'Journees-du-Patrimoine' part II...The couple behind Château de Purnon’s remarkable revival.

When most people imagine a life-changing adventure, they think of travel or a career shift, not buying a 105-room château on the verge of collapse. But for Felicity Selkirk and Tim Holding, taking on the restoration of the majestic Château de Purnon in western France was exactly the kind of challenge they were looking for.

Originally from Australia, Felicity and Tim aren’t your typical château owners. Their backgrounds are rooted in public service, international study and a shared passion for history, architecture and culture. After years of working overseas, the couple felt drawn to a project that would allow them to create something meaningful, something lasting.

 In 2020, they discovered Purnon the château was a sleeping beauty, elegant but desperately in need of saving. With vision, courage, and no shortage of determination, they took the leap. Since then, they’ve poured their hearts (and hands) into bringing the estate back to life.

From urgently restoring the château’s crumbling roof to researching its historical details, Felicity and Tim are not simply renovating, they’re caretaking a piece of french history. their approach is as meticulous as it is passionate, driven by a deep respect for the past and an eye toward a sustainable future for the property.

Their journey is far from over, but one thing is clear: the story of Château de Purnon’s revival is inseparable from the story of this extraordinary couple. 

Through their grit, grace and global perspective, Felicity and Tim are proving that even the most daunting dreams can be achieve.

Check out their story here.

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench...La Poste aux Chevaux des Ormes.

 

'Journees-du-Patrimoine' ...part I.

We had been invited to join a group of friends today for a visit to Chateau de Pournon near the village of  Verrue in La Vienne for 'Journees-du-Patrimoine'.The château which is the subject of a major renovation project opened its gates for this special weekend celebrating France’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. 

I will do a post on this tomorrow. 

After our visit,along with friends Angela & Dennis, who were kind enough to be our transport for the day, we decided to try and take in a few other sites on the way home.

Our first visit was to the the Château de Marmande, in Vellèches.

Guarding the historic frontier between Touraine and Poitou, the chateau has stood for over a thousand years, a silent sentinel shaped by war, peace and the passage of time. Built around the year 1000, the fortress has witnessed the rise and fall of lords, the clash of territories and the slow unfolding of history but today it would withhold its secrets from us as it is only open tomorrow for visits during this patrimoine weekend!. We only discovered this after driving all the way up its single track entrance road. This was disappointing as many years ago Pauline and I had spotted the curious tower on our way back from visiting people we knew over in the Vienne and climbed a steep path,which is now closed as considered dangerous, to check it out only to find it closed. Nick and Jean had visited this site and enjoyed getting its history including its connection to the chateau at Paulmy and the fact that its stone was plundered to help in the building of the Château des Ormes, among other things, ah well, another time perhaps.

 We didn't let our disappointment stop our desire to seek out more...but that's another post. 

A walk around the lake...

Yesterday our friend Bob organised another day out with a walk around the lake at St. Cyr followed by lunch at the nearby Golf club, on what turned out to be a lovely morning.

Take two.

Wednesday for windows...this view could be yours!

The view from the salon.

House for sale.
 

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench...another from Apremont-sur-Allier.

In the beautiful 'Parc Floral d'Apremont' 

 

In good company...

 

Lovely evening last night hosted by Chris and Sally in their great barn. Alison missing from the table as she was the photographer. 

La Guerche brocante...

Angela captured us at our freshest as we began to sell our 'stuff' on our stand at our local brocante here in La Guerche. We are back home now after setting up at 6.00am and are 'cream crackered' though a good bit better off financially. A very sociable day with friends on the stalls and meeting up with neighbours old and new.

Apremont-sur-Allier: A floral delight in the heart of France

The main reason for our return to Apremont-sur-Allier, recognized as one of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France',was to visit its enchanting floral gardens,which we missed on our first visit. The Parc Floral d’Apremont is not your typical château garden. It’s a living, breathing mosaic of design and nature, where paths meander through themed spaces that feel more like chapters in a novel than sections of a park.

Created in the 1970s by Gilles de Brissac, the then owner of the chateau, the garden draws from English romanticism, French elegance, and far-flung inspirations from Turkey, Russia, and the East. It is set in the grounds of the chateau and around a lovely set of buildings which includes holiday rental accommodation.

We started our walk in the gardens by walking under the wisteria arched pergola which must be wonderful when they are in full bloom during spring.

As you wander through the garden, each structure tells its own story:

A bright red Chinese bridge, lacquered and bold, arcs over calm water with poetic grace.

A Russian-style Belvedere, whimsically decorated with ceramic murals, peeks out from a hillside like something from a fairytale.

The Turkish Pavilion, complete with intricate tilework and painted ceilings, floats dreamily beside a reflective pond.

A waterfall made with 650 tons of rocks was built in an unused quarry.

One of the most remarkable things about the Floral Park is its ability to feel both grand and intimate. 

There’s a peacefulness here that’s hard to describe. Maybe it’s the sight of the gentle flowing Allier River nearby or the way the garden seems to gently frame the village and its hilltop château. Or maybe it's just its ability to transport you...somewhere else.

Whether you’re a gardener, a photographer, or simply someone who appreciates quiet beauty, Apremont-sur-Allier’s Floral Garden offers a rich, sensory escape. It’s not just a visit, it’s a memory waiting to to have so glad we now have it.

We said we'd be back...Apremont-sur-Allier.

Nestling on the banks of the winding Allier river in the Centre-Val de Loire, Apremont-sur-Allier feels like it stepped out of a storybook. With rose-covered cottages and the gentle hum of nature all around, this village is officially one of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France' and it earns the title effortlessly. We had visited here way back in 2018 and vowed to come back as the Floral Gardens had just closed for the season and from what we could see, looked spectacular. 

The stone houses, meticulously restored by the Schneider and Brissac families in the 20th century, form a harmonious palette of cream, slate, and terracotta. Every corner is wrapped in seasonal blooms, making it a paradise for photographers, garden lovers, and anyone craving peace and beauty.

This is not the Loire of castles and crowds, it’s a quiet, enchanted detour where time slows down and beauty lives in the details.

Wander up to the Château d’Apremont, admire views over the river, then lose yourself in the Parc Floral, a dreamlike garden where bridges, waterfalls and exotic pavilions create a poetic, almost surreal atmosphere.

More on the Floral Gardens to Follow.