VISIT THE MOST RARELY SEEN PARTS OF THE CHATEAU!

Join me for a private tour of the most rarely seen parts of the chateau - the cellar, the chicken house, and our 'secret courtyard'! During the course of filming the vlog we come up with very exciting ideas for the future of the Secret Courtyard - let me know what you think of them!
I'm delighted to welcome you into my home, and to take you on a personal tour. There's so much to see that I've had to split the tour into several parts. This week I'll show you the cellar and a previously unvlogged part of the property!
It's the moment we've all been waiting for - a full tour of the Chateau de Lalande! I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to do this, but I never felt that the chateau was fully ready! But I've realised that I'll always feel that way, and part of the beauty of a historic home like this is that it's always a work in progress. Restoring Lalande is the creative passion of my life ❤️🏰❤️
Escape to the chateau with ’The Chateau Diaries’ 🏰
This weekly vlog follows the adventures of chatelaine Stephanie in her French 16th century home, the Chateau de Lalande, in the heart of rural France ❤️
A very special thank you to all of you who have become Patrons of the Chateau de Lalande. As you can imagine, your help means more to me now than ever. Because of you, I'll be able to keep living at Lalande and making videos even though our chambres d'hotes income has been decimated by the coronavirus. I’ve been overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity, On behalf of this beautiful chateau that will continue to survive and flourish because of you, thank you!!!
If you're interested in become a Patron of The Chateau Diaries, click here: / thechateaudiaries

[@ankn4315]

Would love a video showing “before” photos from when you first purchased the chateau!

[@michellezevenaar]

What about replacing the tennis court with a swimming pool (no chlorine if possible) and make the entire area into a spa area! Sauna(s), showers, pool, hot tub, massage room, lounge chairs, ornamental gardens, a beautiful relaxing space with the soft relaxing sound of the forest to give guests a relaxing experience.

[@TheFiown]

The arched stones above the lintel is an old building device to aleviate the weight on the lintels, they are not meant to be seen as arches. You see this on many old buildings. It's a weight distribution technique.

[@jeffreycooper8408]

That may be the most interesting fact I learnt in the last 6 months - thank you !!

[@telfordrunners3254]

agree

[@evmcelroy]

Interesting!

[@karinbergman1646]

Yes, the corbelled vaulting is an excellent way of distributing weight and was also used in construction of archways. Beautiful find!

[@DenisPeel]

Yes they are called relieving arches, usually hidden by render.

[@nickdamon2721]

The room in the ground under the granite stairs with the stone basin with the sand is a root cellar for storing potatoes, carrots, apples etc. for the winter.

[@LaiminaS]

@thechateauDaries it is amazing to think that only in two years time: the China pantry is on its way, the Narnia has been burn, all the chapel windows has been changed, there will be a real swimming pool, Nathie has moved in and will have her own apartment, you fond a 18 century wood paneling, the woods are cleared behind the Chapel, the downstairs toilet is done, the gardens have been structured and will continue to change and lots of lots of other things! Cheers to you Stephanie and your big dreams, you are one amazing dreamer and person! With lots of love Laima

[@marioula05]

Stefanie at 12:19 that is a discharging arch. It is built to take off the superincumbent weight. You have to talk to an engineer that specializes in restorations.

[@wwpajerocat7292]

Yes this is called a relieving arch and is often used to distribute the weight of the masonry wall, and the roof that bears on it to either side of an opening so that the lintle only has to carry the masonry directly above it

[@18daisydoll65]

mariell cool 😎

[@annemackenzie7295]

It’s wonderful that many of your dreams are coming true Stephanie ❤ Hopefully with the support of your patrons we will see lots of your visions being realised 🥰

[@triciaphillips4271]

I think there's another hidden cellar somewhere. A chateau as big as La Lande would have had a much huger cellar. They should do a cellar hunt.

[@sunnygirl87]

Certainly! Our old house had a 2 level cellar.

[@tulipwindmill]

i agree,unless it was removed during renovations.

[@rozannaherring1578]

@@sunnygirl87 So maybe they should look at the floor rather than the walls for a possible entrance. How exciting it would be to find a secret cellar on another level.

