@@TheChateauDiaries That was what I was thinking... I wonder if you can sue them! I know it would be a pain, but you would have a new pond/lake! Talk about getting more subscribers watching the journey! Knowing me I'd shut the gate and fill it back up, take pictures and send it to them!! :) Good luck!!
Problem is evidence of what they said. As it was so long ago there is unlikely to be any written evidence and given that they most likely gave just a verbal threat as well. It might be worth contacting other lake owners to see what happened with them. If only verbal, evidence from a number of people would strengthen the allegations. Quite maddening at the injustice.
Pleeeeeease, invest in a metal detector, and whilst the lake is dry go over the whole thing, and all the lands over the years. You will find some amazing treasures I’m sure
And another woman will fight for Lalande - it’s both poetic and inspiring. if you were damaging the land or gutting is he house of its history it would be different, but I see you as saving the history and celebrating the culture.
I watched this episode years ago and seeing it again amazes me because now in 2024 I know how far Lalande has come, you are a miracle woman Stephanie. Brilliant.
Oh my god how wonderful to see that and to hear the determination in your voice that you are finding the strength to take it on board, well done, you are amazing and everyone will be 100% behind you and the journey , I dreamt of seeing the mill house since it would played such an integral part in the workings of Lalande and the bread to feed everybody, the woods and streams are magical, pure joyful magic and I resolve I shall visit one day, congratulations dear girl x
Absolutely stunning, can't wait to see the lake back to it's former glory. There is nothing better than the sound of birds, water & the breeze in the trees. Xxx❤️🇬🇧😍
I think I would have collapsed having been presented with that shocking news, Stephanie. I can't imagine the sleepless nights you would have had hearing that you had to drain the lake or receive a fine. Thank goodness you did your homework. I'm pleased your are feeling considerably more optimistic. I'm delighted that you are going to salvage the boathouse. Great having the stream on your property. I love the sound of running water. The possibilities for picnics on the property are endless. Thanks for including us on the tour. Darryl
Love how passionate you are in restoring the lake back! Yours is definitely a unique story here in France. Loved knowing that you are receiving support through Patrons!
This is my new happy place on youtube. I like old places, gardens and restorations but what made your channel extra special is your zest and passion. You were giddy when you described the moss covered rocks. The pleasure of simple things:)
I’m so pleased to hear your enthusiasm about the lake,you need to have a huge open day to raise money to start the work on your lake,I’m sure everyone of your fans wishes your every success in getting the lake restored to its former glory x
I am fan of your channel and I also happen to be a policy maker at the European Commission. I can’t help myself but to say that its truly distressing to hear that a meaningful regulatory work gets misinterpreted by the local authorities to the extended that you have experienced. I wish you all the strength and optimism on your restoration journey! And I am looking forward to see the Chateu Lalande back at its former glory!
I am so happy for you and LaLande that Patreon is doing well ! I hate that they used a scare tactic on you! Shame on them! Your forest is wonderful, my kind of place to take a vacation and hopefully very soon your lake will be back! I have full confidence you will succeed! xxx
Thank you Stephanie for sharing the struggle & injustice you’ve experienced re your beautiful lake. The entire ecosystem there has been altered! Sending strength to you, Lady of the Lake of Lalande💙
Don’t beat yourself up, we all have been taken advantage of by government officials. At least one thing Has come of this is that you have learned, no one will take advantage of you again. ❤️🇨🇦 How lovely your property is 🌺🌺☀️
Thank you so much Stephanie for this wondrous walking tour of your land. It is truly beautiful. I got involved here with you because of Dan’s vlog, Escape to Rural France. I have been watching your Chateau Diaries from the beginning to try and catch up to where I am with Dan. I am where he redid the pantry for you so I will wait him there while I catch up with you here to the same point. I am having the BEST time watching your vlogs! ! !
Stephanie, your story is incredibly compelling. Without realizing it you have created a highly marketable brand for yourself and the chateau. You are sophisticated, well spoken, and knowledgeable on so many subjects. At the same time, your warmth and charisma are front and center in every episode. Truly, the world is your oyster. I see great success ahead for you, financial and otherwise. Well done, you! Please think about writing a book about your chateau experiences. I would be first in line to buy it (on Amazon?). I'm certain it would be a best seller!
What a glorious place you live in; you must feel truly blessed to be the one with your team of trusty friends to be able to restore this back to how it should be. Magnificent well done Stephanie xx
Thank you Stephanie for the tour of the woods/grounds/lake..I was totally mesmerized. I was wondering if on such a huge property were there burial grounds somewhere? how was that done so many, many years ago? I love your ideas and I would love to volunteer. I am totally captivated each time I watch a series. I know things are working for you-as you have such magical manifesting ideas and a really loving heart.
