Chateau Reawakening

A beautiful, personal and photographic account of what happens when you give up life as you know it to live the dream of buying and repairing a grand French chateau the Loire Valley.

Chateau Reawakening is an architectural adventure and compelling diary that captures the highs and lows of restoring an 18th century chateau in regional France, published in full-sized hardback.

Former Australian politician Tim Holding and his fiancée Felicity Selkirk admit their decision to purchase the 105-room Chateau de Purnon near the French town of Verrue (French for 'wart') might be considered a fool’s errand. Built in 1771 but in a state of ruin after years of neglect, they signed up for a vast financial commitment, years of physical labour and ongoing run-ins with French bureaucracy as they work to restore Purnon to its former glory.

Presented in Tim’s pithy diary entries over the course of 18 months, this stunning hardback explores the storied history of the chateau and meets a cast of bemused but intrigued locals the couple encounter on their journey.

Featuring breathtaking photography by Laura Edwards, it’s both a compelling read and visually arresting tribute to a truly unique restoration. Chateau Reawakening is about daring to dream on the grandest possible scale.