Lionel and Claire Cherruault, a couple seeking a tranquil escape from bustling London, purchased a seemingly idyllic 20-room French château for the astonishingly low price of £900,000, equivalent to the cost of a small flat in their former city. Their dream of a fairytale existence in the picturesque, three-story palace, complete with eight bedrooms, a private chapel, and nearly three acres of land, quickly transformed into a chilling reality as they confronted the challenges of maintaining a vast, dilapidated property in the face of harsh French winters. The charming exterior belied the freezing interior, demanding exorbitant heating costs that threatened to derail their idyllic vision.
The couple’s initial enchantment with the château soon gave way to the harsh realities of its condition. Winter proved an unrelenting adversary, driving the heating bill to a staggering £6,000 in just three months. The relentless cold permeated every corner of the sprawling structure, forcing the couple to adopt a near-permanent state of bundled attire, even resorting to wearing hats and beanies in bed. The vastness of the château became a source of constant concern, with Lionel, a former Royal photographer, admitting to moments of doubt and the temptation to sell. Despite the initial allure of the property, the sheer scale of the undertaking began to weigh heavily on the couple.
Amidst the arctic conditions within their home, Lionel and Claire sought solace in small comforts. The warmth of their two dogs and cats became a cherished source of heat, transforming them into living hot water bottles on cold evenings. A portable gas heater, affectionately dubbed their “third dog” due to its constant presence, offered a mobile source of warmth, trailing the couple as they navigated the frigid rooms. Evenings were spent huddled beneath duvets in front of a crackling fire, a fleeting respite from the pervasive chill. The couple’s resilience shone through, finding moments of joy and connection despite the formidable challenges.
Driven by necessity and a desire to mitigate the crippling heating costs, Lionel and Claire embarked on a series of experiments. The purchase of six oil radiators, intended to provide a more cost-effective heating solution, backfired, resulting in a monthly electricity bill of nearly £500. With the approach of Christmas, the couple intensified their search for a viable heating solution, determined to spare their visiting friends and family from the icy grip of the château’s interior. Their determination to create a welcoming atmosphere, despite the persistent cold, underscored their commitment to making the best of their challenging situation.
Beyond the immediate struggle with heating, the couple faced the daunting task of renovating their three-story home, a project estimated to cost close to £100,000. Undeterred by the financial burden, they embraced a hands-on approach, documenting their renovation journey on their YouTube channel. The arduous process yielded unexpected treasures, including a trove of 19th-century books and historic photographs discovered in one of the outbuildings, offering glimpses into the château’s rich past. One photograph, believed to depict a young boy informing the previous occupants of the outbreak of World War I, added a poignant layer to the unfolding narrative of their home.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Claire maintained a sense of wonder and gratitude for their extraordinary home. The surreal experience of returning from mundane errands to the grandeur of the château served as a constant reminder of their unique circumstances. Summer offered a welcome reprieve from the cold, allowing the couple to embrace outdoor living, hosting friends for dinners and enjoying long evenings filled with conversation and laughter. As Christmas approached, Claire eagerly anticipated decorating the house with greenery from the garden and creating a cozy atmosphere for their holiday gathering, demonstrating their unwavering spirit and determination to transform their arctic nightmare into a warm and inviting home.