Now I am visiting The Chateau in June for the Photo de Femmes Festival Weekend and I am now a Patreon and also look forward to volunteering too. Plus I am also looking forward to help support a fund to reestablish the Lake! Now I’m able to truly live vicariously through all of the beautiful people of Leland’s!!! Thank you Stephanie for sharing your life with all of us who admire and dream of living in your dream world. Thank you for sharing and letting us be a part of your dream.
So so so beautiful. Do'nt give up, it will beyond magical when restored. You are such a very special person. Love and all blessings from South Africa.xxx
I enjoyed our stroll around the lake, this week, and I am convinced that you will manage to put right this terrible wrong - the Lake at Lalande will flourish once again. I am also thrilled that the patreon page is doing so well... it is wonderful to feel a part of the movement to restore the chateau.
It’s 3.26am and I have 2 children waking up in 2.5 hours and I can’t stop watching. What a marvellous escapism in this horrible world. You are wonderful! Love Kerri in North Lincolnshire x
New to your channel and so happy for you!!! I can only imagine how devastating this has been for you. Then, the overflowing love and support that has grown around you to lift your spirit and dreams for La Lande! Bless your heart! Wish I could come help get all of the invasive plants off your property. Especially the ivy, sucking the life from your trees. I'm sure you will have all the help you need as things move forward. Keep being brave, lady! I realize that a lot of life has happened since this video and I'm a bit late to the game. Much love. You've got this!
My imagination of the beauty of the lake and chapel, in my mind, does not do it justice. Oh Stephanie, you are so lucky to live in the beauty that surrounds you! I am so happy for you! Once again thank you for your beautiful descriptions of the very special chateau. I so wish I would be here to see the lake, but I am fascinated with the chapel renovation , praying I will see some of it resurrected!
@@TheChateauDiaries I know, you mentioned that but I am the one who is dying in Hospice and most likely will miss the beautiful restoration. I would love to see it finished. I am happy to be a part of your wonderful parties, laughter and happiness. I so look forward to the vlogs. Thank you so much for all of your hard work.
Oh Stephanie 💔 I truly pray that the Lake is filled and flourishing in its former state once again. May you have favour and speedy assistance in this endeavor. Looking forward to seeing that vlog. Beautiful blessings Mandy 👑SA
I hate to hear what happened to the lake. That was horrible! As a lover of history, I truly appreciate your enthusiasm for restoring the chateau & surrounding areas. It's just beautiful! Best of luck
Would be interesting if you could run part of the chateau on hydroelectric power. Perhaps there are grants available to do this. It could - in the long run- make rural French areas less expensive to conserve. Have someone from a University that deals with energy and land research come out to advise you on their ideas. Research which would be most receptive to you. Also check with the EU to see what grants they might have for you. Find someone with some power to do this so they don’t mess with you in the future. My old neighborhood has sprouted lots of solar panels because of New York tax incentives. If there isn’t something on the books in France or the EU perhaps a group of landowners can do this together to benefit all.
the tessellater there are water turbines that will operate very efficiently with only a couple of meters drop but as things are now it seems unlikely it would be allowed. I do hope she gets her lake back
This has got to be one of my favorite videos of the Chateau. I adored seeing your fairy woodland and enchanted by the meandering streams that wind across your land. As a gardener I would love it if you would share a video of your bluebell wood if you get them back this year. And I pray that you will succeed in your quest to have the lake restored as it will be the crowning glory to your landscape.
It is not often I would listen to someone talking through a programme but you stephanie are very passionate an determined and that is what comes through apart from your wonderful sense of humour x
I am watching this a year later than I originally did. It is amazing and very gratifying to see the tremendous progress you have made on the Chateau in that year.
I am a bit of an ostrich myself. I need to change my ways and deal with things properly that are bothering me. Don't worry, Stephanie. We all make mistakes and there is a way out. I hope you can sue them.
Your chateaux is so lovely and I’m sure it will be even more perfect once your lake is restored. I’m so sorry you were tricked into draining it and hope it is full once again. Thank you again for such wonderful entertainment and information!
Love the walk around the lake! I was wondering if there was an old mill on your property that could be used to produce electricity. I grew up on a farm with hydroelectric power. My father had 3 water turbines (use depending on water volume) to heat the house and provide all the hot water. It was something that he was very passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about. So much so that he started a waterwheel and turbine users association with members all over Ireland. I'm sure that there would be some sort of EU grant for renewable energy that you could apply for. However getting your beautiful lake back to it's former glory is of greater priority and I have no doubt that you will achieve this!! Keep fighting and don't let the b*****ds get you down!!
I find it heartbreaking to think that they felt it right to bully you like that. How could anybody be so evil. Hopefully the new lake will be a triumph in adversity. Believe in you Stephanie!
I’m so glad you have found the strength and the ability to begin to regain the Chateau’s lake. Just on a different note I do marvel at how quickly the lake can be drained and flooded - small but stunning example engineering ingenuity that works with nature. Also how quickly nature as reclaimed the lake bed to create a new ecosystem to replace the former lake ecosystem. The Chateau is full of wonder both natural and man made.
