FULL TOUR: Our abandoned French House, we put all our dreams in here. Maison De Maître | Episode 11
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- Опубліковано 9 гру 2023
- In today's video Becs takes us on a tour of the big Maison de Maître (Master's house) reliving all the emotions and dreams we had when we first saw the place, and decided to take the leap and spend our life savings on it.
Come inside, and see the state of our house, formerly the pride of the bourgeoisie, but now sadly left empty for over half a century.
Stick around for the surprise in the last room.
Jack also wraps up his window install, with the final fit!
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I wish I was richer and younger so I could do a renovation in France. What a dream. I think it is just fabulous that people ARE able to bring those abandoned and sad properties back to life, it's really wonderful.
Haha we're doing it, and still wish we were richer and younger! Would definitely make things a bit easier. 😅 Definitely feels like a dream though.
OK, the lizard sold me! I just found your channel by accident. I enjoy watching a fair number of "expats renoing French properties" and the one common denominator is the warmth, charm and likeability of the new owners. I'm 86, a widow living in a suburb of New York City and my late husband was the ultimate DIYer. There was nothing he couldn't build or fix, and no job too big to tackle. And no, we didn't have much money either. It gives me great pleasure watching young people making new memories similar to my own. I can't wait to catch up with your earlier videos.
We absolutely love how international our audience is so a very warm welcome to you! And we especially love people who have done similar things before us leaving your comments of encouragement and wisdom, it really means a lot! I hope you also enjoy the other videos.
Congratulations, what a wonderful purchase! Lotsa work but will be a dream come true when you're finished. And you probably saved that lizard's life. It may have been stuck in the sink and you reached it just in time! Many blessings for a spectacular journey XOX
It's definitely a dream right now, so a dream come true sounds perfect. 😍 Thanks!
Your video just popped up in my feed. Great video and I'm looking forward to following along with your adventure from Reno, Nevada USA. I absolutely love seeing such historic places be brought back to life. Best of luck you you all. 😊
Ditto from Canada.
That's amazing that this is travelling all the way to the USA! We have travelled the US twice, once without kids and once with, both times we stayed for awhile in Nevada, absolutely love it. Thanks so much for the luck, we definitely need it!
I live in Grain Valley, Missouri. The US. It is a suburb of Kansas City. I just had this pop up and enjoyed watching. Thank you
Well done on getting the window in! Thanks also for the amusing tour of your big house with its colourful history and hidden treasures.
Cheers! Jack was beyond pleased to have that window sorted 😅 Glad you enjoyed the tour 😊
Caution: that green room near the front door might be painted with arsenic paint. It was a fashion during the earlier years of this house's life. Often, the lady-of-the-house sat around all day, every day in the "good room" slowly being poisoned by the air she was breathing. Perhaps the toxicity might have contributed to the previous owners apparently losing their grip. Might be time for expert advice. Good luck ☺
Thanks for the tip, we’ll definitely be testing it before we get into work in the place!
Oh you can Definitely do this! You’re both young and strong and determined. It will be a fantastic house and home! There is much to do but there is Nothing you can’t do here! We’re 71 now but at 23 we bought a house so cheap and so wrecked that my mother cried when she saw it, but I saw it completely differently. We continuously renovated each room, one room at a time. But first we cleaned out a few rooms just to live in them. The biggest issue is getting your electric and water workable. That’s a huge cost. For now just patch up the roof and later get it redone. You two can absolutely do this! I’m so happy I found you and can watch your progress. I’m now going to watch the rest of your videos. I am thrilled for you. You will not regret this. ❤❤❤
Thank for sharing your story too Kathy, it's really so encouraging to hear from people who have done it before and are still standing, very motivational!!
Amazing. So looking forward to watching the transformation of your beautiful Maison. ❤🇦🇺
G’day! We’re stoked to have you along for the ride! ❤️
Just found your channel today, after I asked our viewers what UA-cam channels they followed who, like us, lived in France and renovating their homes. So here a new subscriber. And what a lovely maison the maitre 🥰 after all the renovation. But the bones are now already pretty.
Hey! It's always awesome to connect with other people doing the same thing, whereabouts in France are you? We'll have to do some catch up on your channel too!
@@growinginfrance where a little bit more south in the lot and Garonne area. You are in the Charente I saw on one of the first videos you made?
