Couple Revives Abandoned Chateau
Some may call putting in a new kitchen renovating, but Australian couple Karina and Craig Waters have a different idea of renovation. They instead chose to buy a 27,000 square foot, 94 room chateau in the South of France, rotting floors and all. It’s not hard to see the beauty in these old abandoned mansions, but it takes a creative individual with a good eye, deep pockets and a clear vision to be able to endure the inexorable work and time that it takes to bring back a place that has been neglected for eons.
Karina, who has stayed in France while her husband is back working in Australia in order to continue funding this project, has done just this and more. She states on their blog that the “aim is to tread lightly and gently — to preserve the atmosphere and authenticity of the Chateau and region as much as possible. She will be renovated but her rawness, wear and history will not be erased, but instead integrated." The couple therefore tries to salvage as much as possible to keep the originality and history alive.
One of the many bedrooms pre-renovation.
Foreigners coming to France to buy an old Chateau may seem strange, but it actually has been a trend. Over 30 affluent Chinese businesspeople have invested in castles and chateaus in France and the rest of Europe, drawn by their beauty, wineries and profitable possibilities. With the amount of work that goes into restoring one, many have given up under the pressure and work that goes into not only restoring, but also getting the building approvals in France. It took the Waters two years to get their own project underway. To them, though, the history of the place makes it all worth it.
It’s a hauntingly beautiful 18th century ruin, built for Louis Gaspard de Sales, Marquis de Gudanes. Parisian architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel who was a leading influential architect during the reign of Lous XI, iconic for his neoclassical and architectural symmetry, built the castle. He had other momentous constructions such as extensions of Fontainebleau, Petit Trianon at Versailles, Ecole Militaire, Palace de la Concorde and the right wing of the Opera House.
The couple tries their hardest to keep the original architecture alive
Chateau De Gudanes sits on a ledge overlooking Midi-Pyrénées en route to Plateau de Baille. And don't worry, visiting this fairytale estate with its mountain backdrop, 12 acre’s of foliaged terrain, orchards and horses will soon be possible. The chateau is set to open to the public this Summer 2016 for ‘The Weekend’ stay — the likes of which the couple's website is vague about what that actually means. Nonetheless, there will also be a workshop about renovation and restoration coming to the chateau July 29th until August 7th. The 10-day workshop aims to immerse participants in the conservation of cultural heritage encompassing decorative arts, canvas restoration, frame making and gilding under Italian art restorer and Messors founder and director Tonio Craenza. But if the workshop isn't your cup of tea — since restoring a massive chateau is probably out of your budget — the castle is also close to Toulouse and Mirepoix, so you can make a whole trip out of it to boot.