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

Yeah and maybe even a bunker from the war id think the smartest spots to look would be a metal detector for the old iron on a latch or keyhole nails around the garden area often root cellars were inside the walled garden juat for efficiency & maybe the woods arouns the chateau id imagine finding an exit to a tunnel near the old mill or out away from the main house if there is one would be easier than an entrance since the exit would be easily hidden by nature but the entrance inside wouldve been something theyd want to be extremely well hidden from everyone so that on the occasion that they had to flee the main person who knew could send their loves ones through and buy time or completely avoid it being found at all. I hope before the lake is refilled that they go through it with a metal dectector as well stephanie might find sime of those jewels shes been looking for haha

[@robinbirdj743]

I was in a medieval house next to a castle in Germany and it had 3 separate, arched cellars. They were dug out by hand. Sometimes they’d have been longer, skinny cellars and may have been filled in partway (at the back).

[@wendyrichardson7701]

We all need to group together and plan a trip to the Chateau! We could all stay in huge tents at the edge of the woods and help with the renovations! Imagine what we could all get done in just a few weeks! What fun we would all have!

[@tgrams4201]

I really enjoy the mummy “I’ve been looking for this for quite some time” portions of the vlogs :)

[@eedd.]

ive always been curious about her mother's accent. i thought they were english? so why does her mother have a french- like accent while speaking english?

[@emmacath3668]

ed I believe her mother is French and her father was English

[@yurisakamaki7469]

@@eedd. her mother is french, she speaks in perfect french at 26:54 I was so surprised when I heard that! Before that, I hadn't noticed that she was French despite being French myself 😂

[@yurisakamaki7469]

@@WyrdHag I think it comes from her part french heritage. In France, even grown adults use the word "maman", which is considered as very sweet, and it could be translated as "mummy". So rather than being overacting or posh, she's just using a french way of expressing herself while using english words. It happens very often in bilingual/bicultural family.

[@grumio101]

The way you talk about transforming that courtyard just makes me want to come and do all the restoration for you, despite very limited to non-existent DIY skills! How hard can it be to dig out a swimming pool...!?

[@barbibutton9619]

Ha!!

[@JeanineMarieCompassion]

I am sitting at my desk in Arizona doing my therapist paperwork and am wearing a dress similar to Stephanie's. It is so nice to be transported to beautiful LaLande with my beautiful virtual friends. I love these videos so much!! Love to all

[@RWMoortgat]

Stephanie is so charismatic that if instead of sharing her beautiful chateau with us she was saying "and now I will show you the dungeon where you will spend the next 20 years on bread and water" I'd still be into it. Thanks for the awesome videos Steph! You're an inspiration :)

[@jessicathespy]

the sand is probably where the winter vegetables woul have been stored

[@LizzieDeanMakes]

I was going to suggest carrot and beetroot storage too xx

[@faithbooks7906]

This is exactly what I thought. It's a cold storage cellar.

[@barbibutton9619]

Can u store eggs too?

[@TheLandOfJonny]

Yep my husband is a gardener and he said the same :)

[@jessicathespy]

@@barbibutton9619 no in that capacity eggs store best in slightly cool conditions but if you bury your root begetables and squashes in cool dry sand they can last most the winter

[@carnation6827]

A reason to dress up! I’m picturing an Alice in Wonderland themed crocket game!👑❤️🐇⏱🎩☕️

[@300books]

That would be great to watch, with all the Lalande inhabitants dressed as Alice in Wonderland characters. I think Stephanie should be Alice, Selmar could be the Mad Hatter, Mummy as the Queen of Hearts (but a sweet one), Antoine as the Cheshire cat with his nice smile. Well, you get the idea.

[@kimcrofoot8517]

I have become so addicted to your videos! It strikes me that, while I love seeing all the different parts of the chateau, the interplay between the people you have surrounding you is a big part of what draws me in. You are a lucky woman to have such a supportive group of people in your life. Well, in fact, your all lucky to have each other.

[@denisemarle4141]

I can understand why Michael Potts can see that area all glassed in, looking out onto woods, well it's just magical and serene. So glad Mummy is getting her tractor, can't wait to see her zooming over the lawn! I think Selmar can work his magic on that beautiful old garden bench, it would look wonderful restored.