Oh cool, we spent a summer down in Duravel in the Lot-et-Garonne. It's really nice around there! Yep, we're in the Charente. Drop us an email if you're ever coming our way! (On the channel page)@@petitrevefrance
Yes I know duravel it's an hour more east of us.
I saw you have also instagram so followed that account to. Never been in the charente.
As it's an old house, you need to remove the external plaster to keep the stones/ walls breathing. Then, you insulate the walls from inside but if you want to keep the house healthy, never used "parepluie" nor "pare vapeur".
Thanks for the advice! Always love to get tips like this.
@@growinginfrancedo the pointing of each stone then, you fill up the in between stone gap with a specific mortar.
For the internal insulation, don't use the "Laine de verre" or "ouate de cellulose", use instead some alternative insulating material which you buy in 20cm large and you Criss cross each layer for ending with a 40 cm insulation (or twice 15 cm) then, you do the usual internal altering. The fact you Criss cross each layer, you don't need "pare vapour". The insulation key is to give humidity to pass trough the wall.
For windows, look at alternative suppliers than french ones. Look at Germany or even Polska which are specialized in triple or even quadrupled glazing.
For insulation of your roof, do the same cross crossing layer of insulation with twice 20 cm then, plastering. You will be perfect
Good luck to you
@@annieterminetschuppon7232 Wow, what a well of knowledge, thanks again! 🙏
The ladybugs in new home that is good luck.😊👍
Love you guys - Team work makes dreams work and you two are such a team!
Thanks! We definitely could not do this alone! 😂😂
Hi from Nelson NZ, looking forward to seeing more videos, it’s gonna be great 😊
Welcome aboard! We could do with a bit of Nelson sunshine right now 😅
It's so important to feel like you belong in the house you buy. There are plenty of people renovating chateaus that you can learn from.
You’re spot on there, we’re always watching other channels hoping to pick up a thing or two!
Really enjoy your videos. From 🇨🇦 The house is a huge undertaking for renovations, but as an interior decorator, I see the vision. I get emotional about my home, too. My UK cousin and his partner bought a villa in France too. No idea where it is. But it is also a big reno. Good luck.
Thanks Sandie ! It is certainly going to be a big job but hopefully by the time we get into it we’ll know exactly what we want, and at least a little better, what we’re doing 😅
What an amazing house. It’s going to be gorgeous when you’re done.
Thanks! We hope so!
That chateau is solid as far as the floors and stairs goes 😊👍
Yes she is! It’s quite incredible really.
Congratulations and I wish you guys many years of happiness there with your family.😊❤️
Thanks!
So interesting! We did the exact same renovation to a Maison de Maitre 18 years ago. We are still in it and still renovating! Its like painting the Forth Bridge, you finish and then have to start again! The French government are offering insulation for 1 euro which we took advantage of this year, plus paying towards windows and heating a good plan to look into. Looking forward to following you. We wish you luck in your new adventure :0)
Wow good on you! So we’ve plenty to look forward to then 😅 what kind of insulation did you get? Just in the ceiling or have you added a layer to the walls?
Kia ora guys so nice to see a family from NZ
Kia Ora Karmen! 🥝
Hi, you're a young couple I'm very sure that with love and determination there is nothing impossible, maybe difficult. I have see how proud are you of each other, the way as you look each other so don't be scare, in the difficult moments, just watch your children playing happily with no fear, because they trust you that will be your strength. By the way your got a new subscriber. Greetings and don't give up.
Thanks Tony! Great to have you along for the ride 😁
I totally agree. Your love for each other abd family and the place is wonderful to see. Your attitude to all problems is a credit to you. Your a joy to watch and share ypur adventure with. All the very best of health wealth abd strength and love. Dream life xx
Thank you! This is such a sweet comment, you've made our day @@listening500
I love your home. It is going to be amazing!
I've just found you guys. You were at 1,33 when I subscribed and now,after binge watching, you are at 1,41. Wish you the best, love your videos.
We are so excited to see how this video has reached so many people and sparked so much conversation, this is why we wanted to share our story and journey in the first place! So thank you so much for being here, it really means a lot, and we can't wait to share much, much more.
Sometimes houses (Old houses in particular) choose their new owners themselves, not the other way around. Be always respectful, and listen to what the house will tell you. Yes, houses do have souls, believe me. Then the house will be a home to you and your family. All the best .... Greets H.
Thank you so much for your comment, we very much agree. This house feels like it has very gentle soul. It will be magical to live in her once again, we feel like she deserves it!
I believe you're the right couple to bring to fruition to this home. Lucky you!