It is clear you wish to preserve not only die Chateau of LaLande, but also everything that forms part of this land, its history, its beauty and its culture. And you are doing it so well. You are very much committed to this beautiful place you call home. The woods are magical and everything you showed us brings this place back alive in our minds! Thank you for sharing. And we agree you must take up the good fight and bring LaLande's lake back to its former glory again! It is the right thing to do!!
Hello from Australia, all my family have been to France and love it. I'm 70 now I have dreamed of going there. But alas! Thankyou for your documentary. I wish you put episode 1, 2 etc I wanted to start from the beginning. But that's ok! Thankyou for the beautiful walk through your enchanted woods. I write and paint ( not professionally) so my imagination went wild. Thankyou my dear sweet lady. Love Juliana.
I am so glad you have enough support, now, to be able to begin imagining that you will reclaim LaLande’s lake! You deserve all of this, and I am certain you will succeed. You are so wonderful to LaLande, and I feel that she loves you and is very grateful. This all is a joy to observe.
I wish I could physically walk with you through your beautiful land experiencing the sights and smells and hear you talk about all the interesting information and stories you have to share. Thank you for sharing your heart and life that is so encouraging as well as interesting.
love how positive you are about what happened, that positivity and love for that place is going to male you success and have back the historic lake....i definitilly support you as many people. Hope also authorities pay back to you for the damage.
Stephanie I know you will succeed in getting the lake back again to its former self. If you need a signed petition then I am sure your can count us as your supporters to help through this horrible bungle. One cannot imagine what you have gone through. Shame on those that did this to you. But upwards and onwards Stephanie and your determination will see you through. Take care and all the best till next time.
I am impressed by the story of the lake and the history LaLande. I thought (I only looked at a few vlogs) it was all about guests, the garden and decorations.. I was wrong. . Reliving this beautiful property to what it deserves is so much more.
I stumbled upon these videos and I feel I have fallen into my dream as well! Ahhh! I love your passion for everything about this Chateau and all that it is the land and all of its magical history, the plants and tress, streams and such💖 i love lying on my hammock looking up i to my trees branches as well listening to the sounds of the birds, feeling the soft breeze of the feathery leaves . Such a beautiful place i feel your passion for it all it brings me to tears thank you for sharing! I would be in heaven to live in such a place! I hope to visit one day!
I wish you the very best of luck in your grand fight against bureaucracy!! You are very lucky to speak fluent French, I would also get your amazing mother involved, take her with you to your appointments and to see the mayor. She has the feistiness to take them on!! I guess you would be unable to use the site of the mill and all the old watercourses to have a small hydro electric power source to power your wonderful chateau!!! I follow you vlogs as I adore old houses that need love and attention. We are almost at the end of our restoration, a small farm in the Veneto area of Italy. Along the lagoon from Venice. Bought by us when we fell in love with a direct farm building with very little roof left. Sadly most of its land was sold by the family, but the fields surround it still. I look forward to the day I move there long term. Fight the good fight you will succeed! There is an appeal process for everything, you never know they may chip in to reinstate the rest of your old moats....
Take a closer look at the stone walls. Maybe you will find a treasure hidden from the past. Many history stories tell of them being a good spot to hide things. Beautiful as always. 💟☮️
Nothing short of amazing Stephanie!!! The property is just breathtaking and hope that you are able to restore the lake to its former glory very soon. I wish you the very best of luck!!. Love your vlogs. You should have your own tv series, so, so entertaining. xx
Can't wait to see the lake restored! I would suggest stocking it with fish again of several varieties so that you can grant yearly fishing licenses for a fee to help pay for its restoration & future projects. Perhaps have a yearly fishing tournament like we do here in the states. Such tournaments are good business for the community & would benefit the Chateau, as well. You mentioned a flourish of bluebells in one of the woods around the Chateau. Might I also suggest obtaining bulk amounts of other flowering bulbs & rhizomes and planting them in patches along some new trails around the lake now so that by the time the lake is restored, you'll have some beautifully-flowering walking/riding paths all around the lake for people to enjoy. Restoration of the lake could allow you to install water turbines & generators at the spillway, the old mill & the spillway. The generators could produce enough energy to supply all the electrical needs for the Chateau. You can use some of the old stones to build housing for the generators. Imagine the savings on the monthly electrical bill...or, perhaps you might wind up selling electricity back to the government! Tell your mom I am very jealous of all the rose cuttings Michael gave her. I'm hoping to do a rose garden for my mother, but I will have to start off very small. I'm in the process of trying to propagate old Texas fig cuttings & resurrecting an original Texas Kieffer pear variety from the remaining trees of the original 100+ year old orchard that was part of our small 15 acre farm.
