courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
I can’t remember how I found @chateaugudanes on Instagram, but I’m so glad I did. The photos are unbelievable. An Australian couple, Karina and Craig Waters, bought the Château de Gudanes in the Midi-Pyrénées in 2013. They’ve been restoring it ever since and are recording the progress on Instagram, Facebook and their blog chateaudegudanes.org.
Would you believe the architect was none other than Ange-Jacques Gabriel, who did the Petit Trianon in Versailles, the Hotel de Crillon and Place de la Concorde? Even in a state of decay, the place is gorgeous….
courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
The château has 94 rooms (!) and was built in the mid 1700s.
courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
This ceiling is one of the many treasures uncovered during the renovation process.
The following photos are enough to give me pause.
photo courtesy of chateaudegudanes.org
Evidently, the château was empty for years and the roof collapsed in four different places, causing extensive water damage and mold. A lot of the interior was inaccessible because of so much rubble. Definitely not for the fainthearted, but how amazing it will be when completed. Can’t wait to see that.
In case you’re interested, there will be a 15-day restoration workshop at the château this summer. Details on the blog. I so wish I had the time and money to do it.
Hope your weekend’s going well so far.
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
I adore old houses, it feels like you can touch the epoch, exciting!
How true! Like going back in time.
That must have been a beauty once. There are hundreds of these old châteaux available. I suppose this was very cheap but the renovation will cost a fortune. Sorry, it’s a very mundane comment. I must say, I haven’t seen anyone buying one in such a sorry condition. That, of course, makes it all the more fascinating to follow the progress. Thanks for sharing it. I’m looking forward to see more.
I can’t even imagine the cost, Caroline. The new owner did say she wouldn’t be restoring it back to the original condition because it would cost too much. They are going to keep it simple but elegant.
This is stunning – such potential! I’m going to post this on my FB page. 🙂
Thanks, Jennie!
After reading the ‘captain’s log’ I can say for sure that someone has VERY deep pockets to afford such a renovation . . . but it will be glorious when complete !
If I were independently wealthy I would love to do something like this, Susan. Now I’ll be content to watch from the sidelines. 🙂
Wow! I say that about both the chateau and the renovations. This is from someone who can’t hang a picture properly. Look behind any frame on my wall and it looks like a drive-by shooting happened.
Another reason to join Instagram!
Haha, I feel your pain, Jackie! Just redoing a kitchen and powder room was enough to do me in. 🙂