Prior to chateau life…
Both working in the property industry in London, they decided it was time to slow down and live a quieter life. That’s not to say renovating a chateau is quieter, but living in rural France is a vast contrast to London life.
During the pandemic…
Prior to the pandemic, they held live music events as the Chateau’s main income stream. When they worked out what the Chateau had to earn to survive each year over a normal household, it was similar to two/three large music events so when they were forced to stop due to the pandemic this obviously caused some concern. Instead of twiddling their thumbs through the pandemic they started a YouTube profile where they were able to connect with their audience and share their experiences of Chateau Life.
What spare time!
It doesn’t exist. They recently bought an English bar in a local town called the Red Lion, where they plan to turn it into a music bar. That alongside renovating their chateau, the couple certainly have their hands tied.
Family and friends
They thought they were crazy! Even now they’re asked when they’ll be moving back to the UK. They were questioned if they were having a midlife crisis. It wasn’t all worries though, they still had a lot of support.
Were there any hurdles?
The language barrier was certainly difficult. The French like to have everything in triplicates, so there was a lot of paperwork. The hurdles were worth the hassle!
Are you ever homesick?
Their answer?“Not really!” They sometimes miss London and whenever they travel back to the UK, they always miss France and can’t wait to get back.
Vision for the future
The couple want to make the chateau look as beautiful as possible for everyone to enjoy. Grand and pretty are what they’re aiming for.
Advice for anyone thinking of buying a chateau
Think long and hard before buying! If you like hard work, go for it! Run at it with open arms.
Fan appreciation
The couple were featured in the first series so they are excited to let people see what they’ve been up to. Through YouTube they have a few global fans who can’t wait to see what they’ve been filming for the show.
Interesting features of the chateau
Mostly the moat. The chateau is surrounded by nature, so very serene. It’s all pretty magical within the setting it’s in.
Sources of inspiration?
The Palace of Versailles is their main source of inspiration! The chateau is symmetrical and isn’t typically fairytale-esque. It’s a working progress that Philip and Angelina can’t wait to continue working on.
Any DIY tips?
Always plan ahead and don’t expect anything to happen last minute.
What were your biggest challenges?
Philip was electrocuted! He says, “always make sure the electrics are turned off.” Time! Everything will take longer than expected.
What was your most or least successful restoration?
The morning salon is almost finished, which is a space they both love. Originally there was a boat house for the swans which they had to remove to completely rebuild which came with some complications. The roof of the Chateau is brand new but it still leaks. As ever there will always be areas that are most or least successful but it’s rewarding for the couple nonetheless.
Main business
Live music events.
Who will be your customers?
“Anyone and everyone!” They don’t want to limit their demographic. It’s an all-inclusive space for everyone to enjoy with lots to do.
How has the show changed your life?
Even though they play a minor part it’s changed their lives massively and always find it funny when they are recognised locally.
Excited to be on the show
Getting to share with others is something they both love with the aim of inspiring others, even if it’s on a smaller scale.
FAQs
Do Phil and Angelina own their chateau? ›
Estate agents Philip and Angelina Bailie-Smith currently lease a 13-bedroom chateau for less than the price of the three-bed flat the couple are renting out in London Bridge.
How much did Anna and Philipp pay for their chateau? ›A couple bought an 18th-century chateau in the French countryside and spent $600,000 turning it into a modern guesthouse — take a look at how they did it.
Was armour found in the chateau lake? ›Armour in the moat.
An elderly gentleman who had lived in the valley all of his life told her the chateau once held a fine collection of medieval armour, handed down through generations. Rather than let the enemy claim it in WW2, the armour was packed into twenty or so crates and hidden deep in the moat.
Scotsman Paul is a quantity surveyor by trade and Donna, from Hartlepool, a property and facility consultant. They met and married in the UK in 2003, then bought a 400-year-old cottage to refurbish in central Scotland.
Is Ross from Château DIY autistic? ›Already experienced at property renovations
Take this family, Clive, Karen and their grown-up children Abbie and autistic brother Ross. Clive was an IT Consultant, but for him, property development and architecture was a passion.
They fell in love with another property in France and decided they wanted to buy. The deal fell through, but although neither of them are Francophiles, and were both perfectly content living in Holland, it left the couple feeling restless.
Why are chateaus in France so cheap? ›It's no secret that one of the reasons why there are so many 'bargain' châteaux are the exorbitant renovation costs and the relentless maintenance required. Structurally renovating a château could set you back an average of €1,000 per square metre.
