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00:00Across France are thousands of breathtaking chateaux.
00:06Many fallen into rack and ruin.
00:09Oh my goodness.
00:10They weren't in the state of it.
00:12Now being brought back to life by plucky new owners.
00:17Careful!
00:18He doesn't have any idea of danger.
00:21They're taking on the challenge.
00:24These floorboards are gone.
00:25The only thing they're good for is the fire.
00:27To transform these once unloved buildings.
00:31Hands down, recommend a cherry picker to anyone.
00:34Back into incredible homes.
00:37Holy chandelier!
00:39This is just phenomenal.
00:42And businesses.
00:43Thank you so much.
00:45You're welcome.
00:46There'll be successes.
00:47I'm a bit giddy.
00:49Giddy? Giddy?
00:51And setbacks.
00:52Oh my God, what's that? It's a bat.
00:54But however hard the going gets.
00:57Oh my poor Patio.
00:59These intrepid DIYers.
01:02No, not on the side.
01:03I know, I know.
01:05Get to live the dream.
01:08As kings and queens of their very own castle.
01:15Today, an ambitious suite renovation reveals hidden horrors.
01:22If you can see daylight, it's not a good omen.
01:25Back to back weddings push these chateau owners to their limits.
01:30I don't need slowing down.
01:32I need speeding up.
01:34And a pair of novice DIYers plumb new depths.
01:39I've photographed the royals and presidents of the United States.
01:43And now I've found myself removing a toilet.
01:51In the rural corner of the idyllic Vienne département of Western France lies the fairy tale Chateau de la Boutiniere.
02:02Set in 52 acres.
02:05With 12 outbuildings and boasting 47 rooms over 5 floors.
02:12It had lain abandoned for 5 years before builder Zion and interior designer Alison began bringing it back to life.
02:22Good morning ladies.
02:26I think we are a very good team.
02:29Alison give orders and I do them.
02:31As an interior designer, to have somebody as capable as Zion, as a builder, it takes my designs way beyond
02:39the box.
02:42Dream machine.
02:48Located under an hour's drive from Poitiers, Alison and Zion snapped up the place for 580,000 pounds in 2021.
02:59And set their hearts on running a luxury wedding business.
03:04We are so happy to have you in our place.
03:07Last time we saw them.
03:09Oh yuck.
03:1040 year old cobwebs.
03:11They transformed their chapel from dumping ground to stunning sanctuary.
03:21And hosted a very special 60th wedding vow renewal service.
03:28What joy and peace must fill your hearts this day as you stand before Christ after 60 years together.
03:36It feels like you know this is what it's all about.
03:38Now, with the wedding season fast approaching, they're on to their next project.
03:46We're doing a bedroom suite on our second floor.
03:50This one has to be magnificent.
03:51It's the biggest room up there.
03:53We're knocking all the walls down and making this glorious bedroom and an ensuite bathroom.
03:58We don't have a lift.
04:00So when people get up to that second floor, it's got to be worth arriving.
04:06So we're going to start on this one.
04:08The plan is to knock three small rooms into one epic bedroom suite.
04:15It's not going to hit anything.
04:18Oh, you're getting that.
04:22In under 15 minutes, the first wall is down.
04:28And it's like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
04:32When you hit, you can damage the beam.
04:35So let's take this with the chisels gently.
04:37In their new suite, Alison and Zion hope to strip back to the structural bones.
04:44Looks like it's a new beam.
04:46It's amazing how it's been kept all these years.
04:53Meanwhile, Alison's on a treasure hunt of her own.
04:57That's really old.
04:58That's even underneath the old shelf that was in there.
05:01We don't have any records of the chateau in terms of its history.
05:06We're rebuilding its history whilst we're uncovering its history at the same time.
05:10So that, for me, is really exciting.
05:12But not all their discoveries are quite so positive.
05:17Yeah, you can see the outside.
05:19Really?
05:21Oh, God.
05:23If you can see daylight, it's not a good omen.
05:28Obviously, if there is daylight, you need to stop it.
05:31That means it's going to be wind, cold.
05:34So all have to be insulated.
05:36No rest for the wicked in this place.
05:39You must be very wicked.
05:40The job seems to be growing by the minute.
05:44And with the walls to insulate and the design and decor still to plan,
05:50Alison and Zion just need to hope there are no more nasty surprises in store.
