*The French Money Pit

Today, we are marveling over one of the most extensive (and expensive) private restorations in the world. In 2019, Australian couple Felicity Selkirk and Tim Holding (the former Aussie Labor Minister) decided to purchase the Château de Purnon, a Louis XVI chateau in Vienne, France. Built in 1788, the property had been occupied by descendants of Daniel Jérôme Robineau de Rochequairie, Marquis de Rochequairie. However, by the time the couple bought it, Château de Purnon had essentially been left vacant for many years. At the time of the purchase, the 105-room chateau was in grave and imminent danger of becoming a pile of romantic rubble. Selkirk and Holding have spent the last five years of their lives (and I cannot imagine how many funds) to restore the property to its original glory.

You can follow the nearly-completed restoration on the website and on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.