Why are chateau owners selling up? ›Olivier de Lorgeril, chairman of La Demeure historique, credits the upsurge in sales to the houses' expensive maintenance as well as to a shift in generational mindset. The chairman concludes, 'the younger generations are urban. They often want to have international careers and to live in towns and cities'.
How many employees does Escape to the Chateau have? ›With eleven staff and ten events a week, business blossomed. A book deal followed and Angel's Vintage Tea Party series has sold copies all over the world.
Who is Stephanie's partner in Escape to the Chateau? ›Originally from London, Stephanie moved to France 15 years ago in pursuit of life abroad but she didn't settle for any old establishment. Alongside her partner Nic Larkin, the pair decided to purchase a 16th Century chateau situated in the French countryside.
What does Ashley from Escape to the Chateau do? ›
Take Ashley Adams and Johnny Darko, who met in a Pezenas, a small French village close to the Mediterranean. She's a designer and an American TV producer who always had a dream to move permanently to France.
Who is Fiona in Château DIY? ›Fiona Jones from London fell for a 12th century chateau in the Limousin region. Undaunted at taking on a massive project on her own, she moved to France in 2014 to bring the neglected Chateau du Masgelier back to life.
What is the oldest armor ever found? ›Bronze scales were found at Mycenae and Troy; scale armour, the oldest form of metal body armor, was used widely throughout the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East. In May 1960 Swedish archaeologists discovered the earliest example of a beaten bronze cuirass at Dendra, dated at the end of the fifteenth century BC.
What is the oldest chateau in France? ›France has over 40,000 castles and fortresses dating from between the 9th and 21st centuries. The oldest one is the Château de Thil, started in 850 AD, and the most recent one is the Château Louix XIV, completed in 2011.
How much land does Escape to the Chateau have? ›The chateau boasts 45 rooms and a moat, while the property spans over 12 acres.
Did Tim and Chris sell their chateau? ›“We needed somewhere bigger and in a better location for family life,” said Tim. The agent eventually found a buyer in 2019, with the sale completing in August 2020.
Who is Isabelle Jarvis husband? ›There wasn't a dry eye in the house for the fairy tale wedding of Isabelle Jarvis and Percy Attfield held at the stunning Chateau de Lalande home to Stephanie Jarvis.
What nationality is Anna from Chateau DIY? ›Anna was an English fashion designer and Philipp a filmmaker from South Tyrol Italy before they ran their château. But when they met where they were both living and working in Paris.
What has happened to Château DIY? ›It was narrated by Dick Strawbridge who, along with his wife Angel Adoree, provides help and advice to some of these owners until 2020. The programme was spawned from the associated series Escape to the Chateau. For 2021 onwards, the programme was renamed Château DIY with new narrator Adjoa Andoh.
Does Michael Petherick own the chateau? ›Château De La Basmaignée
The Château was purchased by Michael Petherick together with is brother and fiancé back in 2017. What initially started as a three person project soon became a family fair as the Pethericks set about restoring the magnificent building to its former glory.
Do Michael and Jonathan still have their chateau? ›
This beautiful Chateau was used as a hospital and a school through the years and was in very poor condition when Michael & Jonathan came and returned it to it's former glory. Sadly Michael & Jonathan decided it was time for a new project and moved on from the Chateau.
Can an American buy a chateau in France? ›There are no restrictions for foreign investors buying a house in France, even non-residents. All investors need is a French bank account and a valid ID. Besides your deposit, you can also expect to pay notaire's fees.
Can you buy abandoned houses in France? ›Only if you had found and clearly identified a specific property would the local council (mairie) be willing to supply you with the name of the owner.
What are the pitfalls of buying a house in France? ›Common pitfalls include purchasing a property without the right documentation (for example, surveys and planning permission certificates), underestimating the costs of renovations and extra fees, and signing contracts without fully understanding the implications of French law.
Why do French people not buy chateaus? ›They consume massive amounts of energy. And despite renovations, a chateau may still never appreciate in price, experts said. Few of the French want a chateau. Their lack of interest is made up for by eager expats, some of whom decide to buy without realizing the pitfalls.
What is the difference between a chateau and a castle? ›Although the French word for 'château' is generally translated as castle it is more likely to mean a country house or a manor house.