We hope you're right! 😅
Beautiful 😍 I wish I was there .
I loved your video it is very beautiful your home....keep going your dreams will materialize ❤❤
Thank you so much! We hope so! ❤❤
What a beautiful house. Congratulations! The surprise room is fabulous 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much! Lovely to have a little taste of what is to come!
Glad to see that the window frame fits and just needs to be secured and some caulk around the outside to make it weather tight and on the inside and window put in.👍
Hey becs, I’ve followed your journey, and I said to my wife, how do I know these people. It took me some time before my best friend turned up in Nz today to say hey Rob that’s the photographer in Bordeaux remember. So nice to see your channel we have also just brought a property in the south of France be keen to catch up again, ps you were right on the best angle shot at chateau de la cote (July 2023)
Hey!!! Small world isn’t it! That’s amazing that you have bought! Yes please keep in touch - Instagram is good. I know you had big plans for doing something here in France, good luck with your new adventure!!
Nice comment, Rob, and Becs, if you can make me look half good in a photograph (which you did), the house will be wonderful.
This is wonderful, I am delighted for you both. I love every inch of this fabulous home. Enjoy your journey with this home, you can do it. 💕💕💕
Thanks for the support! 😍
So excited for you!! 🎉 good idea to get your renovation skills string before you start your new house 🎉🎉🎉
Yes! Thank you! We're definitely gonna need the practice! 😅
I just found your channel and subscribed. I'm going to love watching the renovations. Much love from Oklahoma USA Jackie 🇺🇸💖
Hi Jackie, it's great to have you here!
Its beautiful. A lot of work; look forward to progress and saving the beautiful building. Magic.
SO much work 😬 Most of it really is a pleasure though. We know we are so lucky to call this house ours. We are looking forward to progress too! Great to have you here.
Okay, I'm game! Count me in!. What a wonderful thing to do, the windows in this this mansion are stunning. The renovation room oh my God I'm going to follow you .
Awesome, great to have you along for the ride!
Kia ora!! I’ve just stumbled on your video and recognised the accent 😊
Can’t wait to follow your reno! Keep up the awesome mahi. 🙌🏼
(BTW, the music is fine).
Kia Ora! Awesome! We’re glad you like the tunes 😁
Congratulations on your new home! The lady bugs and salamander are good luck. Enjoy! Keep us updated. Sending you love from Texas.
Love all the way from Texas! That means it's big love right? 😉 Thanks for the support.
That is a plus you can hear your kids playing that way you know they are safe and having fun!!! 😊👍❤️
I know, such a treat ❤️
Nice house, looking forward to seeing it in its full glory!
So are we! Haha fingers crossed we can pull it off
I’m with you on the style! It is gorgeous. Greetings from so Fl. Congrats and pace yourselves. You have to take it slow and enjoy the process! Very rewarding to renovate a home can’t even imagine how awesome a house like this could be…staircase is unreal…and feeling good vibe in the house …Happy Christmas! p.s. what region of France and give us your background
Greetings back to your from France, we are in the Charente. We definitely have lot's more to share on this channel, for now our other video, Vlog 6, has a little about why we bought this house, ua-cam.com/video/2IR5axpwsTY/v-deo.html. It really will be a pleasure to work on this house and hopefully restore her back to her former glory. Merry Christmas 🎄
Merry Christmas!
The lizard likes that spot where he can get water and some sun.😊👍
Yes, he was so much happier. Hopefully found a good place for winter now!
Oh wow that room is very beautiful and has been renovated.👍
Thank you ☺️
i would absolutely love to have a personal project like this ❤
Yeah definitely keeps us busy and dreaming! ❤️
At my 50's bought 120 yo neglected house in Illinois, US during economic downturn. Like you feel the house builds me up, hugs me but have been living in the garage apartment as quickly became disabled and all the stuff I planned to do was physically impossible. Local contractors are sloppy, expensive and disrespectful of Dove so has been hard and taken more than 10 yrs and still not in her. Dove is much smaller and I don't have kids at home anymore ( for better and worse). Wish you the best.
If there was ever a state for second chances, it’s Illinois ! Thanks for sharing your story, hope things take a turn for the better 🙏
Good luck on the renovations.👍
Thank you!!
I’m going to really enjoy your journey! Good luck from Canada.
Thanks so much, it's great to have you following along!!
What an incredible project, this house is going to be amazing.
Thanks, we believe she's got potential!
