Young couple transforms old Loire cave in unique home/rental

Alexis Lamoureux was looking for affordable housing for himself and his girlfriend Lotte van Riel when he rediscovered his great aunt’s old troglodyte home for sale by the local government in Amboise, France.
It had been abandoned for 35 years and in danger of collapse so the young couple picked it up for very little. Unable to get a bank loan, they decided to do as much of the work as possible themselves and to continue working (Lamoureux as a bartender) to pay for others to do the structural work.
Over the following four years, Lamoureux and van Riel- both previously inexperienced in the trades- learned to plumb, wire, and tile and created a stunning, modern cave home. “We were lucky enough to have a project and focus on it so all the money we had we just invested it in the place,” explains Lamoureux. Adds van Riel, “We stopped traveling, we just worked, worked, worked.”
When they finished their own home, they turned a second cave on the property, at one time used to store coal- into a nightly rental.
/ amboisetroglodyte
Original story: faircompanies.com/videos/youn...

[@philiq18]

There's something to be said about building your own house (shelter). It's one of the greatest feelings of accomplishment you can ever have. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful space.

[@annalamber5341]

Ok

[@00inwiththenew00]

I disagree. I HATE renovating & DIY, but I am okay with hiring people to do the work. Honestly, DIY it makes me resentful of the space because I remember all of the frustrations & problems.

[@johanna2059]

This couple put so much work into their home, going by the before and after pictures. It was a Labour of love and it shows, it's a beautiful home for a beautiful couple.

[@fourtails1192]

Such a great idea and what a lovely couple..I wish them many happy years in their fantastic home.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Wow! What a labor of love! Great union of local talent with traditional skills and cutting edge "troglodyte" technology. Thank you for yet another great video.

[@madge3628]

I admire this young couple thinking outside the box, restoring a cave with all the amenities for a comfortable home, bravo!

[@rodmoyes2235]

Very inspiring. Not that I'll have a cave but I think the dedication, skill and belief apply to any dwelling.

[@keeperofthegood]

I would happily live the life of modern day Flintstones! HAHA they sound amazed how well the wood stove heats the home. When I was little, growing up, at my late great aunts home before she got a furnace installed it was normal ritual to stoke the wood stove in the kitchen at 4 am. To get the bread dough rising and by 5 to get the bread baking and by 6am having hot fresh bread in the warmed house. When it was -18C/0F and colder outside, you shivered a lot to get the wood stove refired but once it did all three floors of the home were more than comfortable.

[@cynthiahofer2903]

Hard work and visualization pays off. I like that they used recycled material. Beautiful.

[@abovetheflood862]

I like how they updated the home but kept it fitting with the traditional French village style of the surrounding neighborhood, with local stone-masonry etc. A lot of these builds they renovate the homes to an ultra-modern style which can be nice on its own but always seems out of place when surrounded by historical buildings.

[@megaswenson]

I agree. The video's description led me to believe I was about to see another Modernist nightmare. Instead, the home, and its owners, are in perfect continuity with the region's traditions (right down to that PERFECT blue paint color for the exterior doors).

[@ConChaz100]

Beautiful! Thank You for restoring this Alexis and Lotte. This must have been very hard work but now to enjoy. Taking something old and about to collapse and making it NEW and USEFUL again . BELLE!

[@canthony722]

such a charming couple....they've worked so hard and it's a magnificent accomplishment!

[@melovescoffee]

Wow, what a unique home! Plus points for not stuffing it with gaudy fake chique.

[@mjade1673]

melovescoffee in france? They would do that ?

[@tryn2bnice557]

im just picking up my jaw from the floor. truly amazing.

[@tabcan]

Me too. It's as beautiful as they are.

[@helenhines2712]

It looks so much better in the inside than from the outside. Wow, the couple did an amazing job renovating that cave. It's definitely homey and livable now.

[@masonkim7]

you guys are pumping amazing content just constantly. Amazing work as always.

[@willywhite492]

What a great couple, so full of passion. I really enjoyed what they have created together and not many couples work well together. Did they say that they rent out their suite?

[@kirstendirksen]

They do. There's a link to their Facebook page in the text.

[@reworldmeditation7797]

Willy White yes

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Willy White, you have a great VW Type 2; I've never seen a yellow one. Wish I still had mine.

[@lorrilewis2178]

Boy, they really earned that place. Amazing!

[@kerryoke68]

I am in love with this home and I agree with everyone else, they seem like such a nice couple. Another great video. Thank you.

[@KahaniPulaao]

there's something really meditative about your content....love this channel..

[@mjade1673]

Kanishka Singh riiiigghhht 👍👍👍

[@kariec3197]

I want to stay here!!! FUN! And LOTS of work, but definitely worth it!

[@Apafej627]

Wow, this is just simply beautiful.

[@unfabulouslyfabulous]

i cant get over how wonderful this is! a labor of love that turned out truly spectacular!

[@carltaylor4942]

I live in a cave area in Spain - I'd never go back to living in a "normal" house. I have no heating or air-conditioning bills!

