Dordogne: Family move to second chateau after error with first choice (2024)

When Tim and Krys Birch moved to an elegant but run-down chateau, it was with thoughts of creating the perfect ‘forever home’.

“We moved out with extended family,” said Tim, a former chef. His parents Robert and Sue, 68, came with them, as well as his brother Mike, 41, who has autism. “We wanted somewhere we could run a business and live together as a family.”

Château Monteil in Calviac-en-Périgord, near Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne, was in disrepair and needed significant work. The family employed plumbers and electricians for specialist jobs, and took on the cosmetic tasks themselves to open it as a chambres d’hôtes.

“We had to strip walls bare and start again, using plasterboard, and replacing rotten beams,” said Krys, 32.

While the work took place, the family lived together in a small house on the grounds. Only in 2015, once work was complete, could Tim and Krys move into the chateau, while his parents remained in the house, which by then afforded ample accommodation for two. Everything changed,

however, when Tim and Krys’s son Owen was born in March 2017.

“We realised that we could not maintain the level of work required to keep running a chambres d’hôtes,” said Tim. “The gruelling 6:30 starts for breakfast through to clearing the last dinner table at midnight was too much for a 20-week season.”

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Instead, the resourceful family moved back in with Tim’s parents, renting the chateau out as a whole. “This worked well from a business sense,” said Tim, 39. “But it was not sustainable long-term – there was not enough space.”

In addition, Tim and Krys struggled to fit in with the local, older demographic. “There was not much of a young community, and the school closed down, to boot.” As a result, in 2018 the family put the chateau on the market and began looking for somewhere new.

“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.

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Le Bugue – Domaine de la Barde

After lots of deliberation, the family finally found what they were looking for just 20

minutes up the road in Le Bugue – Domaine de la Barde.

“The chateau had gone into liquidation in 2008, when the owner – who had planned a huge hotel complex on the site – lost investors due to the financial crisis,” says Tim. Since then, the once-beautiful chateau had been left empty, squatters had moved in, and there was a lot of damage.

“Everything was filthy and there was graffiti everywhere,” he said. Undeterred, the family put in an offer around €100,000 less than they had paid for Château Monteil, which was accepted.

They moved into local rented accommodation while initial works were carried out – windows were replaced and a building on the site was renovated for Tim’s parents. “We moved in August 2021 after renting for a year,” says Tim. “For now, we are all living with my parents as we work on the chateau.”

The new property has twice the footprint of the last. “It is a 14th century chateau on a plot of around 11 acres. “It also has several converted buildings – a forge and a converted walnut mill housing eight en-suite rooms. “A previous owner had a showroom for his classic car collection, and

that is now converted into a modern, draught-free space for mum and dad.” The enormous site also comprises an orangery, tennis court and swimming pool. Crucially, it is on the outskirts of a small town.

“Although it is a town, it only has 2,500 inhabitants,” says Tim, “so it has a village feel.”

Dordogne: Family move to second chateau after error with first choice (2)

It also has a younger demographic, and both a primary school and collège, meaning Owen can walk to school until the age of 15.

So has the family learned a lot about chateau renovation over the years?

“I think we have learned more about ourselves,” says Tim. “What suits our lifestyle, our strengths and weaknesses.”

They hope to double the value of the chateau and, in the meantime, create holiday apartments in the walnut mill, plus 10 B&B rooms in the chateau, which will only be available for a short season to fit around family life and Owen’s school.

For anyone else looking to make the leap into chateau ownership, Tim advises looking into the costs carefully. Work is far more expensive in France than the UK.

Has the family finally found its ‘forever home’? “We are confident it meets our needs right now,” says Tim, “but who knows? Although we would hope to get the kids through school before doing it again!”

Related articles:

Dordogne, Britanny: eight French chateaux for sale under €700,000

We bought a hotel in France: From 'go home' graffiti to Michelin star

Fondation du patrimoine saves 35,000 buildings in France in 25 years

Dordogne: Family move to second chateau after error with first choice (2024)

FAQs

What are Tim and Margreeth doing now? ›

We have finished the main cottage, and are now working on converting two tiny outbuildings and a shed. Tim works fulltime on the project. Margreeth also works at a school for teenagers with behavioral problems.

Is Ross on Chateau 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.

What happened to Paul and Karen from Escape to the Chateau? ›

Karen and Paul owned and commuted to the château for 16 years. The idea had always been to ultimately retire there. Sadly the pandemic has put an end to their dreams and now they have sold their property. But they don't regret a single day of their adventure.

What is Tim Micallef doing after Tim and Friends? ›

Tim and Friends host Tim Micallef announces that a new project is on the horizon with Sportsnet Central and along with associate producer Jesse Rubinoff thanks all the friends and fans of the show for their support over the years.

What is Tim DeChristopher doing now? ›

After his release from jail in 2013, DeChristopher attended Harvard Divinity School and obtained a graduate degree. He settled with his family in Rhode Island. DeChristopher is a founder of the Climate Disobedience Center which provides advice and assistance to climate activists engaged in civil disobedience.

Is Ross Geller autistic? ›

No, Ross is just a self-absorbed person with poor emotional control. While those can be traits seen in people with Asperger syndrome (now considered just a part of the wider autism spectrum instead of its own separate thing), they aren't diagnostic and are seen in plenty of neurotypical people.

Does Stephanie Jarvis have a partner? ›

Not your usual choice of partner

For example, while most château owners run their property with a partner, she owns hers with her two best friends – one an ex-boyfriend – and lives with an ever-shifting group of friends, volunteer helpers, mum and brother which she describes herself as “one weird family”.

What happened to Philip and Janet in Chateau DIY? ›

Moving to France

The Barnard-Browns purchased their dream home, Château de la Fare, located in a rural area, near Ales in the south of France, in 2012. Restoration work did not start in earnest until Philip's retirement in 2019 when they moved to France permanently in 2012.

Is Paul and Karen still together? ›

The couple split in December 2021, with Karine stating she wanted a divorce to start her life over. Paul is now dating a 21-year-old in Brazil and claims to be in an open marriage with Karine, who is allegedly dating a mystery man.

Is Paul and Katrina still together? ›

Karine Staehle has broken her silence after claiming her husband Paul had gone missing by posting supposed screenshots of text between him and his mom. The pair rose to fame on TLC's reality show, 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days and married in 2017 before splitting up in December 2021.

What does Tim Foster do now? ›

Now an elite coach, Tim Foster became a household name during his career as a British Olympic rower.

What happened to Tim and Jess radio? ›

Tim Bolch and Jessica Pantou will join K-Rock FM Geelong as the hosts of their Drive program on 17 October 2022. Tim and Jessica currently host Breakfast on The Hit 104.9 The Border. They will replace 'Herbie'. Her former partner 'Josh' is now working for an online company.

What is Tim Kendall doing now? ›

Tim is now the CEO of Moment, a mobile app that helps you to use your phone in a healthy way, giving you back time for the parts of life that matter most. We cover a bunch of things in this chat, including: Tim's quirky technique for keeping staff focused while he was President at Pinterest.

What does Tim K do for a living? ›

Tim K
Occupation(s)Producer, composer, musician, arranger, keyboardist
Instrumentkeyboard
Years active2000–present
Websitehttp://www.timkmusic.com
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