Passionate about history, culture and heritage, my father took my mother, my brother and me on a crazy Vendée adventure in 1978 with the idea of reviving this old medieval fortress that had been asleep for many years, waiting for its prince charming!
"I'll never set foot in there," my mother said, seeing the devastated state of the entire property. I was 10 years old, and my shock was just as great.
And yet, faced with my father's contagious enthusiasm, we each worked alongside him to bring about today the rebirth of this historic landmark of the Vendée bocage.
My father's initial idea was to rediscover a family estate lost over time by his Bordeaux ancestors. At the time, we divided our time between Paris and the Vendée region. The work was extensive, and although each year another room was brought back to life, it was financially difficult to accelerate or expand the immense and ambitious renovation already undertaken!
It was in 1995 that I first suggested to my parents the idea of moving into this château in the Vendée region to develop a bed and breakfast. I was 24 years old and had just graduated with a degree in art history. This new challenge delighted my mother, who was finishing a wonderful career in international public relations with the L'Oréal group. Communication being her forte, numerous articles were published, and our clientele grew year after year. Every room in the château became a treasure trove.
I took over the entire estate after the death of my parents and I continue with the same passion and love for heritage, this wonderful family adventure!