I know exactly what you are going through. Been in France for 18 years and never looked back. Your house is beautiful. Just remember it’s the journey. Your garden will be amazing also. So far so good🥂👍
Ps there have been lots of ladybugs this year..
Wow 18 years, I hope we've got the garden under control by then! 😅 Thanks for the support, we'll definitely try to make sure we enjoy every part of the journey. 🐞🐞🐞
This is a beautiful home....I love France...my son has duel citizenship ..he was born there in Orleans...where Joan of Arc made her famous crossing...it will so amazing when you 2 finish with it...a mansion...
Dual citizenship must be awesome, that’s our goal! We certainly hope it gets there
I am so glad I I just come across your channel today today is 12 /15/ 2023 that is going to be a beautiful home when you're finished congratulations and I have subscribed can't wait to see more
Thanks Becky, so glad to have you here for the journey! ☺️
Congratulations and continued success.
Thank you!
Be safe and careful.😊👍🙏
Thank you, we do our best 🙏
Have a Merry Christmas.😊🎅🌲
Same to you! Enjoy yourself 🎄🎄
I spend lots of time looking at French houses online. Well done for following your dream. Arohanui
Thanks! 🤩
Those are very nice french doors and still in great condition.😊
Yes they are! We hope to save and restore as much as possible, keep it as original as possible. But warm and liveable too.
The joists in the attic are in great condition and the 2 rooms just need cleaning up and I would leave Jesus where he was at that is good luck too.😊🙏
Yes! There is very little structural problems, just need to move a few roof tiles around to fix the leek I think! A bit of elbow grease, we’ll be in by Xmas next year 😂 - one can dream! Thanks for your comment and the luck 😊
The spider is harmless but he will be relocated I am sure back outside where he belongs.😊
Haha yes, him and the lizard both! I have learnt to accept the spiders though, apparently we absolutely must share a living space 😅
Hi from NZ, just found your channel and subscribed. Your property looks lovely. We have a very small house in Pays de La Loire we bought during lockdown, as one does 😅. We’ll get back there for a couple of months next year, can’t wait.
Wow that’s awesome, will you be sharing your adventures on here?
@@growinginfrance I don’t think, we’ll just be holidaying with our boys, and I’ll be brocanting, can’t wait! Missed out on going this year due to husband’s ongoing cancer treatment so we have a lot of bottled up longing for France!
Oh gosh that doesn't sound fun. Hope the treatment goes well and you can both be brocanting in the sun soon! ❤️
Thanks @@growinginfrance
Kiwis!
Haha Yep, you got us! 🥝 🇳🇿 🥝
I'm so glad you found Jesus.... LOL!!
😂 wasn’t expecting to find him there of all places!
Honestly it will work out better and maybe cheaper to renovate this house with bare walls rather than a house where you have to lift floors and replaster existing ones. This way you can to the first fix with no worries as long as the roof is ok? I live in a similar house but bigger and it needs everything doing to it.
Yes, we agree, the fact that it hasn't been renovated since it was first built is actually a relief! The house that we are living in (the joined longere) was very badly renovated and it all has to be replaced (current project). We would also like to be very sympathetic to the original Maison de Maitre style with our renovation when we do get to it and it's nice to be able to see it! Are you also in France? Best of luck with your renovation, hope to see you in the comment section again, I'm sure you will have lots of advice. ✨
Great video guys. You are braver than us for sure, but your home will look even more stunning when finished. What editing software do you use? We use iMovies and although easy to use, is quite limited in terms of fancy stuff 👍
Thanks! Hope it does. 😅All our other videos were in Premiere Pro, but this one was in DaVinci Resolve, wanted to try it out, and we're sold. Much faster and easier to use. Probably a little bit of a learning curve from iMovie, but that's what youtube is for haha.
@@growinginfrance nice one. Is it expensive?
There’s a free version which is great, that’s what we used for this video but it needs a decently powerful computer otherwise it will be slow and frustrating (same with premiere pro)
@@growinginfrance that’s good to know as I was about to buy the full version. We have an iMac so hopefully it will do the job. Do you know what additional stuff it does than iMovies? Sorry for the questions but I really enjoy the post production 🇫🇷
No worries at all, we're all doing the same thing, might as well help each other out! It lets you do anything you can imagine, they make Oscar winners with it. 😉
Wonderful Maison de Maitre! Which agent helped you find it?
Did you search in a specific area , or did you let this house find you?
