown.
21:45We might have to be a little bit creative, but we're hoping to find that old track
21:49that was built in the sort of 19th century and reopen it again.
21:54The path once passed through two wooded areas, both now massively overgrown.
22:02So, it's down here.
22:03OK, down...
22:04This one.
22:05That one goes, Rog.
22:06That one.
22:07And...
22:08That, for now...
22:09It's definitely from here, though. I can see it.
22:11It goes that way.
22:12That's the way we're going to go.
22:13Yeah.
22:16We might need the chainsaw on this log, eventually.
22:22This is gardening, but on a chateau scale.
22:26Gardening really isn't my thing. I mean, even houseplants I struggle with.
22:31This is the biggest garden I've ever had.
22:38We had a really little garden.
22:40It really was just a bit of lawn.
22:42All you had to do was mow the lawn twice a week and that was it.
22:46No, no, this is...
22:47This has got trees.
22:54We're nearly there.
22:56You can actually see the whole path heading across.
22:58Yes.
22:58We must be in the right place.
23:00In fact, I can see a shape here.
23:02Like a...
23:03Like the carts?
23:04The carts were going in it.
23:05Roger decides to bring out the big guns.
23:08I'm holding on.
23:09Ready?
23:10Yeah.
23:16Yes.
23:17Yes.
23:18There we go.
23:19There we go.
23:20It's open.
23:21Time to collect the tools and tackle on the next one, Rog.
23:25It's a good start, but with a second much larger copse still to deal with,
23:31there's a long afternoon ahead.
23:40Still to come.
23:42It'll be tricky.
23:43Oh, no.
23:44Tim is at the end of his tether.
23:47You can only work with what you've got,
23:48unless you want to knock the tower down.
23:51You're not going to do that, are you?
23:55And Louisa's in the firing line.
23:57Aim for where I am right here.
24:00I'm going to come directly that right through to where you are.
24:03You watch out for me, Roger.
24:05I'm here.
24:05But just move when I get there.
24:14In Western France, with just 24 hours before Alison and Zion's chapel
24:19hosts its first service in over 30 years,
24:24there's a last-minute job to tackle.
24:30I have just noticed on the chapel altar,
24:33there's a gap which used to have an altar stone in it.
24:36We have a piece of marble found in the garden
24:40that's exactly the same colour as the altar,
24:42so I would really like him to cut a slab that can go in this little hole.
24:47To fill the space where the holy stone would once have sat,
24:52builder Zion needs to make do and mend.
24:56Well, I'm going to cut it and then this missing bit here,
24:59I'm going to patch it up.
25:01Let's hope it's not going to crack while I'm cutting it
25:03because it sounds like it's very weak.
25:15Yeah, it seems to be all right.
25:19Try to find a piece that might match.
25:23You know, that's the amazing thing about Zion.
25:26I ask him to cut something.
25:28I'm thinking, oh, well, we'll just sort of bodge it a bit
25:30and he makes it really, really lovely.
25:33So I'm very lucky.
25:34He knows exactly what he's doing on all sorts of things.
25:36OK, a little cleaning now.
25:43This piece of marble was in a shed for goodness knows how many years,
25:47so repurposing it is a really nice thing to do.
25:49It's our contribution to the history of the chateau.
25:53Right, here we go.
26:00Ta-da!
26:03Perfect.
26:07All right.
26:07I'll see you later.
26:08I'm going to get the chairs.
26:09Yeah, 25 chairs?
26:1125.
26:12No problem.
26:17We only need 20, but we'll put 25.
26:1925.
26:23No shirking on the job.
26:25I'm just trying, you know.
26:27You know, if you want to have a satisfied client,
26:30you must try the things before you let them try.
26:35It's taken a lot of hard work, but with guests due to arrive first thing tomorrow, the chapel is almost
26:44ready to welcome them.
26:45We're on the final straight and it's all coming together.
26:55Bright and early the next morning, it's all hands on deck.
27:00Always last minute things, you know.
27:03To make the chateau spick and span.
27:06Everything polished to within an inch of its life.
27:13Madness reigns.
27:18Just a week ago, Alison and Zion's chapel was an unloved dumping ground,
27:25crammed full of stored items and furniture,
27:28covered with decades of dust and dirt.
27:36Now, it is being transformed into a beautifully warm, serene, soulful space
27:43where stunning architectural details shine under the newly wired lights
27:49and the repaired altar stands proud.
27:54We changed everything upside down, you know, painting, cleaning,
27:58organising, wiring, candles, you name it.
28:02Who would have thought that pile of stuff could be evaporated into a church?
