Château Gudanes – Australian Couple Restore A French Château
“A Château in the south of France, under restoration…
Once upon a time a thirteenth century fortress, a fifteenth century castle, an eighteenth century palatial château, and, after decades of neglect, an abandoned ruin upon a forgotten hilltop…” – Château Gudane
Looking for a true love story that never ends? Then the tale of Karina and Craig Waters, the Australian couple who purchased Château Gudanes in southern France will enthral you. From the moment this Perth couple gingerly walked the collapsed floors of Château Gudanes and spied her damp crumbling walls they were in love with her.
Château Gudanes – A Love Story Never Ends
As Karina says in the forward of her book –
“I must forewarn from the very beginning that this story is not just a fairy-tale and fantastical adventure. For this story is more of a serendipitous one, and one which my family simply happened upon.
And rather, at the heart of this story is a message of love. It wasn’t the need to live out our dreams that beckoned us to cross oceans and that swept us off our feet, the very first time we laid our eyes on Château de Gudanes, It was love.”
An Abandoned and Ruined Château
The once abandoned and ruined château has 94 rooms and while the Waters only inspected 4 rooms on their house hunting inspection tour, they instantly fell in love and wondered what their life would be like living within her walls, but more importantly, how would they not live there, having now experienced the fast and binding pull of Château Gudanes.
Knowing she had a history to share, and beauty to reveal, they agreed to purchase this Grade I French monument and set about the laborious legal process of calling her home. The story of the restoration of Château Gudanes is one of perseverance guided by meticulous research, expert craftsmanship and an overriding desire to care and protect.
Restoring Château Gudanes
With 94 rooms the task is a daunting one that may well take longer than their own life times, even with world-wide support now behind the project. This book, is the first in an anticipated series, and as mentioned by Karina in the close of this first volume…
“And so, as the sun sets on this first volume I know that this love story is not really ending… for it is only just beginning.”
The long-awaited book written by Karina, with photographs by herself and Dr Peter Dillon, comes hand wrapped in custom paper featuring the Château and its grounds resplendent in autumn foliage. The handwritten and personal note in its own envelope and sealed with red hot wax and the château’s stamp adds a luxurious touch.
Filled with sumptuous colour photos and with Karina’s personal informal dialogue over its 345 pages, you are transported to within the walls and surrounding lands of the Château and into the lives of the amazing Waters.
A True Love Story in Chapters
Divided into chapters such as ‘In a Faraway Land’, ‘The Work Begins’, ‘Les Quatre Saisons’ and ‘Making a House a Home’ it is a feast for the eyes and an inspiring read.
A perfect book for day dreaming with a glass of French champagne in your hand, or for a deluxe gift for someone special, or even as an inspirational read for someone who is in need of a little magic, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Not only is it filled with sumptuous photos, there is a real story that you can read and enjoy for many hours. Historical details and family genealogy associated with the Château and its nearby region add depth to the story and help the reader understand the importance of this French monument. Decorating ideas also abound should you have your own château to furnish or decorate.
By buying ‘Château Gudanes – A True Story Never Ends’, you will also be contributing to the restoration process because a portion of the proceeds go towards its ongoing restoration and refurbishment.
Helping The Restoration Work of Château Gudanes
Visit Château Gudanes’s Bookshop to order online and the Château Gudane’s French Finds Boutique to see what treasures they’ve found at antique fairs and brocantes now available for purchase. To see more of their work head over to Château Gudane’s Instagram page.
This book resonates well with me because I too, love and live in Australia, but have lost my heart in France and couldn’t imaging not living part of each year in my French country home. While my home is not on the scale of Château Gudanes, they say the home is where the heart is and when surrounded by my family in our French petite maison this is particularly true. France does that to you..
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