I do believe this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen... I'm really so very happy that you are now able to get your lake back and leave this frustrating time behind you. In the end just as in all Fairy Tales you have a Happily Everafter for your lovely lake. I'm sorry you had to go through all of this but just think of all the wonderful new friends and supporters you have now and something tells me the lake and all of the Lovely Land of Lalonde will turn out even more MAGICAL than ever !! 💛🧡💛🧡
oh steff a nee how beautiful thankyou for sharing with us . The peace and tranquility of your lovely wood. The bluebells I am guessing are now nearly blooming. so sorry for the loss of your lake and I hope that you manage to get to a stage where you can reinstate it. you are right to wait and do it properly through the right channels . I had a thought why not while you are waiting clear the lake bed of fallen trees and cut down trees that are growing in the old lake bed so that when you get to the stage where you can reinstate/open the sluice gates the ground of the lake bed is prepared.
Please start a lake fund so that we can donate into that. You need a chapel fund, a lake fund, and a chateau restoration fund as well as your patronages. Please consider doing this. I am sure there are many people who would donate one time and who cannot do the patronage. I hope you will consider this. Love and hugs and keep up the good work!
I love it Stephanie! You always show us the glorious and the very realities of this dreamy chateau. It takes lots of love - passion and money to make this worthy dream come true. Keep going Stephanie!!! Keep going you Beautiful Chatelaine, Lark of the Castle 🏰
Once I have my money saved up for a downpayment to buy a house I am going to become a Patreon. I feel the wonderful work you are doing to preserve history is so important.
I would hire a lawyer and sue that water dept for fraud. Terrible people. They should pay the full price to reinstate the lake. I wish you good luck.
Thank you!
@@TheChateauDiaries That was what I was thinking... I wonder if you can sue them! I know it would be a pain, but you would have a new pond/lake! Talk about getting more subscribers watching the journey! Knowing me I'd shut the gate and fill it back up, take pictures and send it to them!! :) Good luck!!
The lady of the lake
Problem is evidence of what they said. As it was so long ago there is unlikely to be any written evidence and given that they most likely gave just a verbal threat as well. It might be worth contacting other lake owners to see what happened with them. If only verbal, evidence from a number of people would strengthen the allegations. Quite maddening at the injustice.
Good idea.
I would metal detect that lake, never know what treasures were thrown/lost in the lake 😱😍
Great idea Wow- 😍
Good idea :D
Yes! That'd be a fantastic video!
They could collaborate with a metal detecting channel. That would be wonderful.
Wouldn’t surprise me if somebody’s already been at that already. Maybe, that’s what’s really behind the water shenanigans.
You might want to have a metal detector swing over the areas where people frequented. You just might find historical items just off shore in the soil.
Pleeeeeease, invest in a metal detector, and whilst the lake is dry go over the whole thing, and all the lands over the years. You will find some amazing treasures I’m sure
Louise weezy , I totally agree ! People throw “stuff” in lakes, .. to hide it. Or simply, make it disappear.
Yes!!! I only saw this vid now. You will find amazing items under the soil. It will be a piece of history in your hand!
Perhaps you can start a GoFund me type campaign to bring the Lake back. I would certainly donate to this. Just to bring the beauty back.
Me too I would definitely do that also.
great idea!
It would work so much quicker. Which your followers want too!
I'm in. 😄
Absolutely , I'd donate as well👍
I hope your lake returns soon - and those officials set sail upon it in a suitably leaky boat!
😂😂😂 It was only a metre deep, but that would be a pleasant sight!
I agree!
And another woman will fight for Lalande - it’s both poetic and inspiring.
if you were damaging the land or gutting is he house of its history it would be different, but I see you as saving the history and celebrating the culture.
Julie Hinkel well said. Help the lady of the lake 💛
I watched this episode years ago and seeing it again amazes me because now in 2024 I know how far Lalande has come, you are a miracle woman Stephanie. Brilliant.
Oh my god how wonderful to see that and to hear the determination in your voice that you are finding the strength to take it on board, well done, you are amazing and everyone will be 100% behind you and the journey , I dreamt of seeing the mill house since it would played such an integral part in the workings of Lalande and the bread to feed everybody, the woods and streams are magical, pure joyful magic and I resolve I shall visit one day, congratulations dear girl x
Remember to watch the adverts everybody and support the channel 💜💜💜
Sarah Burton Interesting, I did not know watching the ads helped the channel. Thank you for the info.
I discovered that in order for the UA-camr to get paid for the video to watch the ads instead of skipping them. I let the ads run now.
Yes a lot of us start the video then go and put the kettle on or prepare a glass of wine...
I understand that it’s not the best way to relax and enjoy a good show... in some occasions I think you can forgive yourself for skipping 🧡🌸👍🏻
I feel outrage with you about the lake! Glad I’m a patron.