Why are so many chateaus abandoned? ›To the working classes, the castles that had been built, especially during the French renaissance, were a symbol of opulence, class distinction, and pure selfishness. As a result, during the French Revolution, many of these castles were destroyed, vandalized, or simply left abandoned by their fleeing owners.
How many bedrooms does Escape to the Chateau have? ›The Chateau was built in the nineteenth century and includes nine bedrooms and seven baths. It has a bed and breakfast suite as well as its own British food shop. The 15,000-square-metre property has kept many of its characteristic features.
What are the couple from Escape to the Chateau doing now? ›By the following summer, the pair held their own wedding at the château, paving the way for a lucrative business that benefits from Angel's vintage-hospitality past and now sees them host up to 15 ceremonies a year and the six eight-bedroom suites they have renovated fully occupied.
How old is Angela from Escape to the Chateau? ›Who owns Chateau Miraval now? ›
In October 2021, Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of Stoli Group, said it had acquired a 50% stake in Miraval from Angelina Jolie for an undisclosed fee. 'We are thrilled to have a position alongside Brad Pitt as curators of their extraordinary vintages,' said Stoli Group's CEO, Damian McKinney, at the time.
Do the strawbridges still own the chateau? ›The Château de la Motte-Husson is a Neo-Renaissance style château. It is located in the small market town of Martigné-sur-Mayenne, in the Mayenne département of France. The château is currently owned by Dick Strawbridge and his wife Angel. It is the setting for the Channel 4 programme Escape to the Chateau.
Who owns Chateau de la Basmaignée? ›We are Gwendoline and Billy, a French/English couple, and we bought the château at the very end of 2016. Ever since that, we have been working hard, with the help of our family, to restore the château to its former glory.
Does Brad Pitt still own the chateau in France? ›It lies on the Château Miraval wine estate in Provence, which Pitt still co-owns after having originally bought the property with ex-partner Angelina Jolie. Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of Stoli Group, announced in 2021 it had acquired a 50% stake in Miraval from Jolie.
How much did Angelina sell Miraval for? ›Miraval purchase worth estimated $164 million
Jolie was one of the highest-paid actresses in the world in 2020, according to Forbes, earning nearly $36 million that year.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the ex-couple are two of the wealthiest actors in the world, with Pitt reportedly worth $300 million and Jolie $120 million. For 25 million euros, the ex-Hollywood power couple purchased Chateau Miraval in 2008.
Did Brad Pitt sell Miraval? ›Battle of the exes. Brad Pitt filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife Angelina Jolie in February 2022, claiming that she illegally sold her shares of Miraval, a French company including a chateau and vineyard that the former couple purchased together in the south of France.
Are the strawbridges involved in Chateau DIY? ›It was narrated by Dick Strawbridge who, along with his wife Angel Adoree, provides help and advice to some of these owners until 2020. The programme was spawned from the associated series Escape to the Chateau. For 2021 onwards, the programme was renamed Château DIY with new narrator Adjoa Andoh.
Is James Strawbridge married? › Does Stephanie still own the chateau? ›Now 45-years-old, the presenter originally purchased a 20-bedroom sixteenth-century chateau in Crozon-sur-Vauvre in France. In fact, she still runs the property today, as it now operates as a B&B for anyone looking for a luxury French getaway.
What does Phil from chateau Life do for a living? ›
Château du Bailleul, Having grown up in Cornwall Philip eventually moved to London, working in property, where he met Angelina and they got engaged.
Who has sold their chateau from Château DIY? ›Château La Perrière has been part of Karen, Paul, and their kids Thomas and Katie's lives for over sixteen years. And visiting and restoring their home has been a labour of love – and an adventure too. Now they've sold up and are moving on to the next chapter of their lives.
Why are owners selling French chateau? ›Olivier de Lorgeril, chairman of La Demeure historique, credits the upsurge in sales to the houses' expensive maintenance as well as to a shift in generational mindset. The chairman concludes, 'the younger generations are urban. They often want to have international careers and to live in towns and cities'.
How much did Angelina sell winery for? ›Jolie sold Chateau Miraval to a Russian oligarch and Pitt is suing her to undo the deal. In court documents obtained by ET, Pitt acknowledges that Jolie did pay 40 per cent of the $28.4 million purchase price, but he has put in lots of time and money into sprucing up and renovating the winery.
Does Angelina Jolie still own Miraval? ›Château Miraval is owned by Brat Pitt and Angelina Jolie.