06:02Tucked away in the Liffy-Pay de Loire in Western France stands the majestic Chateau de la Verne.
06:12This 19th-century chateau boasts 14 rooms, a private chapel and five acres of parkland.
06:24It's home to married couple Claire and Lionel, both former photographers who swapped life in London
06:34for a French Chateau adventure in 2022.
06:39I have to say it wasn't my dream to have a Chateau.
06:44A large house would have been nice.
06:47I'm afraid it was me. I've always wanted a Chateau.
06:50My DIY experience is somewhat limited.
06:54I like to call myself the reluctant DIYer.
06:57Quite good at ordering people around.
07:00That's not really DIY though, is it?
07:02That's do-you-why.
07:07I'm a bit more adventurous with the DIY.
07:10I will definitely have a go at anything.
07:12I am really hoping that Lionel will discover a love for DIY
07:16and will get really stuck in and help me with all the difficult jobs.
07:19I think it might happen sometimes.
07:23No, no, I don't think so.
07:33Located just half an hour's drive from New York, Lionel and Claire bought the Chateau for £820,000
07:43with grand plans to renovate it into a spectacular family home.
07:49But so far, have only completed the salon.
07:54Today, they're taking on a new guest suite.
07:59This room has traditionally been the room that's dedicated to Claire's parents.
08:06I want to make it really nice for them.
08:08At the moment, it's got this tired old wallpaper
08:10because we just haven't done anything in here yet.
08:12So, I want it to be a bit of a surprise for everybody
08:15and make it really posh, really lovely for them to come and stay.
08:19Posh?
08:19Yeah, it's going to be posh.
08:20Yeah, I think so.
08:22Before they can start work, the space needs to be cleared.
08:27Oh, you're so helpful, Margot.
08:32Do you want a hand?
08:33This is going to be heavy.
08:35Hey!
08:36There we go.
08:37Oh!
08:38Are you all right?
08:39All right.
08:39Where are we going with this?
08:41Just lean it against here.
08:45We're going to need a step ladder here, darling.
08:47Er...
08:48Well, you might need a step ladder.
08:49Oh!
08:50All right, I can reach that.
08:51You're such a wit.
08:54OK, ready?
08:59Ready as a short person will ever be.
09:04I don't need a step ladder.
09:06I don't need a step ladder.
09:07All right.
09:09It's a bit of a warning.
09:13There.
09:14Perfect.
09:18Beautiful.
09:19Well done.
09:19Well done.
09:20A little diplomatic effort.
09:22Well done.
09:22With the room now clear, Lionel and Claire can set about stripping off the old dated wallpaper.
09:30And it's a first for reluctant DIYer, Lionel.
09:36Honestly.
09:38You're like one of those people who unwraps their Christmas presents really carefully to save the paper.
09:42I'm trying to get as much off the wall.
09:48You know, like, so if I go like that, right?
09:50Yeah.
09:50The bit that's still stuck properly will remain on the wall.
09:53If I go gently, gently, gently like that, then I'll get more off, won't I?
09:57It's quite easy.
10:00Right, so what you're doing there, right, is what I'm trying to avoid, right?
10:05Is that you're leaving all of that.
10:07No, no, no, I'm not being funny.
10:09I'm being serious.
10:10So are you not...
10:13Forget it.
10:14Suddenly the expert at you.
10:16So it's basically that, like, throw caution to the wind.
10:22And just have fun, right?
10:25Like this.
10:30Oh, come on, you can do it.
10:33Ah, you see?
10:35That's exactly what I did in this.
10:42Hey, that's a good bit.
10:43Oh, that was a good one.
10:45There is an extraordinary amount of satisfaction in doing this.
10:53I'll remember you said that for the next room and then you can come and help me with it.
10:56I can't tell you how enjoyable it was to remove wallpaper.
11:00Up until now, it's been Claire's job.
11:03And now, now I love it.
11:06Who are you?
11:08What have you done with my husband?
11:09You're not my husband.
11:12It's been a successful start.
11:14But with some serious demolition next on the to-do list,
11:19will Lionel's journey of DIY discovery continue?
11:28Coming up, the pressure's on to deliver two dream weddings.
11:34So we just need to make sure that the chefs are providing the perfect food.
11:39Sasha does a fantastic job on the flowers.
11:41Yeah, and to transform the courtyard to the beautiful wedding day setting.
11:45And Alison and Zion hit a stumbling block.
