How It All Began

Allow me to share the story of Our French Château, a venture that grew from shared dreams and a happy coincidence. I am Arnaud, and I'm pleased to tell you how it all began.

It started in the summer of 2024. My life partner, Isla, had long envisioned a beautiful home in the South of France – a place for her large family to gather joyfully for holidays, and a peaceful retreat for herself, surrounded by nature and warm skies. As it happened, this dream resonated deeply with a childhood fantasy of my own: to live in a château, sharing it with friends and family. After many conversations, we decided I would take on the search for suitable properties of various sizes, depending on the budget her siblings could contribute to this exciting project.

My role as a contractor, having recently finished a mission, gave me the flexibility for this task. Being French, I also had a natural advantage in navigating the property market in my homeland.

And so, I began exploring the major property portals, meticulously comparing the châteaux on offer. The search quickly became quite absorbing – a passion evidently shared by many, given the sheer number of château tours on YouTube and their vast viewership. After a few months of dedicating several hours each day to this quest, we had our first list of promising properties. Following the necessary arrangements with estate agents, we embarked on a whirlwind week in October 2024, viewing nine châteaux. We made sure to capture video footage of each, an invaluable resource for recalling details later. Back in England, we carefully analysed and compared each property against our criteria.

Our focus then shifted to meticulous financial planning for the top three contenders, considering acquisition costs, projected renovation expenses, and their commercial potential. The New Year ushered in January 2025, and with it, a second trip to view more châteaux, followed by the same diligent process of analysis and comparison. We also met several château owners successfully balancing private enjoyment with commercial viability, hence confirming it is entirely feasible to acquire a château and ensure it is financially self-sustaining, potentially even generating income.

This insight, born from our extensive search and the experiences of others, led to a pivotal reflection: "So many people dream of a holiday home in France. Could it be that some would prefer the unique charm and rich experience that only a château can offer?"

And that brings us to today – and to you, having found us. We warmly invite you to share your aspirations. It's very likely we can help you find the château of your dreams, whether for your own enjoyment or as a shared legacy with family and friends.