[@charliebrown5755]

One thing that I have noticed about the trees at Lalande , they are covered in ivy and that is a very bad thing because it will kill the trees over time . Cut it at the base of the tree . This is something that can be done very easily and save your beautiful trees

[@JH-sp5my]

Yes, very true. I mentioned this a few videos ago. It is very important to cut that ivy. It is going to kill all of the trees it grows on.

[@npull]

Ivy is native to Europe and generally does not harm the trees here. There is a delicate balance that has been established in its natural environment, and many species are dependant on it, where it grows in the woodlands here the biodiversity is thriving. In North America it is invasive and can do much damage however.

[@charliebrown5755]

@@npull it is not good for the tree and it is ugly

[@npull]

@@charliebrown5755 Whether it's ugly or not is subjective. I for one does not agree with you on that. Either way I don't think you should meddle with a woodlands ecosystem just because you find an eyesore. If this was in N.America where this plant actually cause problems, then it would've been another story. Here's a good article explaining some misconceptions about ivy; www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141008-why-should-i-love-ivy

[@charliebrown5755]

@@npull ivy damages bark on a tree and weakens the tree just because you live in Europe doesn't mean you know what your talking about

[@eledatowle7128]

Retired nurses are indeed brave and intrepid souls! My mother is one as well, and is just as likely to be found running the backhoe or sawmill as gardening or painting. We are lucky girls indeed to have such great role models!

[@eileeng2492]

Hi I'm Eileen and I'm a chateaux diaries addict. Anyone else?

[@Jayrose59]

Oh Yes!!!!

[@theresaromero2855]

Absolutely!

[@adalineproulx9773]

Me too 🤗🥰

[@endeavouringit]

yes

[@patrocinioadvincula7176]

Ditto, here!

[@birdman9265]

Love the dress, Stephanie! Your outfit is always on point

[@robert3302]

Yes, just watching Stephanie is a joy. She is so lovely and elegant without ever being fussy or overdone. She is the perfect chatelaine, pure class personified.

[@ReaderandWriter.]

If you havent go back to the first video she has ever posted and watch every single one. Binge it like a Netflix show. Watch all ads!!! Like the videos as well. Get her and Michael at Doing It Ourselves the money they deserve.

[@leslietimematrix]

Did it already and wishing there were more to watch 😂

[@ReaderandWriter.]

@@leslietimematrix there is Chateau Life as well. If you don't know about them already. Michael and Stephanie have been over there as you know. :)

[@antoniaswift3995]

We bought a 250 year old Colonial home in New Hampshire and have an almost identical basin in our cellar. We were told that it was for storing root vegetables by one person but someone else said it was for storing blocks of ice that they would cut from the pond across the way. It does have a drainage hole at the bottom so I am inclined to think it was for that. Loved the tour. Thank you both.

[@thill1797]

i have discovered your channel just before lockdown and I am hooked. I love to see and hear you dream and all of it making it come true. Your video make me want to dream a little more and remind me to stay creative. Thank you for your ray of sunshine.

[@germaineholmes2247]

I too found Sephanie at the beginning of lockdown. Not only has it been a lockdown tonic but kept me going until i could get to my own place in France. The sale went through in march 2020 and we couldn't get there. So 6 super weeks in summer were spent there before we had to return. Sephanie has kept me going. Of course my little place isn't a château but was built in 1785 so plenty of history.

[@micheleyamamoto545]

Stephanie, I kept thinking that area by the tennis courts would make a good spot for a pool...and then you realized it too!

[@robert3302]

The ivy on the trees is beautiful, but it is very bad for the trees. I saw one that is definitely dead. You should put one of your volunteers to work as a forester to remove the ivy, cut down the dead trees and remove the fallen ones. You have a lot of good lumber and firewood in there without touching the live trees. And of course, Mummy could mow some nice paths. You might even want to build a gazebo or summer house in there.

[@sophialondon3704]

I check here everday to see if there's a new video. 😊

[@Taraclellandjones]

Me too

[@Liza03V]

me too😂😂😂😂

[@francespietri824]

Same 🤣

[@Liza03V]

@@francespietri824 we became Lalande holics.😂😂😂😂

[@sheep1ewe]

Yes!

[@apezz3949]

I love your videos and you and your little “family” of people living at your beautiful château!! Thank you for allowing us these virtual visits, they’re absolutely lovely! One day we shall have to come to your BnB!