Thank you so, so much! We’ll find a way to solve this 🙌
Susan R Stephanie. The lady of the lake 💛
Absolutely stunning, can't wait to see the lake back to it's former glory. There is nothing better than the sound of birds, water & the breeze in the trees. Xxx❤️🇬🇧😍
Oh, thank you, Stephanie, for this Sunday walk in the woods! I feel blessed that I am helping, in my small way, to restore this magical place.
Thank you so much! 💛
I think I would have collapsed having been presented with that shocking news, Stephanie. I can't imagine the sleepless nights you would have had hearing that you
had to drain the lake or receive a fine. Thank goodness you did your homework. I'm pleased your are feeling considerably more optimistic. I'm delighted that you
are going to salvage the boathouse. Great having the stream on your property. I love the sound of running water. The possibilities for picnics on the property are
endless. Thanks for including us on the tour.
Darryl
Love how passionate you are in restoring the lake back! Yours is definitely a unique story here in France. Loved knowing that you are receiving support through Patrons!
This is my new happy place on youtube. I like old places, gardens and restorations but what made your channel extra special is your zest and passion. You were giddy when you described the moss covered rocks. The pleasure of simple things:)
I’m so pleased to hear your enthusiasm about the lake,you need to have a huge open day to raise money to start the work on your lake,I’m sure everyone of your fans wishes your every success in getting the lake restored to its former glory x
I am fan of your channel and I also happen to be a policy maker at the European Commission. I can’t help myself but to say that its truly distressing to hear that a meaningful regulatory work gets misinterpreted by the local authorities to the extended that you have experienced.
I wish you all the strength and optimism on your restoration journey! And I am looking forward to see the Chateu Lalande back at its former glory!
I am so happy for you and LaLande that Patreon is doing well ! I hate that they used a scare tactic on you! Shame on them! Your forest is wonderful, my kind of place to take a vacation and hopefully very soon your lake will be back! I have full confidence you will succeed! xxx
Thank you Stephanie for sharing the struggle & injustice you’ve experienced re your beautiful lake. The entire ecosystem there has been altered! Sending strength to you, Lady of the Lake of Lalande💙
Don’t beat yourself up, we all have been taken advantage of by government officials. At least one thing Has come of this is that you have learned, no one will take advantage of you again. ❤️🇨🇦 How lovely your property is 🌺🌺☀️
Yes, you would think what they did would be illegal. But you are so determined I am sure the lake will be back before too long. Wishing you much luck.
Thank you so much Stephanie for this wondrous walking tour of your land. It is truly beautiful. I got involved here with you because of Dan’s vlog, Escape to Rural France. I have been watching your Chateau Diaries from the beginning to try and catch up to where I am with Dan. I am where he redid the pantry for you so I will wait him there while I catch up with you here to the same point. I am having the BEST time watching your vlogs! ! !
What a joy rewatching these and seeing how far things have come in such a short time!!
Stephanie, your story is incredibly compelling. Without realizing it you have created a highly marketable brand for yourself and the chateau. You are sophisticated, well spoken, and knowledgeable on so many subjects. At the same time, your warmth and charisma are front and center in every episode. Truly, the world is your oyster. I see great success ahead for you, financial and otherwise. Well done, you! Please think about writing a book about your chateau experiences. I would be first in line to buy it (on Amazon?). I'm certain it would be a best seller!
What a glorious place you live in; you must feel truly blessed to be the one with your team of trusty friends to be able to restore this back to how it should be. Magnificent well done Stephanie xx
Thank you Stephanie for the tour of the woods/grounds/lake..I was totally mesmerized. I was wondering if on such a huge property were there burial grounds somewhere? how was that done so many, many years ago? I love your ideas and I would love to volunteer. I am totally captivated each time I watch a series. I know things are working for you-as you have such magical manifesting ideas and a really loving heart.
Now I am visiting The Chateau in June for the Photo de Femmes Festival Weekend and I am now a Patreon and also look forward to volunteering too. Plus I am also looking forward to help support a fund to reestablish the Lake! Now I’m able to truly live vicariously through all of the beautiful people of Leland’s!!! Thank you Stephanie for sharing your life with all of us who admire and dream of living in your dream world. Thank you for sharing and letting us be a part of your dream.
You’re definitely one of us, Angela! I’m so excited to meet you at the Photos de Femmes weekend!
This was SO interesting. Thank you.
So so so beautiful. Do'nt give up, it will beyond magical when restored. You are such a very special person. Love and all blessings from South Africa.xxx
I enjoyed our stroll around the lake, this week, and I am convinced that you will manage to put right this terrible wrong - the Lake at Lalande will flourish once again. I am also thrilled that the patreon page is doing so well... it is wonderful to feel a part of the movement to restore the chateau.
Thank you so much!
