A couple bought an 18th-century chateau in the French countryside and spent $600,000 turning it into a modern guesthouse — take a look at how they did it

Amanda GohApr 12, 2022, 13:14 IST

Exterior facade of the chateau.Courtesy of Le Fleur

A couple gave up city life in Paris to fulfill their dream of owning a chateau.
They bought Chateau Gonneville sur Honfleur in Normandy and have spent three years renovating the place.

Philipp Mayrhofer and his wife, Anna, bought an 18th-century chateau in Normandy in May 2019. They have spent the past three years turning it into their family home and a guesthouse.

Philipp and Anna Mayrhofer standing in front of their chateau.Courtesy of Le Fleur.

Philipp Mayrhofer and his wife, Anna, bought an 18th-century chateau in Normandy in May 2019. They have spent the past three years turning it into their family home and a guesthouse.

The chateau, known as Chateau Gonneville sur Honfleur, is in a rural village just outside of Honfleur, a harbor city in Normandy, France.

Before it was restored, the exterior of the chateau was in poor condition.Courtesy of Le Fleur

With a tight budget, the couple decided to do most of the renovation work themselves — including installing bathrooms, repainting the walls, and retiling the floors.

Philipp working on the walls of the chateau.Courtesy of Le Fleur

With a tight budget, the couple decided to do most of the renovation work themselves — including installing bathrooms, repainting the walls, and retiling the floors.

Repainting the walls of all the rooms took months, and Anna did it mostly by herself.

Anna painting the walls of a room in the chateau.Courtesy of Le Fleur

Mayrhofer said almost every room in the chateau had to be reconfigured.

The entrance to the chateau before it was renovated.Courtesy of Le Fleur

There were only two bathrooms in the chateau originally, which Mayrhofer said wasn't enough to serve the needs of the family.

One of the bedrooms before renovation. The room has since been refurnished and the walls are now painted a darker shade of green, earning it its new name "The Green Room."Courtesy of Le Fleur

One of the biggest transformations is the kitchen, which the couple hopes will be completed in a few weeks.

The kitchen before renovation.Courtesy of Le Fleur

There are three big salons in the chateau. One is used as a breakfast room.

One of the salons before renovation.Courtesy of Le Fleur

Every detail of the house was taken care of, including the furniture, some of which Anna tried to restore on her own.

Anna reupholstering a 19th century chair for the chateau's salon.Courtesy of Le Fleur.

Mayrhofer estimates they have spent about €600,000 ($652,500) thus far renovating the main building and on some garden work.

The entrance to the chateau after it was renovated.Courtesy of Le Fleur

The couple is currently documenting their chateau renovation journey on Youtube.

The evening salon now.Courtesy of Le Fleur

They are also in the early stages of researching the chateau's history.

One of the bedrooms after renovation. It is now known as "The Green Room." Before photos of the room can be seen in earlier parts of the article.Courtesy of Le Fleur

In one of the salons, Mayrhofer had to install a log burner below the chimney to ensure sufficient heating.

The completed breakfast room.Courtesy of Le Fleur

As of this week, the guesthouse is open for business, Mayrhofer said. This renovated bedroom, which the couple has dubbed "The Blue Room," is one of four bedrooms available for guests to rent.

One of the renovated bedrooms. It is now known as "The Blue Room."Courtesy of Le Fleur

As of this week, the guesthouse is open for business, Mayrhofer said. This renovated bedroom, which the couple has dubbed "The Blue Room," is one of four bedrooms available for guests to rent.

This bedroom is known as "The Pink Room."

One of the renovated bedrooms. It is now known as "The Pink Room."Courtesy of Le Fleur

This is one of the bathrooms that the couple installed on their own.

One of the chateau's renovated bathrooms.Courtesy of Le Fleur

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A couple bought an 18th-century chateau in the French countryside and spent $600,000 turning it into a modern guesthouse &mdash; take a look at how they did it

Philipp Mayrhofer and his wife, Anna, bought an 18th-century chateau in Normandy in May 2019. They have spent the past three years turning it into their family home and a guesthouse.

The chateau, known as Chateau Gonneville sur Honfleur, is in a rural village just outside of Honfleur, a harbor city in Normandy, France.

With a tight budget, the couple decided to do most of the renovation work themselves — including installing bathrooms, repainting the walls, and retiling the floors.

Repainting the walls of all the rooms took months, and Anna did it mostly by herself.

Mayrhofer said almost every room in the chateau had to be reconfigured.

There were only two bathrooms in the chateau originally, which Mayrhofer said wasn't enough to serve the needs of the family.

One of the biggest transformations is the kitchen, which the couple hopes will be completed in a few weeks.

There are three big salons in the chateau. One is used as a breakfast room.

Every detail of the house was taken care of, including the furniture, some of which Anna tried to restore on her own.

Mayrhofer estimates they have spent about €600,000 ($652,500) thus far renovating the main building and on some garden work.

The couple is currently documenting their chateau renovation journey on Youtube.

They are also in the early stages of researching the chateau's history.

In one of the salons, Mayrhofer had to install a log burner below the chimney to ensure sufficient heating.

As of this week, the guesthouse is open for business, Mayrhofer said. This renovated bedroom, which the couple has dubbed "The Blue Room," is one of four bedrooms available for guests to rent.

This bedroom is known as "The Pink Room."

This is one of the bathrooms that the couple installed on their own.

A couple bought an 18th-century chateau in the French countryside and spent $600,000 turning it into a modern guesthouse — take a look at how they did it