When the new series of Chateau DIY began on 6 April, Château de la Boutinière appeared in the first episode. The programme followed us as we prepared our chapel for a very special occasion: a vow renewal for an American couple, Mary and Leo, celebrating 60 years of marriage, surrounded by their guests.
Preparing the chapel
The chapel is one of the most important places here at Château de la Boutinière. It was commissioned by Madame Proa, who built the château in 1872, and we believe work on the chapel began in 1890 and was completed in 1893. It has its own history and character, and it always feels like a special place to step into.
Before the ceremony, the chapel needed a huge amount of work. It had not been used for 40 years and had gathered all the usual signs of long neglect: dust, cobwebs, stored furniture and all the bits and pieces that end up in a space when life takes over. We had guests flying in within a few days, so everything had to be done quickly.
We cleaned from top to bottom, removed decades of cobwebs, added new lighting, fixed a draughty door and repaired part of the altar. Zion cut a piece of marble to fill the gap where an altar stone had once sat, using an old piece we had found in one of the sheds. I love details like that. It felt right to use something already here and give it a new purpose in the chapel.
By the end, the change was enormous. What had felt neglected and half-forgotten looked like a chapel again.
A very special day
The day began with a Mass, followed by the vow renewal ceremony for Mary and Leo, who were celebrating 60 years of marriage. It had been arranged as a surprise for Mary by Leo, and her reaction said it all. They were such a sweet couple, and it was impossible not to be moved by the occasion. The chapel may be small, but that is exactly why it worked so well. Nothing felt overdone. It felt personal, warm and completely right for the moment.
Another lovely surprise for us came afterwards, when Father Mark gave us the altar cloth and crucifix. That gesture meant a great deal. It made the chapel feel complete, and for the first time the space looked properly dressed.
Just as important as the ceremony itself was the feeling in the chapel that day. Mary said she had felt God’s presence there, and one of the guests spoke about the warmth of the space and how special it was to witness such a moment in a private chapel. That is exactly what we hoped people would feel there.
Days like that remind us what this château is really for. Yes, there is always restoration work, planning, cleaning, repairing and rushing from one job to the next, but then something happens which brings it all into focus. Seeing the chapel being used again after 40 years was one of those moments.
As Zion said, this is what the château is for: sharing it with people and giving them a lovely, enjoyable and relaxed day. Seeing the chapel used again made all the work feel worthwhile, and we hope it will be the first of many such occasions to come.