11:48I don't think it's going to work.
11:50Back to the drawing board.
11:52Back to the drawing board.
11:53Back to the drawing board.
11:59In the wine-growing countryside of the Languedoc in southern France,
12:04stands the magnificent 19th century Chateau du Puy-et-Prin.
12:13It comes with seven acres and boasts 39 sumptuous rooms.
12:20It's home to Tim, a photographer, and Sasha, a former fashion designer,
12:26who bought the place for £390,000 in 2003.
12:34Their thriving wedding business, built up over two decades,
12:38is now being run by daughter Lily and son-in-law Luke.
12:44We're so proud. Proud of this wonderful place we're living in.
12:48Now Lily and Luke are looking after the guests more and running the business side.
12:53It's given us the freedom to just make sure the visual aspect of everywhere,
13:00gardens, courtyard, has a unique visibility and quality about it.
13:09Located close to the Mediterranean coast,
13:12their mission during the winter months has been to restore the Chateau Courtyard.
13:18Starting with the ingenious transformation of a hidden bricked-up window
13:25into a magical arched vision bearing Sasha's glowing artwork.
13:31The courtyard is what Sasha and I fell in love with when we first came to see the property.
13:36It's got a magic of its own.
13:38We've just tried to amplify that feeling, that ambience that we felt 24 years ago.
13:47Oh my poor patio, what have you done to it?
13:50Last time we saw them, they removed the old cracked tiles from a raised patio terrace
13:57on one side of the courtyard
14:01and relayed it with pristine stone.
14:06Then, the courtyard slabs were cleaned, painted and have now been resealed with protective resin,
14:15ready for wedding season.
14:18It's been a long winter, it's now spring, the sun's shining and we've done numerous projects in the courtyard that
14:25are looking good, we're proud of
14:27and we're looking forward to the guests enjoying them.
14:31With one spring betrothal already under their belts, they're facing a busy few days with back-to-back weddings scheduled.
14:42Then you've got the choice of orange or red?
14:44No, that's it, those go round the back.
14:46The first is for American couple, Tiara and Luke.
14:51And in her workshop, Sasha is getting to grips with their tricky floral colour scheme.
14:57I think it's because we have blue shutters.
15:01Blue is always so popular and it's so difficult to come by.
15:08But anyway, it's fine. This has got to be the best job in the world.
15:12Meanwhile, in the new courtyard, Lily is welcoming the bride and groom.
15:19Hi!
15:20Hi! How are you guys? Nice to meet you!
15:23And bride Tiara cannot wait to check out Sasha's efforts.
15:29Perfect.
15:31Hi!
15:33Lovely! Nice to meet you!
15:36Welcome, welcome to the flower heaven!
15:38It smells so good, isn't it?
15:43So, we've got, this is going to be your wedding arch.
15:47Okay.
15:48Look at these beautiful delphiniums.
15:51They're so pretty.
15:53I think the lilac and the blue is just really beautiful.
15:57And it does, it makes it pop.
16:00While Sasha cracks on, Lily and Luke take the couple through a rehearsal
16:05against a backdrop of the chateau's very own vineyard.
16:11The more natural you are, the best photos you're going to get.
16:14So, don't try and force anything.
16:16We are very excited for tomorrow.
16:20So, we just need to make sure that the chefs are providing the perfect food.
16:25Sasha does a fantastic job on the flowers.
16:27Yeah.
16:28And to transform the courtyard to the beautiful wedding day setting.
16:33The revamped courtyard is looking its best after all of its pre-season pampering.
16:39But can the family pull off the perfect al fresco event?
16:51350 miles north, Alison and Zion's second floor guest suite renovation is underway.
17:01Ta-da!
17:02With all the demolition done, the couple are turning their attention to the en suite bathroom.
17:10Basin.
17:12And then shower.
17:13Shower.
17:15Alison and Zion have bought a marble-topped unit at a brocante,
17:20but now need to test it out in the space.
17:23I can't remember how much we paid for it, but it wouldn't have been more than about 30 euros.
17:29That's quite a large piece of furniture.
17:33And the other thing is, I'm not sure it's going to look right with the tap like that.
17:38Because that's going to have to come through here.
17:41Which is a shame.
17:54I don't think it's going to work.
17:58Back to the drawing board.
18:00Back to the drawing board.
18:03Designers, eh?
18:04While Zion tackles the plaster boarding,
18:11Downstairs, Alison is concentrating on the finer details.