[@kirstendirksen]

Where in Spain?

[@carltaylor4942]

@@kirstendirksen - In Jaen, Andalusia - if you want to see what it's like round here, check out some KZbin videos about Guadix/

[@v.r.2834]

You lucky one 🤗

[@carltaylor4942]

@@v.r.2834 - It's not really a question of luck. The properties are very cheap and usually in pretty poor condition. It took me a year of very hard work to get mine livable. But worth every minute in the end.

[@v.r.2834]

Carl Taylor But now you are lucky to enjoy it 🤗

[@wolfgangweber2516]

what a nice multitalented couple, not lasy at all. my respect.

[@d.e.7467]

Beautiful place and the story is fascinating.

[@jonmessenger5621]

Did anyone else catch the cat @ 4:39? LOL His reverse works really well. Thank you Kristen for doing these wonderful videos. Stay safe and may God bless you and your family.....Jon

[@TheMrsemmapeel]

Mrs. Dirksen I wish to thank you for your videos. Your style of making videos about unique and tiny living spaces through the heart and the work of the builders/owners makes it fun to watch, especially for those with a fascination for unique and tiny living space. Through your eyes we can be kids in a candy store.

[@ashurgeorge4604]

Another great video from my favorite channel on KZbin.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

What a delightful couple. Not afraid of hard work and taking chances. Now they have one of the most beautiful and historical homes in the world. Built with their labor and the labor of peoples past. Wonderful video. thanks.

[@petronellakayanan5160]

It is a miracle that two people can work together so well - everyone's dream. Very nicely done.

[@cynthiamarble8384]

Why would anyone dislike this,it is like a fairy land for this couple, they r so wonderful together.who would not want a relationship like this

[@carl5192]

The french always have style

[@T.J]

And we actually say troglodytique

[@deemic654]

What a charming couple. They really did an amazing job and they have a truly unique and beautiful home.

[@retrobebop61]

Omg Kirsten!! A cave!!! So cool!!! Thanks so much! Happy New Year!!

[@SageBlackthorn]

I really like this place Kirsten, it is gorgeous. I especially love how they left the tool marks in the ceiling at 14:00 or so. The history behind this home must be incredible.

[@cfapps7865]

Thank you...

[@curtisburnham8099]

Thank you Kirsten for all of your hard work.

[@Swampwitch99]

What an amazing couple, so genuine and passionate! I love seeing people who are not afraid to go after a dream and share their experiences with others so openly. The comments are unsurprisingly filled with love for this couple, they are truly inspiring

[@evah787]

Amazing! This couple have done a great job. What a lovely home....who would have thought that a "cave" could end up looking so comfortable. Blessings to you! (From Australia 😊)

[@CrankyBubushka]

Wow, That is so lovely. They did a wonderful job.

[@jackyblue67same10]

That is just absolutely beautiful inside & out. I know they worked really hard on that home & it really shows.

[@BrassLock]

This couple have that wonderful passion, enthusiasm and creative energy that makes anything possible. If they can afford to travel once again, I'm sure they'd enjoy visiting the opal miner's underground houses in Coober Pedy, South Australia. They'd find kindred spirits; the same enthusiasm for life exists there too.

[@katherinegaughan45]

dav snow I was thinking of that half a second before I saw your comments. :D

[@gretheladegaard3169]

dav snow

[@loiscassels8966]

We stayed in a cave hostel when we were in Coober Pedy, nice and cool, dark and quiet.

[@MissGloriosa]

This house reminded me of Coober Pedy actually. I was checking out real estate just a couple weeks ago there.

[@almabayomi8065]

I love the cave home! Beautiful! This couple has a beautiful and bold personalities! They deserve the very best!

[@toffthe]

One of the most beautiful places I've seen. Also I want to have a drink in that guy's bar. He's brilliant.

[@christopherswartz792]

So stunning! Was not expecting such a beautiful place inside but that was gorgeous. Great couple full of life.

[@marynichols438]

Your home is beautiful and cozy. I admire all of the work that you put into restoring it.

[@jenniferditchett4950]

Great video as usual. Love this young couple and their beautiful house.

[@dcat1285]

they worked so hard to restore this home - and the result is beautiful!

[@VectrexRoli]

Amazing! Thanks for showing this!

[@gigiatkins5923]

I LOVE old homes with modern amenities 🥰

[@leannaestep3066]

A beautiful and unique place to live your lives.

[@lisakilmer2667]

Another informative and inspirational home! What a colossal amount of effort this couple have gone to. One can only hope it was worth their work. Beautiful melding of old and modern.

[@H11X11N]

What a beautiful dream home!!

[@tommyboybr]

Wow, I love it!!! It looks so cozy.

[@erlindamendez8633]

I love this stunning & beautiful cave ❤️ so much love and talent went in this beautiful home 😍❤️

[@jameskennedy9655]

Home Sweet Home. beautiful couple, loved your video😊

[@rwatts2155]

I absolutely LOVE your home! I'd love to live in one of the caves in the Loire. Congratulations on creating such a beautiful home from the ruin.