28:08Yeah.
28:08As it should be.
28:11Right on time, the American church group arrive.
28:15Oh, Father Simon.
28:18Hiya.
28:19How are you?
28:19Good to see you again.
28:20Lovely to see you.
28:21Yes, very well.
28:23Welcome to La Boutiniere.
28:25Come in.
28:26Don't hesitate.
28:27This is absolutely gorgeous.
28:29Look at this place.
28:30Come in here.
28:30Let's mingle.
28:31While Alison entertains the guests in the salon,
28:35Zion shows the priests through.
28:38It's a beautiful chapel and a beautiful French stained glass,
28:44late 19th century, I think.
28:46It's really nice.
28:49With the chapel finally brought back to life after decades.
28:54That is absolutely beautiful.
28:56I'm so thrilled.
28:57Alison and Zion just have to pray that the 60th wedding anniversary celebrations
29:03go without a hitch.
29:13100 miles away in Limousin, at Sharon and Tim's,
29:17the race is on to get the chateau guest-ready for the summer.
29:22So the key is, I think, plenty of paste.
29:27And their tower suite, with its curved bathroom walls,
29:31is giving Tim particular grief.
29:34This room has been, well, with rotten floors,
29:37vermin up in the ceiling when we took it down.
29:39It's been a labour of love in here for sure,
29:42but we're getting there now and it will be worth it when it's done.
29:48So I've only pasted halfway down,
29:50because I think if we can get that bit done here first...
29:54Wallpapering the cylindrical turret
29:56is a particularly chateau-esque challenge.
30:00It'll be tricky.
30:01Oh, no.
30:02But we've done lots of wallpapering.
30:06Probably a reason why people don't wallpaper towers.
30:09You've got to go around the bend.
30:11Driving around the bend.
30:13Good on the matches?
30:14Yeah, but it needs to be butted up a bit more.
30:18I mean, the great thing about having real patterned wallpapers,
30:21you can't see very much.
30:26I might just stick the laser on it and just see what happens.
30:31See how far it is out, that wall?
30:34Holy moly.
30:35Oh, my word.
30:42That's the problem we can see, is that because the room is...
30:45It's not a perfect cylinder.
30:47Well, the diameter at the bottom...
30:49It's narrower.
30:50It's narrower.
30:51So it's more cone-shaped.
30:52Yeah.
30:53So that's what we're up against.
30:56We haven't got massive amount of creases or anything, which is good.
31:00But you can only work with what you've got.
31:02Unless you want to knock the tower down, you're not going to do that, are you?
31:06The trouble is I could fiddle about with this all day long.
31:14With Tim locked away in the tower and time of the essence to get the suite finished,
31:20Sharon cracks on with some curtains she's upcycling.
31:24OK.
31:27All 18 feet of them.
31:29It's quite thick because it's on the edge of the curtain, so it's double,
31:33so I'm going through, like, two layers.
31:36The year till Christmas.
31:39In my nursing career, I never put stitches in but took them out.
31:44I think three knots is what a surgeon uses.
31:47That's my first bit done, and I've got to go all the way up there.
31:51So this is like the M1, and I haven't got on it yet.
31:54I'm still on an A road.
31:56That's an awful lot.
31:57I think I will definitely ring my friend and say,
32:00can I borrow her sewing machine?
32:07Tim's battle of the bathroom is almost over.
32:11But with a whole boudoir to furnish,
32:14their fairy tale tower suite is still a long way from its happy ever after.
32:26200 miles south at Chateau de Montespieux,
32:30Louisa and Roger are tackling a super-sized gardening job.
32:35Can you see any sign of which bit to go through?
32:37I think it's got to be this bit.
32:39Well, it's between those two trees, Roger.
32:41It's got to be, right?
32:41The path is arriving there, so it's got to be here.
32:45They need to clear a second overgrown section
32:48of one of the estate's original 19th-century paths.
32:53What we're trying to get through are the brambles
32:55that lead us through this copse and onto the south terrace of the Chateau.
32:59What I'm going to try is to put the bucket of the tractor in
33:02and try and rip them out as much as I can.
33:04That may or may not work,
33:05but eventually I'll have to get the brush-cutting machine in again
33:09to clear the way through.
33:11OK, Rog, aim for where I am, right here.
33:15And Louisa's trying to guide me as I come forward
33:17to make sure that I avoid the worst of the big trees and the big brambles.
33:27You want to come here?
33:34We're through!
33:35First part done.
33:37Next, they can start clearing the path through the copse.
33:41We're coming right through here, Roger.
33:44This is the way.
33:45It might be easier to come with the tractor from this end in.