18:19In a bedroom of the style that we're trying to achieve, we need something really grand and these chandeliers are
18:25going to be just the biscuit.
18:36The two cut glass chandeliers are currently in pieces, and before they can be reassembled, decades of dust need to
18:46be removed.
18:49So every single one of these needs to be cleaned.
18:52But these are going to shine like the sun when they're finished.
18:56This chandelier, or these chandeliers, this is one of two, have a bit of history.
19:00And what's really nice is family history.
19:03Because the gentleman who gave them to us was a very old family friend.
19:08And he said, I think I might have something that would suit your chateau.
19:13And he told us a story about this beautiful old house that he and his wife had done up.
19:17He had some idea of what it is, the challenges we're facing here at the chateau, and sent Zion up
19:23in the attic.
19:24And we came down with these amazing chandeliers.
19:27It just makes it really personal, makes the chateau feel like a home rather than a business.
19:32And that's special, because it is our home.
19:34And all the things we do here, we do with love, which matters, matters a lot.
19:39Alison and Zion are pouring heart and soul into the bedroom suite renovation, but it's a painstaking task, and there
19:49is still a long way to go.
19:56Just 100 miles away, in their new guest bedroom suite, Lionel and Claire are stepping up their DIY skills.
20:07I am dreading this. This is making a hole in the wall, in order to get through to the loo
20:12that's on the other side.
20:14But this is a bit bigger than what we've done before.
20:16This is a doorway hole.
20:18This is a doorway hole.
20:19And I'm going to do it. And one hopes that I'm not going to lose any limbs.
20:23Please don't.
20:24Well, I'll try not to.
20:26The plan is to create a new en suite by connecting the toilet next door to the bedroom.
20:35Not my chosen colour.
20:49It's a bit difficult because I can't actually see the laser line as I'm cutting it.
20:53So there's a lot of guessing going on.
20:59For a man who doesn't like DIY, he's doing very, very well.
21:05Next, Lionel needs to drill marking holes all the way through.
21:14Oh my goodness, it actually looks like it might be in the right spot.
21:17It's a miracle.
21:18Getting to grips with the angle grinder, Lionel is leaning into his new DIY skills.
21:31When I'm chopping trees, Claire goes all wobbly on me.
21:36Because she likes a good lumberjack.
21:39Is that right, darling?
21:42No, come on. Get back to work.
21:48But unfortunately, it's not long before the enclosed, dust-filled space proves too much.
21:56I can't breathe. I can't see. I can't hear.
22:00It's crazy. People do this for fun.
22:03I feel butch though.
22:07Time to see if all Lionel's hard work has paid off.
22:13Get all you got.
22:17Oh, yeah.
22:19Oh, yeah, yeah.
22:22Shall I go round the other side and do the channel tunnel hand chase?
22:28Yes!
22:30Yes!
22:34Victory!
22:38After a long day's DIYing, the couple decide to finish on a high.
22:44We've made a breakthrough. We've got through the wall.
22:46I thought we might get more done today, but at least we've got a bit through.
22:49We can see that it is possible.
22:54It's definitely possible.
22:55And once the wall is down, Lionel and Claire will need to brace themselves for a first foray into plumbing.
23:11Still to come, Alison and Zion tackle an elaborate ceiling design.
23:17It's like a series of boxes and where does the coving fit in relation to that.
23:23And Lionel and Claire have toilet trouble.
23:27Oh!
23:27Oh!
23:36Back in Western France, Alison and Zion have made huge progress with their second floor guest suite.
23:4486 steps later.
23:46The walls are now fully insulated.
23:49And today's task is to start on their grand plans for the ceiling.
23:55We don't want to have just coving.
23:58And because we're going to have this coffered ceiling and we want to combine the two together.
24:04We're taking the language of the chateau from the dining room downstairs, which is a very grand room, and we're
24:10trying to bring it up here because we love that old, very old chateau sort of ceiling style.
24:17Coffered ceilings are a classic architectural detail consisting of a series of rectangular square or octagonal 3D grids.
24:27It's like a series of boxes that we're putting on the ceiling of the bedroom.
24:33And to get the boxes against the wall, you have to plan to have a...
24:38Like this is the box, if you like, and then this has to fit underneath it to finish off the
24:43decoration of the wall.
24:44That's what we're deciding to do now.