[@TheGranti7a]

Wintering over for roots or bulbs? How fascinating it would be to discover any original "blueprints" and who the first architect of the chateau may have been. Idea: prioritize one or two "dream" ideas as contributions to quality of life in the process of restorations. You'll easily be your Mother's age before Lalande ever gets close to giving back it's original life- restored. I vote that your secret courtyard area in total deserves moving to the top of your 'to do' list. 👍🏼❤️👍🏼

[@anneforster510]

Love seeing all these hidden areas. It is a huge place. Thank you for filming so many vlogs during lockdown ,they have kept me sane. 💟💟💟

[@Ejlrstn]

Love double Chateau Friday’s with you and @DoingitOurselves 💛💛

[@dmes]

Thank’s again for taking us on the 30 minute happy and positive journey, I know you probably don’t read most of the comments anymore but today I received the Patreon card, it’s lovely (and smells really nice), thanks a lot Steph, it’s a small treasure 🙂

[@lynnemarkell7518]

I just had to reply to your comment because it triggered what happened yesterday. I had visited my daughter and returned home 10 hours later and promptly picked up my mail. As I was unlocking my door, I smell a man's cologne. It scared me because no one was around and my house has been broken into before. So naturally I'm thinking someone may be in my home. Not until I read your comment that it triggered the memory of Stephanie spraying the cards with scent. I got up to smell the card and it's the man's cologne I recognized from yesterday!🤣

[@TheDoozer52]

Brilliant again, I could just hug your Mummy, she is such a darling, and so very funny. Love watching these, see you Sunday! xxx Doreen

[@dearmaria4654]

If this was a different channel they would've put drama and horror stories in it but your perspective of the beautiful architecture of the chateau and how you want to restore it to its former glory is just refreshing to see. You give us joy just by featuring these spaces that were forgotten by time.

[@susanbrown2909]

The tennis court just needs a new surface.. Such a beautiful place ,and Thor calling out in the grounds. The woods are relaxing...

[@telfordrunners3254]

and I'll be playing there whole day in summer

[@charlottewilson1838]

Oh no I have discovered chateau KZbin and I cannot get enough, I am in love! Your chateau is an absolute dream, I may have teared up a bit through out this video as I truly love your passion for this place and can already feel how the space makes you fall in love with every moment you spend with it (I am beginning to think the same can be said about virtual moments!). A new very important life goal of mine would be to come work with you to restore some of the chateau if I ever got the chance, you mention volunteers coming to stay and work with you, oh my gosh what a pleasure that would be! You and your mother are so sweet and bring such joy to your videos! Hope you are all well, though I highly doubt you’ll see this message, I send my admiration all the same!

[@katebeemakes]

J’adore entendre Mummy parler en français! Là où je suis, il n’y a pas beaucoup de francophones. Ça me fait du bien d’entendre ma langue maternelle 😊

[@chucksuter6551]

That tennis court is by no means too far gone. It could easily be leveled by a concrete company and the net replaced, and canvas nets put up around it on the Cain link, repaint the lines on the court... and then it would completely usable

[@TwizyMan]

Please please, not concrete, it needs a proper, all weather court, shale, surface as it had originally, see my main comment.

[@ruelcrisdelosreyes4274]

The Lalande League!!! can't wait :D watching every day here all the way from the Philippines!

[@almirajustinemiranda448]

Kala ko ako lang ang pinoy na nanunuod 😁

[@ruelcrisdelosreyes4274]

@@almirajustinemiranda448 interesado din ako sa mga old buidlings, palace, castles kaya ako napadpad dito :)

[@emmanuelfacon1492]

present

[@ashie2993]

Nice nice!!! Akala ko din ako lang! Team PH! HAHAHA

[@gardenglam3451]

I love all these unseen places. I can see your vision of what they will become--probably sooner than you think! Thank you for being an excellent host and tour guide. My grandparents had a cellar basement in their old stone house. We used to love playing down there in the dark with the dirt floor. They kept their vegetables and apples in large bins and that kept them over the winter when they would be used. Kerry Lynn from 🇨🇦

[@francespietri824]

Was not expecting a new vid today! Lalande time starts now 😎

[@seamoonsees]

Your Mummy's room could certainly do well with a balcony. It makes me so nervous when I see her standing there in that huge open window with no safety rail.