33:48I'm not going to.
33:48No, I'll come from this side, I think.
33:50This is what he hates,
33:51is when I try and give him direction on where to use his big tools.
33:55Because we've only got one chainsaw.
33:58I want it here.
33:59I want it here.
34:00I'm going to come directly that right through to where you are.
34:02You watch out for me, Roger.
34:04But just move when I get there.
34:06Oh.
34:16Oh, dear, oh dear.
34:18Oh, I stalled it.
34:23The other side of the woods is nearly in sight.
34:28But the brambles are fighting back.
34:31Ah, not quite.
34:37That's some really thick brambles.
34:43Ta-da!
34:44We're through.
34:45Here we go.
34:46We're straight through to the chateau, look.
34:48Oh, look at that, Roger.
34:49All open, brambles done.
34:51There's still a bit of a tidy up to do.
34:52Yeah, but that'll make a lovely summer walk.
34:55Well done.
34:56Yeah, well done you.
34:58I love it.
34:59That was a good idea.
35:01It's been a hard afternoon's work, but this plucky pair are determined to bring their new home back to life.
35:10We've had a great day today.
35:12I've thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the new growth that we've hacked through to find the path.
35:18It was easier than I thought.
35:20Yeah, the tools did the job today, didn't they?
35:23Thank goodness.
35:23But no, it's good fun.
35:26You really feel the history of the place.
35:28People have walked through these paths before, the pride they must have felt when they first planted those trees,
35:34you know, the vision that they had, and being able to now enjoy that hundreds of years afterwards.
35:40I mean, we're talking about 150 years later on, being able to, yes, following those footsteps.
35:45And you do, you feel the weight of history there.
35:48I can't wait to have guests staying here and using the grounds.
35:54No, it's going to be nice.
35:55With 66 rooms, there's a mountain of DIY ahead before they can throw open their doors to guests.
36:04So, this chateau journey has only just begun.
36:12Still to come.
36:14It's holy orders for Alison and Zion.
36:17Are you ready to renew your pledge of love?
36:20This is what the chateau's for.
36:21It's for sharing a lovely, enjoyable day.
36:24While Sharon isn't feeling the love for Tim's daring DIY.
36:30See, if I could put something heavy on this side, then we can move to the...
36:32Oh, yeah, let's put some heavy on it and let the whole thing fall down.
36:42In central France, at Chateau de la Gruyere, everything is coming up roses, as Sharon and Tim have finally finished
36:52wallpapering the tower suite.
36:55So, if you take this one.
36:57Yep.
36:58And now Sharon has more statement decor to add.
37:02I think when you put a bed crown over a bed, it adds grandeur.
37:06It adds opulence.
37:08It adds something special.
37:10So, that's why I want to put it definitely in the master bedroom.
37:13The bed crown for me is about, how do I get it up there and keep it up there?
37:17Because there's going to be an awful lot of weight on this.
37:22This is what the bed crown is going to carry.
37:25OK.
37:25So, you still think it's going to carry it all?
37:29Yes.
37:29Yes.
37:30OK, follow me.
37:32Are we going?
37:32Yeah.
37:33This is a mammoth recycling project.
37:37Using curtains Sharon has repurposed from other rooms.
37:41Yo, yo.
37:45Tim has made a temporary prop for the nine-foot lengths of material,
37:50so budding designer Sharon can make her colour choice.
37:54I haven't got the final thought in my head.
37:57I'm leaving that quite loose,
37:59because I think it's going to be an organic work in progress.
38:02So, let's see.
38:03OK.
38:04So, that's going to be the...
38:06Backdrop.
38:07The backdrop, yes.
38:09That just leaves the heavier drapes to try out.
38:13We could prop them,
38:13or we could hang it over the top.
38:15A sticker, where's our dumbbell gone?
38:17You are asking for trouble.
38:19That will fall down.
38:19Put a dumbbell on there.
38:20So, I think you hang that up there.
38:22I'll put this on the top.
38:23We hold that up.
38:25If this comes down, I will be furious.
38:29Seriously, Tim, I'm not mucking about here.
38:32If that comes down, you will have to deal with it.
38:38So, is that sort of the feeling you're trying to...
38:40Yeah, absolutely.
38:41...achieve?
38:45What?
38:46What's the matter?
38:48You're going to do it?
38:49Yeah.
38:51Oh, I saw that move.
38:57OK, come down, come down.
38:59Are you happy with...
38:59Is that in the right place?
39:00Yes, that's fine.
39:01Because if it's not, I can move it about.
39:02No.