24:46How do we adjust the depth of the boxes and where does the coving fit in relation to that?
24:52So it's quite a challenge to get it right.
24:56How far do you want it there?
24:58Yeah.
25:01Helped by their two on-site labourers, Zion gets to work.
25:07Cut it to one meter sixty.
25:16It's too good to be true.
25:20Meanwhile, Alison has her own beautifying challenge.
25:24These are the original roof structure.
25:29This is working really well.
25:32So a very weak acid of some sort.
25:36And it just takes off the white colouring.
25:41Look at the colour of that wood, isn't that gorgeous?
25:44Goldy.
25:45Yeah.
25:47It's really lovely.
25:48I mean, this is the structure that's 1872 this was put in.
25:52Can you believe it?
25:55With all the boxing in place, the decorative details can be added.
26:01Now we have to cut the coving.
26:04And this is the challenge.
26:07Zion has made the plaster coving himself.
26:10And it's a fragile, nerve-wracking process.
26:14If you get this wrong, you just have to work harder when it's up there.
26:24It's exactly what I wanted.
26:27Let's see if that's what she wanted.
26:31That looks very nice, doesn't it?
26:33Thank you, buddy.
26:34I got what I wanted.
26:35The approval.
26:41It's taken a lot of hard work.
26:43But at last, their dream of a decadent bedroom suite is properly on the horizon.
26:50And now it's like, you know, you put your direction on the sat-nav and it's go.
26:57That's the direction is there.
26:59The sat-nav is working.
27:01Reception is good.
27:03Put your foot down now.
27:04Yeah.
27:05Now we've just got to get there.
27:06Now we've got to arrive.
27:08And with a complicated fireplace to install, bespoke ceiling panelling to create and all the decorating to do,
27:16it's a long and winding road ahead.
27:25Under two and a half hours' drive away, Lionel and Claire are pushing their DIY skills to the limit, creating
27:33a new guest bedroom suite.
27:36So far, we've cut a hole for the new door into the bathroom loo, I suppose it is, isn't it?
27:46And we are going to reposition the loo.
27:51This is going to be our first attempt at plumbing.
27:53We've never done any plumbing before.
28:05Don't ever say I don't give you anything.
28:07Thank you so much. Enjoy your system.
28:10Still full of water.
28:11Right, I'll go get rid of that.
28:17Yeah, that was fairly straightforward, wasn't it?
28:20OK.
28:22Goodbye!
28:24Is that working?
28:24You know what I've got to do? I've got to hold it under the rim.
28:32Oh...
28:33HE LAUGHS
28:37I win!
28:39HE LAUGHS
28:46I've photographed the royals and presidents of the United States.
28:50And now I've found myself removing a toilet.
28:53Toilet's out.
28:54What next?
28:55Uh, floor.
28:56Try and get rid of this floor.
28:58Just rip it up, I hope.
29:00I hope it's not too stuck.
29:02Ooh!
29:02Thankfully, there's a nice wooden floor under there.
29:05Um, under some lino, but it doesn't seem like it's too badly stuck down, so we might be in luck.
29:10It works!
29:15Muscles!
29:17Muscles!
29:19Oh!
29:25The covering has come up reasonably easy, but it seems to be stuck to an old lino floor covering,
29:32which we're hoping is not glued, so we might be OK to reveal the wooden floor underneath.
29:44I don't think it is lino.
29:46I think it's sort of like a self-levelling type stuff, because it's seeped between the floorboards and hardened.
29:53So it's a lot more difficult to get off than lino, but it is get-offable.
29:59It's in really good condition.
30:01Yeah, look at that.
30:01Beautiful.
30:02What we're uncovering is the continuation of the floor in the bedroom.
30:09What's always lovely is to discover something original and that is in good condition,
30:18and the fact that I suppose that you've, you know, that you've managed to do it yourself, which is lovely,
30:23and sort of reinstating the original fabric, part of the original fabric of this building, which is always really a
30:31lovely experience.
30:32The joys of Chateau restoration are being laid bare for Lionel and Clare, but with more plumbing still to tackle,
30:41will their luck run out?
30:49In the Longuedoc, at Tim and Sasha's, they're preparing for the first of two back-to-back weddings.
30:58One has to remember to make each detail perfect, and that's the way I approach every single wedding that we
31:07do.
31:08Yeah, every wedding is individual.
31:10In the newly renovated courtyard, daughter Lily is sticking to the same mantra.