[@AudreyHeadley]

Wow really enjoy watching how you renovate this beautiful cave in your home just awesome

[@jackyblue67same10]

Wow those tiles in that second part is so georgeous. This is a very expensive home I would think. Everything in this home is just perfect I would love to live there.

[@pennylane77]

Lovely couple. A lot of hard work and a vision, anything is possible. Bravo.

[@aldoulysses]

I wouldn't be surprised if someone made a joke about it. " how can you not know? *Have you been living under a rock all these years?".

[@dodecaheathenblue8132]

So lovely- thank you for sharing!

[@Valerie-SPTV]

How fabulous .... thank you for sharing!

[@magicgemmaster566]

I liked this couple more and more as I watched. tres cool😍

[@sokhibabdurasulov3323]

I admire everything about this couple and their work

[@Paul-tu8fg]

How interesting. Your videos have truly expanded my perspective. There are living models out there that I had never even considered. Keep up the great work.

[@wasblind4835]

Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@erikasauder3757]

Love people with extraordinary good taste and visionary know how. What an incredible project! Loved the tour, many thanks. Erika.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

Am so loving this home and lovely young couple. Bravo!!

[@andrer.boucher1137]

Determination and enthusiasm is the key. Both on the same page. Stunning results. Much respect.

[@latishabrown801]

I absolutely love that home😍.

[@rt3156]

Amazing!

[@denaredford6701]

Very talented couple , they created a beautiful cave home .

[@hananmustafa4789]

I can't believe how much effort you have put in that house!what you have done is absolutely amazing! You are a unique couple

[@angelaconley162]

Love this. Ty for showing all these incredible places

[@vntgvxn4778]

The 4 years that this couple worked on this home, was time well spent. This place is absolutely gorgeous!

[@lindawilliams2211]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@laylacordall7654]

May God bless and grant you peace in your beautiful home, it is truly lovely for such an appreciative couple as you....peace

[@aaronhorton3508]

Beautiful. This place is amazing. They should be proud of the job they have done.

[@seanstampley9739]

That is the coolest, no pun intended, living space I've ever seen... It's beautiful!!

[@bubblebeebartend]

this is so beautiful. thanks for sharing this cool space and history with us

[@nostrathomas2437]

These two are very natural in front of the camera .. perhaps they could do a series on troglodyte homes.

[@chramec]

This is awesome, but I don't think I would ever get over the fear that it could collapse on top of me.

[@Day23J1k]

I was looking at news feed about elderly couple live in cave I think about 50 years and it still standing and not as morden as this one. Don't fear, because you be just fine.

[@kittykatz3518]

Earthquakes???

[@judieg.7945]

I'm with you.

[@wendyannh]

​@@kittykatz3518 In an earthquake, the safest place to be is on bedrock. That's what caves are dug out of ;-)

[@alfrancis8]

Its been around for hundreds of years.... it will be there till we are gone :)

[@franciestokes3195]

What amazing people amazing job you done to you new home hello from Ireland 👍🇮🇪☘️

[@natashasemrau3670]

What a way to live! The tile floor is great. No large utilities bills is a big plus. Smart people to understand the best side of cave living!😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@thommackenzie9436]

Absolutely Stunning !!!! .....Great People , Great "Digs" !!!!

[@mov1ngforward]

Beautiful!!! I love what you've done! 👏👏👏

[@gargangrg2116]

I rent a troglodyte in south Loire valley 10y ago (where lived hemp weavers between the 17th an 19th century) during a few months and this wasn't such a nice experience, considering the renovation was minimalistic (always charming when some tuffeau pieces falling on your head when you're in the bathroom for exemple, or moisture everywhere even with a lot of ventilation). Here it's completly the opposite, it looks so sane and even bright, without constant dust and moisture. What a great job they did !

[@FemininePrinciple]

Fantastic job, French couple! Good job, this is my favorite so far! Magic!

[@geekguyilm]

Wonderfully done!

[@donx03]

Good for you guy & your dog. Thanks for sharing your project.

[@raylefresne8019]

You put a lot of sweat into this home with soul. It's beautiful ! It must be so quiet and still.

[@astrakan2960]

and a lot of money!

[@joannebaker7875]

That was bloody neat. Well done for sharing.

[@LtChed]

I always enjoy seeing your family in the videos and the interesting locations you find.

[@ccchakras]

Thanks for sharing. Great work guys.

[@ravenblonde]

Gorgeous Cave Home! 💕

[@Sassyglbeauty]

Man. This guy kinda got under my skin at first. But, have to give respect to them for this beautiful restoration job on this beautiful home. I would never move out.

[@maesams6212]

this is absolutely lovely! very smart and dedicated couple!!!!

[@debbieboring3422]

This is so nice I love the look of this. Nice view. They have done a great job of renovating the place.

[@happyhermit2022]

Thank you that was awesome, what a beautiful place 🤗