[@Sgirl]

@@AndrogynousMIE Well you're a ray of sunshine 😏

[@Sgirl]

@@AndrogynousMIE And that would have been the kind way to state your case, minus the two unneeded mentions of the word "ugly". Stephanie seems like a kind, genuine person who has invited you into her world to show you around her home. She reads these comments. If you were a guest being shown around someone's home, would you say "Ew, that's ugly" if you came upon something that was not to your liking? You are interacting with the actual owner here. Find some tact. There's no need to be rude and nasty.

[@mishl4329]

I love your beautiful blue dress. You are always impeccably dressed but this blue frock is my favourite so far!

[@debrafreake4759]

Michelle Lewis I agree! Wondering what the brand is.

[@piwbautista2286]

Three things that are making me watch more of your videos: 1. Lalande 2. You of course! Watching and listening to your way of detailing everything in Lalande, reminds me of the authors of books ive read. Cant see but because of the detail, i am transported in every way. In you, feels like ive been there in the chateu real time. Thanks! 3..lastly, Mummy. I love how you loved you Mum so much. Thats how i adore my Mum too. And i miss her everday. We dont live together now because i already have a family. And home is far away. Seeing your mum, reminds me of my mum. Cuteness and very adorable. Thank you!

[@bigboy77dk]

You should make the pool look like an old reflecting pond... with a fountain in the middle 😍

[@TheKatherine1958]

What beautiful land the chateau is on! I’d love to see it in person one day but I’m in California and have never left the US. 😞 Your “Mummy” is just so pretty and adorable! Thank you for sharing. 🤗

[@TXBULL195]

I love the tour and nothing wrong with seeing the Chateau grounds as you want them. When I did a restoration of an American Estate decades ago I kept the idea of in my mind because sometimes it feels like a lot but you can chip away and one day it is done.

[@risalangdon9883]

Yes! I am anxiously awaiting to see what is behind the two doors under the terrace! lol. Michael had given us a peek in one of his videos. Cannot wait.

[@debschmude2476]

Hi I an Debbie from Wisconsin USA. The door on the upper level of your barn is where the hay was lifted into the barn. It would have been lifted off the hay wagon loose. Very large hay tongs on the end of a rope would be pulled up to the hay to the mow with rope and pully. One person pulls the hay up. Second person in the hay mow pulled the hay in and released it. I spent 20 years as a dairy farmer. Some farms still use this style today. Also, I believe the beams in the wine cellar that were on the floor held the barrels of wine that were aging and waiting to be bottled. I hope my comments help!

[@kiransekhon1506]

How incredible would it be if there was another hidden cellar in the chateau?

[@mathildetailler2657]

i can't believe how many videos you post everyweek ! it's a pleasure to watch every time =) thank you !!!!

[@davidlalande]

I knew there was a reason I prefer ciders. Runs in the family.

[@davidlalande]

You should definitely get a saltwater pool if you put one it.

[@michellemarkham1816]

So much easier to maintain! I loved my pool after we switched to a salt water system

[@gigilarsen]

Yes! We switched from salt water to chlorine and have had nothing but trouble since :(

[@wwpajerocat7292]

Or just divert some water from the lake?

[@marybethmorrison]

Yes! It's easier to swim in, and it doesn't sting the eyes and nose like chlorine.

[@iamcillamusic]

OMG! imagine wine by Lalande vineyard! have you ever thought about having one?

[@jgrady9553]

Love to see these parts of the chateau-so much history in layers there. The height of the room with the wine cage doesn't look right, wonder if there is a sub-cellar entrance under those old beams and dirt? Also, most homes would have had an entrance from the kitchen to the cellar. I agree that the 'sandbox' was most likely for root crops or endive in the winter, it might have also have been an in-house well in the earliest days( we had a well that looked very similar in the lowest level of our old barn).

[@sherlytle1057]

Pray you realize how blessed you both are getting to do/film this amazing journey together! My mom died when I was 13. Missed out on a lifetime of "togethers". Food for thought. God bless 💘

[@jdowsett1]

Oh wow a perfect spot for a lovely pool❣️ Before you know it Stephanie you will have enough patrons who help you reach that dream✨Such gorgeous grounds. Mummy your banana bread looks delicious 😋 Have a beautiful weekend xx

[@kimberlypfleuger4261]

Thinking that basin with sand in it was used to store root veggies.. most likely carrots...

