Why an Australian woman moved to France to renovate a château | Real French Connections

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Meet Rachel, who engaged the HCB Renovations Group to renovate her French chateau.

Lizzie is in Libourne, near Saint-Émilion in the Gironde, southwestern France to meet Rachel, who moved to France from Australia to renovate a château and start a new life with her daughter.

In this episode of Real French Connections, Lizzie visits Rachel at her château near Libourne to hear how she moved from Sydney to France with a clear goal: to start a new life and take on a once-in-a-lifetime château renovation project using French Connections . Rachel shares what it felt like arriving for the first time, driving through the gates, and why months of research gave her the confidence to make an offer within an hour after seeing the property online.

As Rachel shows Lizzie around the château, she explains her renovation approach room by room, from preserving original floors, fireplaces, stonework, and architectural features to redesigning kitchens, bathrooms, towers, and living spaces while keeping the integrity and history of the building intact.

Rachel also talks in detail about moving to France from Australia and the practical support she needed to make it happen. She explains how Richard and the team at French Connections HCB helped her navigate the visa process, manage the extensive paperwork involved in relocating, and understand the legal complexities of buying property in France. This included support around contracts, the final signing process, and avoiding potential pitfalls she wouldn’t have known about as a foreign buyer. Rachel also shares how Richard arranged the purchase of her car on her behalf, so it was delivered when she arrived, helping her settle into life in France immediately.

Alongside the renovation, Rachel reflects on finding community in rural France, raising her daughter bilingually, and building genuine relationships in her village. If you’re thinking about moving to France from Australia and want an honest insight into buying property, managing paperwork, and building a new life, this episode offers a clear and realistic look at what’s involved and how the right help from French Connections HCB really makes a difference.

Chapters
0:00 – Meet Rachel in Libourne
0:37 – Why Rachel decided to move to France from Australia and renovate a chateau
1:18 – Making an offer within an hour of finding the fairytale chateau
2:20 – First look inside the château
3:35 – Preserving original features
3:51 – Hidden doors and kitchen plans
4:40 – Architectural plans, scans, and renovation preparation
5:02 – Horses, family life and raising a child in rural France
5:55 – Learning French and integrating into village life
6:20 – Community and friendships after moving to France
7:05 – Region Matcher service: finding your perfect place in France
7:50 – Dining room design and antique hunting
8:55 – Sourcing chandeliers, furniture, and fixtures
10:49 – How Richard and French Connections HCB helped Rachel move to France
11:33 – Buying property in France and understanding legal contracts
12:18 – Touring the château
13:10 – Fireplaces, heating, and restoration choices
13:43 – Bathroom design and the tower shower
14:45 – Roof repairs, water damage, and long-term fixes
15:45 – Lakes, land, and life on the estate
16:43 – History of the château and surrounding land
18:42 – Renovating remotely with HCB Renovations Group
19:30 – Champagne Tower and future plans
21:04 – Boutique hotel potential and resale considerations
21:45 – Would Rachel do it all again?
22:40 – Final vision for the property and life in France

👋 Thinking of moving to France?

From a one-off solution to a full-service package. We’ve helped thousands of clients successfully settle in France. Everybody’s story is different, so our relocation services are tailored to your specific needs. From applying for a visa to setting up a business or renovating a property, our expert team can handle it all. https://bit.ly/4lextDZ
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👉 Watch Next:
Why This American Couple Moved to France at 50: https://youtu.be/Ql8LPcqjm2c
Ready to Retire or Move to France from the USA? Steps to Make It Happen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vhDMC-Njk0

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