31:16So, right now, we're getting all the tablecloths down, we're going to get the steamer out.
31:21The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, which is exactly what we need.
31:25So, yeah, it's all looking good.
31:29I started at seven.
31:31I've almost finished the wedding arch.
31:33I've done the champagne reception.
31:36Wedding days for us are not what they used to be.
31:38No more late nights.
31:39As soon as we've finished the floristry and everything that Sasha needs to do, we knock off.
31:46Let the kids run the show.
31:48That's it.
31:51With the groom already mingling out in the courtyard...
31:56I haven't a clue what the stress is until it all falls down.
32:00..last-minute flourishes are added to the ceremony arch.
32:09Good.
32:12Before the guests take their seats and bridegroom Luke awaits the love of his life.
32:22After a hug with her grandpa,
32:28Tiara and Luke are ready to make their vows.
32:32All of us have come here to share in the commitment they will make today.
32:36We are especially thankful for the presence of Papi,
32:40who has been a source of strength and love for Tiara.
32:47Behind the scenes, however,
32:49it's all hands on deck as a sudden drop in temperature
32:53means the wedding dinner is now taking place in the wine barn.
32:58You may kiss your bride.
33:13And while the refurbished courtyard isn't warm enough for dinner,
33:18it is the perfect spot for the newlyweds to have their first dance.
33:32Literally any little girl's dream come true.
33:36I feel like a princess. I have my Prince Charming.
33:38It's been amazing. I think it has surpassed our expectations.
33:43Everything went according to plan. It's been perfect.
33:46Perfect.
33:48Work's done today, yeah? Successful.
33:51Another wedding in two days' time.
33:53But this has been great.
33:57The first of their back-to-back weddings has been a glorious success.
34:03Tomorrow a new wedding party will arrive
34:06and the family will have to pull out all the stops
34:09to deliver yet another dream day.
34:17Coming up...
34:18Now is the time to get my hands dirty.
34:21Lionel lays waste to the soil pipe.
34:24It's raining.
34:26And wedding plans are in chaos.
34:30What are we going to do?
34:36Back in Western France, Claire is battling to remove an old floor covering
34:42and expose the original wooden boards in the guest ensuite.
34:47The edges of the floor were coming off really easily,
34:49so I thought this was going to be quite straightforward.
34:51But the middle bit is really thick and really tough,
34:55and now it's taking forever.
34:57Meanwhile, Lionel is down in the bowels of the chateau
35:01on an important mission.
35:04We're now in the corridor which is outside the chapel,
35:07which is directly beneath the bathroom upstairs,
35:10where the soil pipe runs.
35:13You can hear the banging upstairs, and that's Claire banging away.
35:17I need to cut the soil pipe because we're going to move where the toilet is.
35:27I might cut that down there, actually.
35:35Once the surrounding insulation has been removed...
35:43Lionel has to bite the bullet.
35:45Thankfully, I haven't been wearing gloves, but now is the time to get my hands dirty.
36:02Oh, victory approaches.
36:04LAUGHTER
36:06I was a little bit concerned that something might pop out.
36:21Ah, yes! Look!
36:24Oh, hello!
36:26Hello.
36:27Hello, darling.
36:29Well done. Very impressive.
36:30The vistas of our relationship never cease to expand.
36:34I know. Amazing, isn't it?
36:39I think I've got about just over, like, a square metre,
36:42one and a half left to do, but it's just going slower and slower.
36:48Meanwhile, Lionel's next challenge is to remove all the old skirting
36:52and architrave around the doorways in the bedroom, keeping them intact so they can be reused.
37:02Oh, that's nice and easy.
37:05Came off in one piece, no damage, and really quite easy, actually, which is great.
37:14Lionel just has to hope the architrave goes as smoothly.
37:18These are quite chunky, so these would be very, very expensive to replace if they get really badly damaged.
37:37Oh!
37:38Oh, that was satisfying.
37:41One down.
37:44Probably about ten more, ten, twelve to go.
37:49I am getting there. I am not going to let it defeat me.
37:53We got a lot done today.
37:56My favourite job was the removal of the architrave, because it was just so satisfying.
38:03It was wonderful.
38:08Doing that floor has absolutely tested my patience and done me in, and everything hurts now.
38:13But it's going to be worth it, because it's going to look beautiful in there.
38:18However, their dream of an elegant, luxurious guest suite is still a long way off.
