Even after Brexit, thousands of Britons choose to relocate to France each year to enjoy its culture, high quality of life and to embark on new adventures. For those looking to save a bit of money, buying a property to renovate is an option, which can ultimately lower the upfront property cost.
That’s exactly what Keith and Kirsten Hillier did. Here, we chat with them about their journey to renovate a Charentaise maison de maitre, “Manoir d’Aulagnes”.
Manoir d’Aulagnes in its Charentaise glory
Why did you choose France?
We always discussed retiring to France and buying a ski chalet in the Alps,” said Kirsten, ” we both love skiing, the outdoors, and the countryside. Plus, we’d lived in London for up to 20 years. It just seemed the complete opposite of the life we lived in the UK.”
The Hilliers chose to buy a property in France in July 2020.
“The initial idea,” Kirsten said, “was to buy a chalet in the Alps, and offer it as a holiday rental. This would allow Keith to act as the host. However, after looking at the prices, particularly those with dual living quarters, we realised this plan was untenable. So we segued into thinking about other types of properties that would offer similar opportunities and came up with the idea of buying a chateau.”
“We had differing ideas on the size of the renovation project we wanted. He wanted a complete renovation project, me not so much. As meticulously organized people we started viewings. With no real geographic constraint other than Southern France, we viewed between twenty and thirty properties in the space of a week. We devised a rating system for each property we saw based on price, opportunity and level of renovation required. Throughout, Manoir d’Aulagnes retained its place top of the list, regardless of other properties we viewed.”
Our relaxing outdoor area
Manoir d’Aulagne: Our renovation project
At first glance, Manoir d’Aulagnes was a lovely property, previously used as an Airbnb. Almost immediately the Hilliers realised the property was bursting with potential and could be so much more with a little love, care and hard work.
Kirsten said, “It appeared to be a reasonable renovation project, requiring painting and general decoration, window replacement, barn renovations and bathroom upgrades. Eventually, the pool and the gardens needed substantial work.”
In 2020, the couple purchased the property for €630,000. This was lower than the value of their UK property but offered so much more in terms of value. They swapped their four-bed detached home in the UK for a magnificent seven-bedroom house with a three-bedroom gite, multiple barns and five acres of land. Keith said, “We gained way more space than in Harlow, with not a neighbour to be seen to boot.”
The pool at Manoir d’Aulagne
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Challenges faced
Covid-19
No project worth pursuing is without its challenges and the first that the Hilliers faced was the Covid-19 pandemic. “Not only did it hold up the signing and purchase of the property itself, but it continued to present many challenges during our first season. But the other challenge was, that no matter what you originally included on the list of the renovation project, that list always seems to take on a life of its own. It was ever-evolving and growing. While we knew that the electrics would need work, we didn’t initially appreciate to what extent, that’s until we had an electrical fire! Of course, even when your own house is scary, paying guests is an absolute no-no. After this, effectively the electrics were condemned and also had to be completely redone.”
Low water pressure
Being so remote, another challenge that came up was low water pressure. Kirsten said, “When charging guests to stay, decent water pressure is the least they expect.” The couple ended up having to add internal plumbing to the property, another unplanned expense.
Cold winters
“Furthermore, we didn’t appreciate how cold the house was until the first Christmas. There was an oil-fired boiler, but it was woefully inadequate. In addition, when investigating installing new fireplaces, we discovered that following a big storm in 1999, some of the chimneys in the building had been blocked. These are just some of the things that sadly you can never predict in advance. And you do not see with the naked eye on viewing trips.”
Pace of life
France is renowned for its relaxed attitude to working life, however, the Hilliers found this hard to adapt to. Kirsten said, “The fact that businesses close for lunch. The speed at which people get back to you on queries. The difference in work-life balance. Coming from London we were used to everything being available immediately, both supplies and services. Things are vastly different here. And it certainly took some getting used to.”
The bathroom renovations, during and after at Manoir d’Aulagne
Advice to renovators in France
More than anything, Keith and Kirsten advise that you do your research and due diligence before embarking on a renovation project.
Keith said, “Because of the industries we are both in, we are super organized and plan everything meticulously with spreadsheets and compile tasks using Trello boards. But you just can’t predict the future. So, as well as being prepared for what you do know, you have to be prepared for what you don’t yet know. And do not let it derail or discourage you. You also need to be able to appreciate what you have achieved. Even if maybe it doesn’t seem visible. The trick to any renovation project is to carry on regardless. You may be more than aware of the effort it takes, but sometimes it is not that obvious. That can be frustrating, but you must remember to celebrate the wins.”
Kirsten recounted, “I remember that my breaking point came when we renovated the pool last year. We had already achieved so much and we knew it, but decided to tackle the pool ourselves. It was definitely in need of updating. The tiles were falling off and it was starting to look very tired. And within weeks of moving in, we discovered a leak. On top of being mentally exhausting, the manual work physically broke me. It destroyed my hands, my arms – I’d lost the ability to open things at one point! Looking back, it is important to acknowledge your limits and note what you can do yourselves and what you should seek paid help for.”
The turning point
“I think during the first two years, we were always really positive. Driven by excitement. It was a journey. An adventure, and we were both still really excited by the prospect of what we were accomplishing.” said Kirsten, “I think by year three, it started to become harder and it just felt like we were getting nowhere. That the list that we started with, simply kept expanding.”
It was a journey. An adventure, and we were both still really excited by the prospect of what we were accomplishing.
“By then, we realised we weren’t getting any younger and that once the renovation project was complete, the work of hosting families would remain a lot of work. Not to mention the ongoing upkeep required for five acres of land, as well as ensuring that everything is maintained to the standards we want. We learned a lot, then also dismissed the idea of being a wedding venue due to the workload.”
A hot air balloon passing over the manor
Was it worth it?
“Of course! We have no regrets whatsoever, despite it all.”
“We’re now four years in and we are more used to the French way of life and we have no intention of moving back to the UK.
“Because we did a lot of the work ourselves, we have gained a wealth of new skills. Having worked alongside tradespeople doing things like plumbing and electrics but also having done a lot of the manual schlep ourselves, we have picked up a lot. Not to mention the general DIY skills acquired. I’m sure that will serve us well in the future, wherever we end up, whatever we end up doing.
“I would never discourage anybody from following their dream, but I do think you have to be realistic. What you originally plan on doing is undoubtedly not going to be as easy as you may think. Unless you have a bottomless pit of money to throw at it, paying others to do the work.
Future plans for the Hilliers and Manoir d’Aulagnes
“Well, we’ve started so we’ll finish,” is the immediate response from this formidable, resilient and dynamic pair. “We are both perfectionists and don’t start any project without the aim of completion. There are still outstanding tasks on the renovation project which we will complete. In our present situation of both having full-time jobs, we appreciate the workload on us right now is more than we ever envisaged. The aim is to complete the outstanding work, then put the property on the market.”
“That will be the next challenge, as we fully acknowledge that the property market in France is very different to that of the UK. In particular, the amount of time it could take to sell. As well as the fact that in the UK, it is assumed that if you perform improvements on a property, that naturally increases its value. While that is not a given in the French property market, we hope that the improvements in addition to selling it as an existing business concern will have increased its value. Not least for all the blood, sweat and tears put into it!
“As to what that is, we will revert to the original plan of finding a chalet in the Alps. Although not necessarily for use as a holiday rental, maybe simply for us to enjoy. We are, of course, already looking…”
To find more details about Manoir d’Aulagnes, including how to book, follow their page on Facebook.