[@raphaella29]

I want to compliment you Stephanie, for always being beautifully dressed, shoes and all for all of your adventures in the chateau, no matter where they take you. Today you were the elegant and well appointed Indiana Jones going to bat ridden cellars, chicken coops, etc........ with her just as adventurous "mummy!

[@mariagillinson8527]

What a beautiful place you’ve given your mum at this time of her life!

[@darlenevm]

Thank you so much, Stephanie! I can’t tell you how much I have loved and appreciate the tours of the chateau. These are definitely my favorite videos of all time!!!

[@trinitystarclararose7118]

Hello Stephanie, Clara Rose here always enjoy your vlogs. You’re such a delight. That is the root cellar This is where they stored their potatoes, 🍎 and vegetables for the winter.I believe it isn’t the main cellar. There must be a hidden or sealed entrance to the main cellar. I would ask the original owners. Maybe, they know something about it. Could be hidden treasure in that cellar. Your ideas are great! I can envision all that for you. some of the comments are very interesting and lucrative. I don’t know about the glass would be hot in the summer. Creating an open air yoga Greek temple studio with a pool a tennis court and Jacuzzi all that sounds amazing and achievable. Would love to visit your chateaux with my family in the future. Love from Canada🍄🌻

[@mjgoingplaces8111]

Somehow La Lande has become more enchanting! I can see your vision Stephanie and it would be magnificent! 💕😊

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

I love the vibe and energy she always puts off. Quite uplifting to watch these.

[@sabelatorres192]

Thanks for sharing all of this Stephanie. Your videos are so entertaining

[@lyndabartholomew2599]

Always look forward to time spent with you and Mommy! A happy part of my day! Mommy reminds me of me...! Thank you !

[@willowdowns6782]

Oh Stephanie I’m loving your beautiful flowing floral dresses you have been wearing lately. Your vlog is a joyful part of my week. Di from West Australia.

[@gaisaunders638]

I would love to know where the dress is from. It is so nice (Also from WA)

[@mariannek4593]

Hello Willow, it is a zara dress, I think still available now.

[@mariannek4593]

@Natalie 1234 your welcome! Have a great day.

[@deborrastrom8559]

I love the old stonework in all the back buildings. I love Stephanies visions...lovely. Lol.

[@risalangdon9883]

Yay!! Love seeing the hidden areas! One's imagination can just go crazy with how things were ages ago. And how they can be.

[@michaelmarshall9090]

This was the most interesting tour of the chateau. It is nice to see the decorated areas but seeing the rough yet to be areas are most rewarding. Looks like you need a person the mow all the time in keeping the grass cut around the chateau and create mowed paths through the woods for walks. I believe it is Michael Potts that likes to swim in the moat so I was thinking it would be nice to create steps down the bank on both sides of the bridge directly in front of the ends of the wings. Also, you could create a paved seating area at the top of the steps and perhaps someday put in jet fountains in the middle on each side of the bridge.

[@kathleendickey3293]

Mummy is adorable! She is a treasure! I live (for ski season) in the Rhône - Alps area and hoping to visit one day!

[@jovitacastillo6957]

You all just make my day much happier! I Love you 💕😘

[@heidim6468]

You could just walk us around this Chateau forever and we would love it.

[@HollyRose1529]

One day, that wine cave with be spectacular! 🍷🍾

[@thomashiggins1466]

We enjoy your videos so much! The basin with the sand is for root vegetable storage during Winter, my Granny had a similar setup in her basement. Cheers from the USA!