In 2-3 years I hope to be able to do the same move. Merry Christmas from Sweden 🇸🇪
🎄🎅🏻 Marie 😊
We actually found this one quite serendipitously, so I guess it found us! We were on our way to see another house, and stumbled across this one. It wasn't even listed online! We tell the full story here: ua-cam.com/video/2IR5axpwsTY/v-deo.html
We were sold this one specific area in the charente though, so searched in a pretty tight radius.
Congratulations. Do you get a building inspection first.
Thanks! Yes, we sure do. It's a standard part of the house purchase process here in France so we got a very detailed report. Good bones, confirmed!
Just foundyou! Subscribed immediatly. I love that you feel goed in the house and it gives good vibes and you feel that its your house. First signs that you and the house really belong together! Christ will bring you good juju! Looks like you need a new roof. Please remove that seventies chandelier. Its hidious and does not suit your beautiful house!
Haha, it needs a proper chandelier doesn't it! Thank you for following along, it's great to have you here 😊
If I could find a place there in France for $10 to $12k I would buy it.😊👍
Yes, I think we all would 😉 we found the reality of “buy cheap property in France” was very different… we thought we’d get much more bang for our buck than we did. we could’ve, but we would have compromised on location, proximity to transport etc… keep an eye out though, what was important to us might not be for you, and you might find a gem!
The place needs work but none of what I saw was bad.👍
Exactly our thoughts!
That green might have arsenic! Always test for lead and asbestos as well!
We’ve had the place tested for lead and asbestos when we bought it (it’s part of the standard purchase process here) but that’s a good point about the scheele’s green! Thanks for the heads up 🙏
In France look out for Mérule fungus in wood.
ohh what does it look like? We definitely have some interesting things growing and living where they shouldn't! I'll have to google it. Thanks for the tip!
Try looking it up, if you find any then the wood will have to be burnt. Some years ago a young man bought a lovely chateau and on inspection all the wood structure under the lovely plaster ceilings was full of it and he had to gut the chateau ! It can hide in out of way places. I really hope that you don't have any ! Looking forward to watching your vlog. I live about 1 h 40 from you, near Perigueux. @@growinginfrance
@@TheFiown OOh no, that must have been awful! 🙈 Thanks again for the tip!
Another comment. Who knew Natalie Dormer and Orlando Bloom were going to renovate a house together in France?🤣
🤣🤣🤣
Are you both from new Zealand
Jack is Kiwi born and bred, I (Becs), was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in New Zealand from the age of 10. So my accent can be a bit all over the place sometimes!
Upvc windows???
Yes, in the longere (current reno and what you see at the end of this video). Not sure what we will do in the big house. The current windows are beautiful, they just need to be double glazed somehow!
Love the salon but the modern chandelier has to go ,sorry but looks so wrong.Make good the leaks in the Maison to allow it to start drying out.
Yeah the chandelier has been pretty divisive! 😂 It's not wired in, was simply hung there for the shoot on the day. 👌
What part of France are you guys in?
In the Charente (16)
Do you have land with this house ?
The house sits on 1/2 acre and then there are two other smaller pieces of land that are over the road, next to the river. I thought it wasn't a lot at first, but it keeps us much too busy!! Really looking forward to landscaping and incorporating much more vegetables and fruit trees!
Europen ladybugs are a pest, they are orange more than the deep red in Aust and NZ, they are also in the USA and will takeover, eat curtains soft furnishings, and stain walls/wallpaper. What a Nice home.
Thanks for the info! They can live there while we don't, and then they will have to be relocated! Just like Jeromy the spider 🕷️😂
Lady bugs are a sign of good things! I know bcuz the very same day I got a lady bug tattoo, I had one visit me! Definitely throw out that idol of Christ! The Scriptures tell us that YHWH-God hates all idols. He is a Spirit and should be worshiped in Spirit and in Truth. Make happy family and friends memories in our new home ... TO BE CONTINUED!!!!💝
Music is toooo loud
Thanks for the feedback!
Music is very annoying
Thanks for the feedback!
It's only a flesh wound...lol poor Jesus
Tis but a scratch! 😂
@@growinginfrance lol
Why must you play music. Trying to watch and the music is distracting me. 😢
Yes, you really don't need the music. Lovely place. Good luck!
Thanks for the feedback!
Thé music is a perfect background👍
My vote is no to the music. Love the vlog.
Grouch
I live in home like this and comunists torn that down
We're so sorry to hear this 😢