It’s 3.26am and I have 2 children waking up in 2.5 hours and I can’t stop watching. What a marvellous escapism in this horrible world. You are wonderful! Love Kerri in North Lincolnshire x
New to your channel and so happy for you!!! I can only imagine how devastating this has been for you. Then, the overflowing love and support that has grown around you to lift your spirit and dreams for La Lande! Bless your heart!
Wish I could come help get all of the invasive plants off your property. Especially the ivy, sucking the life from your trees. I'm sure you will have all the help you need as things move forward.
Keep being brave, lady! I realize that a lot of life has happened since this video and I'm a bit late to the game. Much love.
You've got this!
It would be beautiful to also restore the mill and open a cafe and bakery!
Wow, that would be amazing!
do you have a spare half a million Euros?
🙌🏿👍
She should rent that property out when it has been restored... another income stream...
I’m looking forward to the Lalande photo - I plan to frame it and make it a part of my faux chateaux (i.e., my apartment).
Michael Potts is working on it as we speak!
The Chateau Diaries awesome!!
My imagination of the beauty of the lake and chapel, in my mind, does not do it justice. Oh Stephanie, you are so lucky to live in the beauty that surrounds you! I am so happy for you! Once again thank you for your beautiful descriptions of the very special chateau. I so wish I would be here to see the lake, but I am fascinated with the chapel renovation , praying I will see some of it resurrected!
The chapel restoration is due to start next month! The restorer is finishing work on another church at the moment, and we’re next!
@@TheChateauDiaries I know, you mentioned that but I am the one who is dying in Hospice and most likely will miss the beautiful restoration. I would love to see it finished. I am happy to be a part of your wonderful parties, laughter and happiness. I so look forward to the vlogs. Thank you so much for all of your hard work.
This was the best one yet, full of beauty and inspiration. It will be done, for it is meant to be.
A Peaceable Kingdom believe 💙
Yes. . . it provides the viewer with another unfolding layer highlighting the property as well as the history.
Oh Stephanie 💔 I truly pray that the Lake is filled and flourishing in its former state once again. May you have favour and speedy assistance in this endeavor. Looking forward to seeing that vlog. Beautiful blessings Mandy 👑SA
I hate to hear what happened to the lake. That was horrible! As a lover of history, I truly appreciate your enthusiasm for restoring the chateau & surrounding areas. It's just beautiful! Best of luck
Would be interesting if you could run part of the chateau on hydroelectric power. Perhaps there are grants available to do this. It could - in the long run- make rural French areas less expensive to conserve. Have someone from a University that deals with energy and land research come out to advise you on their ideas. Research which would be most receptive to you. Also check with the EU to see what grants they might have for you. Find someone with some power to do this so they don’t mess with you in the future. My old neighborhood has sprouted lots of solar panels because of New York tax incentives. If there isn’t something on the books in France or the EU perhaps a group of landowners can do this together to benefit all.
I do need to spend time looking into this properly
The best person to ask how to do that is dick strawbridge he did that when he had a farm house in the uk 🇬🇧
There needs to be a good flow and a good drop in the stream for that. I believe Hydro Power is not at all viable here, unfortunately.
That little stream cannot power anything.
Edit: Except a mill apparently, lol.
the tessellater there are water turbines that will operate very efficiently with only a couple of meters drop but as things are now it seems unlikely it would be allowed. I do hope she gets her lake back
I felt so much peace watching this video and I'm so proud to be one of your supporters.
Thank you, thank you!
Oh Stephane your determination is Grand! The work done so far I have NO trepanations the lake will become what was!!!!!!!!!
Your positive attitude is so inspiring! Your woods are glorious! You are not alone anymore dear Stephanie, I am sure your lake will be restored xx
This has got to be one of my favorite videos of the Chateau. I adored seeing your fairy woodland and enchanted by the meandering streams that wind across your land. As a gardener I would love it if you would share a video of your bluebell wood if you get them back this year. And I pray that you will succeed in your quest to have the lake restored as it will be the crowning glory to your landscape.
Stephanie, I can’t wait for the day you get to fill the lake! It will happen! Thank you for all those wonderful vlogs! They bring me joy! 🥰🏰🦚🦚🦔🐓🐑💙
Congratulation and God speed on all of your projects. You are doing such a great job.
It is not often I would listen to someone talking through a programme but you stephanie are very passionate an determined and that is what comes through apart from your wonderful sense of humour x
Always look forward to your videos! Thank you!!!❤️👍😘💋
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I am watching this a year later than I originally did. It is amazing and very gratifying to see the tremendous progress you have made on the Chateau in that year.
Yep she means business she has her beret on.
Lovley woods, streams, wetland, rocks, moss and lots of fairy things❣️
So proud of you, persevere and I have faith you will find yourself spending hours in your lovely lake😘
Watching that video is so soothing! Just hearing the sound of the leaves crackling and the water makes you feel like you're there! Magical!