39:03See, if I could put something heavy on this side,
39:05then we can move...
39:06Oh, yeah, let's put something heavy on
39:07and let the whole thing fall down.
39:09I'll put a box of tiles up there.
39:10Good Lord.
39:13Perfect.
39:14OK, right.
39:15Take those up first.
39:17And that's...
39:19It's about there, yeah.
39:21Can I let go?
39:23Yeah.
39:23Wow.
39:24OK, hang on.
39:25See, it just softens everything.
39:27Too much going on with this.
39:28Yeah.
39:28Like, in my opinion, but then I know nothing.
39:30So then my...
39:31So this is what I'm going to do.
39:33I'm going to have that in the background.
39:34I'm going to have two of those.
39:35So then I'm going to put these up at the window.
39:39It's good, though.
39:39I think it's going to look nice.
39:40Don't you?
39:41I like it.
39:41I like the colour.
39:44It was a good exercise because I've got it in my head,
39:48but I needed to see it in real time.
39:49So I've now seen it in real time.
39:51So we use what we've got in here, upcycling, recycling,
39:54just using everything.
39:56My biggest thing now is to see if I can pull the whole room together.
40:00Their princess-style bed hangs in the balance,
40:05and with a room still to furnish and dress for guests,
40:09there's a long way to go before this suite has its fairy tale ending.
40:20Further north, in Alison and Zion's chapel,
40:23Mass is about to begin.
40:28But first, Father Scott has a surprise for church member Mary,
40:34courtesy of husband Leo.
40:36This guy here emailed me about a month or more ago,
40:42asking while they were in France,
40:44could we do something to celebrate him being 60 years married
40:49to this little girl here?
40:52After the Mass, I'm going to give you an anniversary blessing.
40:57Got enough people?
41:00Electric is gone.
41:03It's terrible timing,
41:05but Zion's made a dash for the trip switch.
41:10Done.
41:10Isn't that amazing?
41:12Exactly, boom, electric is gone.
41:18Upstairs, the congregation are unaware.
41:26The Chateau Mass is a magical moment for everyone.
41:30And for couple, Leo and Mary,
41:34it's something they will cherish forever.
41:38What joy and peace must fill your hearts this day
41:42as you stand before Christ after 60 years together.
41:46Mary Helen, are you ready to renew your pledge of love
41:49and be faithful to Leo, your husband?
41:52Yes, I am.
41:53With this ring,
41:55with this ring,
41:56I once more,
41:57I once more,
41:58seal my heart to yours.
41:59Seal my heart to yours.
42:00I promise my lifelong fidelity.
42:02I promise my lifelong fidelity.
42:04You may now kiss the bride.
42:14It was wonderful.
42:16Simply wonderful.
42:18And such a beautiful place to have it done.
42:20And you actually felt God's presence at times,
42:23so that made it special.
42:24I have to honestly say,
42:26I came close to flood and tears.
42:30The chapel was incredible.
42:32I've never experienced the feeling of warmth
42:36like I did in such a small enclosure
42:38in a private home.
42:40I just found it breathtaking.
42:42To be married in front of something like that
42:45is very special.
42:46To be remarried in something like that is...
42:49Beyond thought.
42:51Plates here, help yourselves.
42:54Ceremony complete,
42:55the guests enjoy a light lunch,
42:58where Alison and Zion
43:00are keen to make everyone at home.
43:03It's like having one big family
43:05come in to visit, you know?
43:07And it feels...
43:10It feels like, you know,
43:11this is what it's all about.
43:13You should be here.
43:15Nobody can see you.
43:17All the tall guys hide behind Father Mark.
43:20This is what the Chateau's for.
43:21It's for sharing,
43:23it's for having big crowds.
43:24To see our chapel used like that today
43:26was fabulous.
43:28This is how we want to operate.
43:30Beautiful house,
43:31lovely, enjoyable day,
43:33and hopefully really relaxed.
43:37You're waking the neighbours.
43:41The chapel's first use in over 30 years
43:44has been a huge success.
43:47And Alison and Zion
43:49are hoping
43:50it's just the beginning.
43:59Next time,
44:00one family take on
44:02an elaborate project.
44:04This is going to take a long time.
44:07This pair face a dicey renovation job.
44:11Un, deux, trois.
44:14Are you pulling?
44:15Yes.
44:16And tempers flare
44:18between Tim and Sharon.
44:20Are you sure it goes
44:21because there's a lot of colour?
44:23I think it's stunning.
44:24If it was me,
44:25this would be painted magnolia.
44:27Do not inherit.
44:29I think it's strange.
44:54Do not inspect.
44:57You
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