[@chunkychinn]

You are so lucky Stephanie., and to have such a supportive, loving and capable Mum. I look forward to watching more of your lovely videos. Bon chance. Xx

[@mcharlie260]

Was this a tour or a hunt for Mummy's gardening tools 😂😂

[@denniscampeau6577]

Thank you for these early posts, I’m loving seeing the early visions as the foundation of the most fascinating project with the most charming and positive chatelaine possible Stephanie you are truly a marvel! I hope one day I can come to visit. This is my absolute favourite u tube show. I can’t get enough ! ❤

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

Absolutely splendid. The grounds are so incredibly enchanting, even in their current state. It is so easy to envision the past. I see the the pigs, I see Victorians swimming and rowing in the lake, Victorian women and children picnicking on the lawn on the first warm spring day as the men get on playing crochet, a courtyard full of lamp lit carriages as they arrive with soiree guests wearing their finest, greenery draped from every window with candle illuminating them in the days leading up to Christmas, One item to tackle right away is what appears to be asbestos roofing and siding on the wood shed. Then a few trucks worth of proper colored pebbles for the courtyard. Perhaps the granite cobbles are hiding just beneath the current layer covering the courtyard. Wouldn't that be a treat to find. I've only just begun my introduction to this channel. So far its been quite wonderful. I anticipate many more hours, days, weeks, and possibly months of exciting finds in the other videos. Like all viewers I adore mommy. Although I do share your pain of having a mother who, despite how good her intentions may be, is always hovering and telling me I am doing it wrong. Like you,, I can't quite match her skills or knowledge. And never tell her she's made a mistake. Parisienne mothers "never make mistakes". They simply choose to do it differently this time "as an experiment"..... Right! Hahaha Thank you for sharing. Cheers!

[@blueberryeyes9616]

I love mummy! She's so cool! I wonder how young she is because she looks AMAZING and she's SO fit! xo

[@TheBabs000]

What!? 😮 Absolutely shocking! ❤️ I would like a video on her secrets to beautiful aging. 🙏

[@barbibutton9619]

@@prrr446 awww; she's doing great. My mom is 87 and only recently had slowed down. Hope that's the way I will be, too. I hate being still and like mommy, am in my garden, even in the rain

[@stephaniemedina1848]

Your mother is a treasure and you are darling thank you for another interesting inspiring tour God bless 🐱🐥🌞🌷🌹🌈

[@FeydaWeye]

Sand is often used to cover fruits or root veggies to keep mice from eating them. Put tissue paper or paper towels around fruit to keep them from touching each other so they don't spoil each other. Keep potatoes and onions away from each other or they rot each other. Keep carrots and turnips in ground covered with thick layers of straw. They are safe if kept covered all winter. Is there a spring house around? An ice house would likely be a shed with thick walls with saw dust or some such to cover layers of cut blocks to insulate it. The small storage area might hold Crocks or barrels of pickled foods like pickles, kraut, salted fish or meats. Check other buildings too because way back, kitchens were in separate buildings to keep main house safe from fire.

[@mikeolsen6284]

Hi Stephanie.We love following your videos on the restoration of your your beautiful Chateau.You show great passion in telling the history of this building and at the same time the fun you all have in the day to day life even if their is a lot of hard work in front of you.You have all done a lot of fantastic work so far and it inspires my wife and i in our own project of a 350 year old stone house and garden on the island of Brac in Croatia.I am from New Zealand but moved to Norway with my children 15 years ago and met my Norwegian wife 4 years ago.We were married in the old fishing town of Postira on Brac (the town where we have our house project)Like you we are very passionate about restoring old buildings and love the charm of old buildings.I am a builder and my wife is a interior designer and we both had the same dream long before we met each other and that was to live a different life than most people like you do in France.We did initially look at old houses in France but found by accident whilst on summer holiday in Croatia a beautiful old abandoned stone house from the 1600's with a beautiful old overgrown garden and a small old chapel right beside the house.We have come quite far with the restoration but unfortunatly work has stopped up at present because of lockdown.We both love your vlogs and both often talk about maybe taking some time free sometime to visit Your Chateau as an inspiration and also both of us would love to offer you our services as a volunteer.We would both love to visit your home and see in person your fabulous work on this beautiful old building.Keep up the great work.Mike and Gina.😁😁

[@Jayrose59]

Where are you from in new zealand?

[@mikeolsen6284]

@@Jayrose59 I am originally from Miramar in Wellington.I moved to Norway 15 years ago.Are you from New Zealand also?

[@Jayrose59]

@@mikeolsen6284 Yes. Mainly lived in Hamilton but now in Upper Hutt. My brother spent 30 years living in Mirimar!!

[@mikeolsen6284]

@@Jayrose59 What was his name if you dont mind me asking.?

[@Jayrose59]

@@mikeolsen6284 Murray Scott. Used to live in Aparimu Ave and work for the National Bank in town.