I am a bit of an ostrich myself. I need to change my ways and deal with things properly that are bothering me. Don't worry, Stephanie. We all make mistakes and there is a way out. I hope you can sue them.
Your chateaux is so lovely and I’m sure it will be even more perfect once your lake is restored. I’m so sorry you were tricked into draining it and hope it is full once again. Thank you again for such wonderful entertainment and information!
Love the walk around the lake! I was wondering if there was an old mill on your property that could be used to produce electricity. I grew up on a farm with hydroelectric power. My father had 3 water turbines (use depending on water volume) to heat the house and provide all the hot water. It was something that he was very passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about. So much so that he started a waterwheel and turbine users association with members all over Ireland.
I'm sure that there would be some sort of EU grant for renewable energy that you could apply for. However getting your beautiful lake back to it's former glory is of greater priority and I have no doubt that you will achieve this!!
Keep fighting and don't let the b*****ds get you down!!
I find it heartbreaking to think that they felt it right to bully you like that. How could anybody be so evil. Hopefully the new lake will be a triumph in adversity. Believe in you Stephanie!
Thank you for the beautiful walk and sharing your story about the lake.
I’m so glad you have found the strength and the ability to begin to regain the Chateau’s lake. Just on a different note I do marvel at how quickly the lake can be drained and flooded - small but stunning example engineering ingenuity that works with nature. Also how quickly nature as reclaimed the lake bed to create a new ecosystem to replace the former lake ecosystem. The Chateau is full of wonder both natural and man made.
Rewatching this episode again 💙💜💛
That was the most beautiful vlog and you will get enough money to bring the lake back to life xxx
It is clear you wish to preserve not only die Chateau of LaLande, but also everything that forms part of this land, its history, its beauty and its culture. And you are doing it so well. You are very much committed to this beautiful place you call home. The woods are magical and everything you showed us brings this place back alive in our minds! Thank you for sharing. And we agree you must take up the good fight and bring LaLande's lake back to its former glory again! It is the right thing to do!!
Without optimism, we can't achieve anything in life. You're awesome
Hello from Australia, all my family have been to France and love it. I'm 70 now I have dreamed of going there. But alas! Thankyou for your documentary. I wish you put episode 1, 2 etc I wanted to start from the beginning. But that's ok! Thankyou for the beautiful walk through your enchanted woods. I write and paint ( not professionally) so my imagination went wild. Thankyou my dear sweet lady.
Love Juliana.
With the lake back your woods will become thick and strong again. As well your wildlife will thrive.
I am so glad you have enough support, now, to be able to begin imagining that you will reclaim LaLande’s lake! You deserve all of this, and I am certain you will succeed. You are so wonderful to LaLande, and I feel that she loves you and is very grateful. This all is a joy to observe.
I will definately come and stay one day . I'm a landscape painter. I would just looove to paint there. The stream and woods. Omg. What inspiration!!
That would be lovely!
Amazing news! Congratulations! I really hope you get the lake back soon 😃 And maybe you should see a lawyer about that water dept....
I wish I could physically walk with you through your beautiful land experiencing the sights and smells and hear you talk about all the interesting information and stories you have to share. Thank you for sharing your heart and life that is so encouraging as well as interesting.
love how positive you are about what happened, that positivity and love for that place is going to male you success and have back the historic lake....i definitilly support you as many people. Hope also authorities pay back to you for the damage.
Watching this and knowing where you are now with such progress puts a big smile on this face🤗
Stephanie I know you will succeed in getting the lake back again to its former self. If you need a signed petition then I am sure your can count us as your supporters to help through this horrible bungle. One cannot imagine what you have gone through. Shame on those that did this to you. But upwards and onwards Stephanie and your determination will see you through. Take care and all the best till next time.
Oh I’ve been waiting yo find out more about this mystery xx
I am impressed by the story of the lake and the history LaLande. I thought (I only looked at a few vlogs) it was all about guests, the garden and decorations.. I was wrong. . Reliving this beautiful property to what it deserves is so much more.
Be brave! You’ll get the lake back and it will be glorious
I stumbled upon these videos and I feel I have fallen into my dream as well! Ahhh! I love your passion for everything about this Chateau and all that it is the land and all of its magical history, the plants and tress, streams and such💖 i love lying on my hammock looking up i to my trees branches as well listening to the sounds of the birds, feeling the soft breeze of the feathery leaves . Such a beautiful place i feel your passion for it all it brings me to tears thank you for sharing! I would be in heaven to live in such a place! I hope to visit one day!
We truly love the Chateau Diaries! Merci beaucoup!
