Chateau love

Last summer we went on a road trip through France.  We ended up at a vineyard called Chateau de Claribes near Bordeaux, that makes delicious wine.  It was French heaven and our gite was a beautiful example of sympathetic restoration.  I hope this post shows you how a very old building can be modernised without losing any of its charm or character.

French gite

The gite at the Chateau de Claribes.

French gite and chateau

Surrounding barns ready for restoration.

Our trusty mode of transport.

French gite with wood burning stove

The sitting room has exposed stonework and beams, a wood burning stove and a cool tiled floor. The warm but neutral colour palette allows the original features to be the main focal points.

French gite with wood burning stove

The open-plan layout downstairs enables light to flood in. The furniture and curtains have been kept minimal and simple so as not to take away from the wonderful interior.

Ikea kitchen in french chateau gite

A simple Ikea kitchen, though modern, works well in this old building as the wooden work top ties in with the exposed beams and old wooden dining table and chairs.

Fireplace in French chateau

Beautiful exposed fireplace and stone wall with vintage jugs as ornaments.

Fireplace in French chateau

The exposed beams add character to the kitchen.

Fireplace with wood burning stove in French chateau

Wood burning stove looks lovely but also very functional in the cold, French winters.

Simple furnishings and wall sconses let the beautiful building shine.

Fireplace in French chateau

The warm, neutral colours create a wonderful ambience.

Exposed beams in French chateau

The bedrooms are just as characterful as the downstairs due to the vaulted and beamed ceiling.

Exposed beams in French chateau

The Ikea furniture is simple with clean lines.

Exposed beams in French chateau

The exposed brick of the chimney comes up from the kitchen into the bedroom creating a wonderful original feature.

Exposed beams in French chateau

With such wonderful period features you can get away with a simple Ikea bedframe.

This wardrobe tones in with the paintwork so it doesn’t dominate.

French garden

The house looks out over a valley of vineyards.

French vineyard

The vines continue at the back of the house, which is perfect for barbeques.

French vineyard

The delicious wine at Claribes is well worth a taste!

I wish I was there now…

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1 Comment

  1. Claire
    22nd February 2013 / 6:45 pm

    This looks worth a visit and a taste!

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