[@ericduffield524]

Magnifique vidéo! C'est amusant de voir les zones secrètes du château. Quand vous avez dit "porcherie", j'ai imaginé le prochain nouveau projet 🐷 Cheers 🥂 - Eric in Illinois, USA

[@monikastuckey8737]

Your Mother’s smile warms the heart

[@janetg1691]

As always a joy to watch. Thank you!

[@janetthomas6670]

Very elegant outfit for cellar exploring. There is so much space in the Chateau. Thanks again to you and Mummy.

[@sharonheffernan9551]

Love seeing all the hidden areas, you have so many wonderful ideas for them.

[@lynnieloungelizard4587]

So many spaces! Your vision is amazing!

[@christinevr7698]

When you showed the little secret courtyard/tennis court, and the pond, I thought immediately of perhaps one day creating a natural swimming pool. A natural swimming pool is almost like a pond but it has shallow channels built into the sides with plants etc that naturally clean the water (so no chemical treatments etc), although I think it does require a pump to circulate the water... it’s worth considering as it’s very natural and eco friendly and relatively maintenance free. Those little outbuildings beside the tennis court /pool would be a lovely pool house:change room/washroom or even a gym room/shed for bicycles to borrow for a ride on the country roads. With a renovated tennis court - it would truly be delightful area for everyone to use from guests to resident’s for summery athletic pursuits. Probably won’t happen for year’s, if ever, but wouldn’t it be lovely!!

[@flowergalpower2681]

I really enjoy watching your videos. I can live my dream through them.

[@Madisondmclean]

The cellar is the pantry of my dreams! 😍😍😍

[@kridder1018]

I just want to say that I adore your mummy! She is so sweet, and beautiful. I also love your property. Thank you for all these tours, I love them.

[@Lea-bw9wj]

the long room you went into that leads onto the bread oven with the blocked up door would look lovely with a long communal table in it. one door leads to the bread oven and the other would lead to the court yard. I wouldn't enlarge the windows in the room because it's so beautiful you'd want to be outside all the time. it would be a perfect cosy place at night.

[@Randy8923]

Enjoyed. Your plans are amazing for the pool and tennis area. I just know it will happen in time. I love your passion for this beautiful piece of history.

[@Toodle.Pipp001]

Love your dress, for some reason Celia Birtwell popped into my head. Keep dreaming big, it's the first step to reality ❤️

[@jeanburgin160]

So much fun to explore the cellar and grounds of the Chateau ... I think the stone shelf in the cellar was a root cellar for the Chateau. Perfect I would install hardware cloth (small mess strong wire) to keep the bats out of that space yet it would still allow the air to flow. Thank you for sharing!

[@barbibutton9619]

I loved mommy's blouse & colours. Perfect for her skin tone and the weather

[@helenahopkinson381]

The Chateau is full of hidden gems such beauty in the woodland. Thank you both for sharing your home with us it is much appreciated.

[@lianegordon971]

Hi Stephanie. We have a tennis court on our property as well. Yours is in better condition than ours! We have an old clay court that is very thin on the clay and has lots of tree roots creeping across. We call our tennis 'extreme tennis' because like your tennis court - you never know where the ball will go! We also don't have any fence around our court. So if you hit the ball off the court it goes into the bush! Or the other hazard we used to have was our dog Archer. He would race to get the ball and then run away with it. Being surrounded by large trees it also gets covered in leaves. When we first moved to this property we started clearing off all the leaves, twigs and branches. After a while we started to think 'how many wheel barrows of muck will we remove?' From the time we started counting it was 70! My husband brought me a blower vac and now every school holidays ( I am a teacher) I do the cleaning of the tennis court. I am never going back to removing wheel barrow after wheel barrow of leaf matter. From memory it took 4 of us a week to clear. So I enjoyed hearing about your tennis court. We too dream about one day when our court will be pristine clay again with a fence. Always on the look out for nice straight trees that are not too thick (diameter) to put aside as the posts. Like you, one day it will happen. Like you we have a whole pile of other jobs to get down first. What I can recommend is playing bocce on the court. If you play sideways on the court it is about the right length. Multipurpose then!

[@beautifulwave1346]

Love your dress! Thanks for this tour of the rarely seen parts of the chateau :)