Bless you Stephanie and the mission you face for justice and to restore your lake 🧡💛❤️♥️💜💙
The lady of the lake 💙
I wish you the very best of luck in your grand fight against bureaucracy!! You are very lucky to speak fluent French, I would also get your amazing mother involved, take her with you to your appointments and to see the mayor. She has the feistiness to take them on!! I guess you would be unable to use the site of the mill and all the old watercourses to have a small hydro electric power source to power your wonderful chateau!!! I follow you vlogs as I adore old houses that need love and attention. We are almost at the end of our restoration, a small farm in the Veneto area of Italy. Along the lagoon from Venice. Bought by us when we fell in love with a direct farm building with very little roof left. Sadly most of its land was sold by the family, but the fields surround it still. I look forward to the day I move there long term. Fight the good fight you will succeed! There is an appeal process for everything, you never know they may chip in to reinstate the rest of your old moats....
Thank you. Your home sounds wonderful, I love Venice and the Veneto 💛
Oh my word this will be glorious again!
Take a closer look at the stone walls. Maybe you will find a treasure hidden from the past. Many history stories tell of them being a good spot to hide things. Beautiful as always. 💟☮️
would be a shame to disturb the rocks - as Stephanie said, they are an eco system in themselves, a habitat for all sorts of fauna no doubt.
Nothing short of amazing Stephanie!!! The property is just breathtaking and hope that you are able to restore the lake to its former glory very soon. I wish you the very best of luck!!. Love your vlogs. You should have your own tv series, so, so entertaining. xx
That's so upsetting. I hope you get your lake back!
Can't wait to see the lake restored! I would suggest stocking it with fish again of several varieties so that you can grant yearly fishing licenses for a fee to help pay for its restoration & future projects. Perhaps have a yearly fishing tournament like we do here in the states. Such tournaments are good business for the community & would benefit the Chateau, as well. You mentioned a flourish of bluebells in one of the woods around the Chateau. Might I also suggest obtaining bulk amounts of other flowering bulbs & rhizomes and planting them in patches along some new trails around the lake now so that by the time the lake is restored, you'll have some beautifully-flowering walking/riding paths all around the lake for people to enjoy. Restoration of the lake could allow you to install water turbines & generators at the spillway, the old mill & the spillway. The generators could produce enough energy to supply all the electrical needs for the Chateau. You can use some of the old stones to build housing for the generators. Imagine the savings on the monthly electrical bill...or, perhaps you might wind up selling electricity back to the government! Tell your mom I am very jealous of all the rose cuttings Michael gave her. I'm hoping to do a rose garden for my mother, but I will have to start off very small. I'm in the process of trying to propagate old Texas fig cuttings & resurrecting an original Texas Kieffer pear variety from the remaining trees of the original 100+ year old orchard that was part of our small 15 acre farm.
I'm so glad to finally know what happened. Much blessings on your lake!
You might also want to do a sky veiw with a drone for court proceedings to get a birdseye veiw of the beautiful property
So sad! I hope you can restore this lake one day!
I do believe this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen... I'm really so very happy that you are now able to get your lake back and leave this frustrating time behind you. In the end just as in all Fairy Tales you have a Happily Everafter for your lovely lake.
I'm sorry you had to go through all of this but just think of all the wonderful new friends and supporters you have now and something tells me the lake and all of the Lovely Land of Lalonde will turn out even more MAGICAL than ever !!
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I look forward to following your journey of restoring the lake to its former glory!
Best wishes.
oh steff a nee how beautiful thankyou for sharing with us . The peace and tranquility of your lovely wood. The bluebells I am guessing are now nearly blooming.
so sorry for the loss of your lake and I hope that you manage to get to a stage where you can reinstate it. you are right to wait and do it properly through the right channels . I had a thought why not while you are waiting clear the lake bed of fallen trees and cut down trees that are growing in the old lake bed so that when you get to the stage where you can reinstate/open the sluice gates the ground of the lake bed is prepared.
Quite possibly my favorite vlog by Stephanie til date. Beautiful and hope.
Please start a lake fund so that we can donate into that. You need a chapel fund, a lake fund, and a chateau restoration fund as well as your patronages. Please consider doing this. I am sure there are many people who would donate one time and who cannot do the patronage. I hope you will consider this. Love and hugs and keep up the good work!
I love it Stephanie! You always show us the glorious and the very realities of this dreamy chateau. It takes lots of love - passion and money to make this worthy dream come true.
Keep going Stephanie!!! Keep going you Beautiful Chatelaine, Lark of the Castle 🏰
Bon courage. If anyone can reinstate the lake it is you, Stephanie.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I have faith that the lake will be restored!
That's very true we must have hope and fight for what is yours!! And don't give up!
Once I have my money saved up for a downpayment to buy a house I am going to become a Patreon. I feel the wonderful work you are doing to preserve history is so important.
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It shows how some authorities are corrupt, see what a lawyer says re compansation. Im off work today, so this was a delight to watch 💛
Just beautiful..... you must fill that lake again .....sending you Girl Power !!!
Good luck sweet Lady ❣️
You are always so positive and encouraging!