38:31Back in the south of France, it's turnaround day for Tim and Sasha.
38:37The second of two back-to-back weddings is due to take place in the Chateau Gardens tomorrow.
38:44But things aren't quite going to plan.
38:48I'm a little bit worried, because my flower delivery hasn't come first thing in the morning.
38:55And we're looking at the afternoon sometime before I can start.
39:00So, um, it's putting me under enormous pressure.
39:04I don't know why this has happened.
39:07Ah!
39:08I think your flowers have just arrived.
39:09The flowers have arrived right this second.
39:11Those are your flowers.
39:15And that's not the only arrival, as the wedding couple, Emily and Gemma, and most of their guests are here.
39:25Hiya.
39:26How are you?
39:27Yeah, yeah.
39:28Hiya.
39:29Lovely to meet you.
39:30How are you?
39:33Meanwhile, Sasha's floral struggles aren't over.
39:37It's bad enough with the flower delivery coming at two o'clock or three o'clock in the afternoon, when
39:45I need it first thing in the morning.
39:48But, oh, gosh.
39:50Then you're faced with this, where six out of ten flowers are damaged.
40:01I'll use them in smaller decorations.
40:04It's just annoying because it slows me down.
40:10And, at the moment, I don't need slowing down.
40:14I need speeding up.
40:18Over in the barn, Luke and Lily are preparing for the evening ahead.
40:24First, Tim hosts a wine tasting for brides Emily and Gemma and their guests.
40:31Good evening, everybody.
40:33Welcome to the south of France.
40:35Bonsoir.
40:35Oh, yeah.
40:36I've forgotten that.
40:37Lived here for 23 years.
40:39My French is rubbish.
40:42And then, karaoke and dancing as they party the night away.
40:54The next morning, it's wedding day, and Sasha has been at it since the crack of dawn.
41:02I seem to have everything to do in the last couple of hours, but I'm used to it.
41:08It'll all come together, and with Tim and Laurent running round, I'll make it.
41:14I think.
41:15I hope.
41:18Tim and handyman Laurent are busy setting up the ceremony on the lawn, but it looks like there's a storm
41:26brewing.
41:27It's raining.
41:33It's not looking good for an outside ceremony.
41:38It's now an hour before the sale.
41:40What are we going to do?
41:42Move into the wine barn?
41:44If we have to.
41:46I think, yeah.
41:46If we have to.
41:47I wait until the last minute.
41:48Yeah.
41:53Thankfully, the waiting game pays off.
41:56It's hot now.
41:58This is crazy.
42:04That looks good.
42:06Right.
42:06I think that's it.
42:07And the guests can at last take their seats for a gloriously sunny garden wedding at the Chateau.
42:23I'm honoured to have been asked to be here today to officiate the marriage between Emily and Gemma, as I
42:29love them both very much.
42:34Soon, vows are exchanged, and the ceremony is complete.
42:39Through no power whatsoever vested in me, I am happy to announce that Emily and Gemma are married.
42:48You may now kiss the bride.
42:53Please stand for your brides and show Gemma Leigh some love.
43:02As the newlyweds skip into married life, the revamped courtyard is all set to host an al fresco wedding dinner.
43:13We're so happy we came to the Chateau.
43:16It's been absolutely amazing.
43:17Everything has been perfect.
43:20Nothing has...
43:21Felt stressful.
43:22Exactly.
43:23Just been so free here, hasn't it?
43:26Yeah.
43:26It's been incredible.
43:27It's been a hectic few days, but Emily and Gemma aren't the only ones counting their blessings.
43:35This Chateau has been able to give us a life that's inventive, creative, and exciting, as well as being our
43:49own home.
43:50And we're very proud of what we've achieved.
43:53Luke and Lily have taken the whole business a step forward, and the old Chateau is looking after all of
44:05us, which is quite wonderful, really.
44:08The family effort to revamp the courtyard has paid off, and the wedding season has been suitably launched in stunning
44:18style.
44:26Next time...
44:27Can I throw you this tape?
44:29..one project is in deep water...
44:35Oh, you are kidding me.
44:38..there's a spooky surprise...
44:41Oh, my God, what's that?
44:42It's a bat.
44:44..and this owner fights a decor war.
44:47Amazing.
44:48It's exactly what I want.
44:51I'm a bit giddy.
44:52Giddy, giddy...
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