So far this year I haven’t dragged John on a Chateau crawl but finding ourselves back in a familiar place I seizure the opportunity to visit a chateau that we have passed several times before but there’s never been an opportunity to snatch a photo or stop, so much to Johns amusement I message Tim and Krys the owners of Domaine de La Barde to see if I can take a few photos.
The next morning with the ok from the owners I head off to walk the short distance through the old historic town of Le Bugue but I’m soon back in the French countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the Saturday morning market, when Domaine De La Barde comes into view and it’s amazing the transformation in just a couple of years.
Located in the Périgord Noir region Domaine De La Barde was made famous by the English TV programme “Chateau DIY” when it was bought in 2020 by its current owners, The Birch Family who
now offer Bed and breakfast rooms and self catering holiday rentals, with cookery workshops planned for the nea
Over the years these crumbling walls had several custodians and before the current owners, there had been plans in 2008 to turn it into a huge hotel complex but investors were lost due to the financial crisis at that time.
Since then, the once beautiful chateau had been left empty, and squatters had moved in, leaving a lot of damage. While some might need a little time to mull over the prospect of buying a huge neglected property this didn’t phase Tim and Krys and from what I remember when watching the TV programme they hit the ground running and immediately started clearing the grounds and renovating this old domain back to its former glory.
But I’m intrigued not just by the buildings but also the people who take them on, is there one singular reason why? What are they craving? And I suppose after chatting to Tim I think the impression I get is that it has been a hard long slog to achieve what they have, however, they live a unique way of life, in a place full of history, in a property they love.
Life in France has given the family a place with more space, I can see why this growing family wants to bring up their children here, Le Bugue might be a small town but it has more of a village feel and Tim, Krys and their son Owen are now all part of the community.
I only spend a short time with Tim but I leave with the feeling that he and Krys have a great affection for these beautiful old buildings, they may live amongst grandeur but they are very down to earth and that sharing all of this with their guests is part of their enjoyment too, I’m sure their guests are made to feel very special here.
Of course, no TV programme can ever depict how a chateau owner’s life is but what it can do is give the viewer an impression of the many challenges and rewards they have faced at the end of a long hard day. And with the new series due to be screened on channel 4 at the end of October, I will most certainly be tuning in to see their next chapter.
You can now see and walk the once neglected drive way into Domaine De La Barde.
Sprinkled across this beautiful country there are many famous French chateaus due to their history and magnificence you may have heard of some of them, however, these aren’t the ones I wish to see, I want to see some of the Chatueas I have been following on the tv programme Château DIY, and Domaine De La Barde is one of my favourite.
From what I have read the once-named Manoir de la Barde was the former home of the Veyrines, the Montlouis, and the Montazel families, I am sure they would be delighted that so many people visit these old buildings now.
What a great place to enjoy your afternoon tea or G & T
I wonder if the nobility and gentry of years gone by enjoyed a game or two.
There are so many places within the grounds where you can sit amongst the peace and quiet.
Walking through the garden adorned with a topiary yew hedge, that leads to tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, and a stream, you get a completely different view of this great building.
Wandering around the grounds I am completely charmed by this old building that would fit into any romantic novel or children’s fairytale it has a magical quality.
Today, its once again in the hands of a family who just so happen to be taking us on their journey with Domaine De La Barde it looks like it has a bright future.
Fabulous!
Thank you