Christmas at the château never happens all at once. It arrives slowly, over several days, as rooms are dressed one by one and the château gradually begins to feel warmer, fuller and more expectant.
This year was no different.
We spent days decorating, moving from room to room, pausing often to stand back and decide whether something felt right or needed just a little more. Four Christmas trees found their places around the château, three mantelpieces were dressed, and twenty-six lanterns were lit inside and out. Both the internal and external staircases were decorated, so that wherever you entered the château, it already felt festive. By the time everything was finished, the château was glowing softly in the winter light.
Alongside all of this, the kitchen was in constant use. Over 200 mince pies were baked, which seemed like a sensible idea at the start and a slightly ambitious one by the end, but the smell alone was worth it.
On the 17th of December, we opened the doors to friends from the local community for a mulled wine and mince pie evening, simply to say thank you. It was a relaxed, informal gathering, with friends chatting in small groups, glasses warming hands, and the sound of both French and English conversations weaving together, which felt like a perfect reflection of the life we have built here and the friendships that support us.
As the evening went on, we were reminded how much the château has changed, not just in how it looks, but in how it is lived in. Over time, and often without really noticing, we have built friendships and become part of a local community that we value enormously. Evenings like this make all the work feel worthwhile.
Christmas gave us the chance to stop and reflect on the year behind us. As 2026 begins, we are simply grateful for what has been achieved and for the people who have shared the journey with us so far.
We wish everyone a very happy New Year and all the best for 2026.
