A couple who purchased a French chateau for £285,000 as a DIY project are now facing a £1.1 million repair bill after a catastrophic fire. Dimitri, 35, and David Petitpas, 28, bought the 200-year-old Egmont Manor near Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières, about an hour from Paris, in September last year. The property had no running water, no electricity and a leaking roof, but the pair planned to renovate it as a wedding venue within ten months.
In November, they received the devastating news that their new home had gone up in flames, with the roof completely destroyed. Photographs show the charred remains of the historic roof and attic, which collapsed through to the first floor, leaving the property exposed to the winter elements. The couple are insured and await confirmation of how much of the repair costs will be covered, but have been warned restoration could cost up to €1.3 million (£1.1 million).
Dimitri said: 'We have been told that we need 1.3 million euros to rebuild the manor. It will be much harder and a lot more costly than we planned but we will do it anyway even if we have to spend 3-4 years.' The amateur DIY couple, who are living five hours away in a French Alps flat while carrying out renovations, turned to YouTube for guidance. Despite the setback, they aim to renovate one room and one bathroom by the end of the year to finally move in.
The pair remain determined, though they now believe the manor won't open until 2028. They have faced financial difficulties, securing only €100,000 as a renovation loan—a third of what they say they need. Dimitri added: 'We only have problems. We have no regrets at all. It is fulfilling.'
