105 Rooms & Neoclassical Symmetry
Designed with balanced wings, monumental stone pediments, and expansive views across 24 hectares of private parkland and centuries-old forest oaks.
Château de Purnon: Restoring an 18th-Century Grand Estate in France
In the quiet countryside of western France sits a breathtaking architectural treasure: Château de Purnon, located in the commune of Verrue (in the Vienne department, just south of the Loire Valley). Commissioned between 1772 and 1791 by Antoine-Charles Achard, the Marquis de la Haye, this majestic 105-room châteauChâteau (French Castle Estate)A beautiful, historic manor house or castle in the French countryside, built with stone towers and grand gardens. was completed on the very eve of the French Revolution.
After decades of abandonment and decay that left it in grave peril, the estate was purchased in 2020 by Tim Holding and Felicity Selkirk. Today, it is the center of one of the most heroic, meticulous historical restorationsRestoration (Fixing Historic Treasures)Carefully repairing an old building using traditional tools and materials so it looks just as beautiful and strong as when it was first built hundreds of years ago. in Europe.
"Restoring an estate like Purnon is like finding a magnificent 250-year-old violin in an old attic. It takes patient, loving hands, ancient stone skills, and deep devotion to make it sing again."
Architectural Highlights of Purnon
Built in the pure neoclassicalNeoclassical (Balanced Greek & Roman Style)A style of building that uses grand stone columns, perfect symmetry, and clean balanced shapes inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. style during the reign of Louis XVI, Château de Purnon is remarkable for its harmony, scale, and craftsmanship:
Rare Hand-Blocked Wallpapers
The interior houses one of the last and finest surviving collections of late 18th-century hand-printed wallpaper in France, created with hand-carved wood blocks.
Living Artisanal Craftsmanship
Master stonemasons, roofers, and carpenters are rebuilding crumbling slate roofs, stabilizing grand timber beams, and restoring stone balustrades using traditional French guild techniques.
Why It's on My Bucket List
1. Witnessing History Being Rescued Firsthand
Most tourists only visit "finished" monuments where everything is polished and behind velvet ropes. Visiting Château de Purnon offers something far deeper: seeing the raw, honest human labor of bringing an endangered masterpiece back from the brink of collapse. It connects you directly to the heartbeat of historical preservation.
2. The French Countryside Road Trip & Cycling Connection
A journey to Purnon embodies our travel philosophy of moving at human speed. The plan is an open road trip through western France: rolling along tree-shaded country lanes, exploring the quiet village of Verrue, cycling along nearby canal paths, and meeting artisans keeping centuries-old trades alive.
The Expedition Blueprint
Location & Approach
Situated in Verrue in the Vienne department, between Tours, Poitiers, and Saumur. Accessible via quiet regional roads through sunflower fields and vineyards.
Watch the Restoration on YouTube
Follow Tim and Felicity's weekly video series documenting the real-life highs and challenges of saving this 105-room French monument from ruin.
Pre-Trip Reading: Château Reawakening
Tim Holding's memoir Château Reawakening chronicles the highs, heartaches, and discoveries of buying and breathing new life into Purnon.
Village Markets & Quiet Living
Pairing the château tour with stays in small family-run stone guesthouses, morning visits to village bakeries for fresh baguettes, and afternoon strolls through rural forest trails.
Explore More Quests & Living Notes
Jump back to the central Bucket List or explore related journeys:
🌱 Curated by Gert Haegdorens
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Last tended & modified: September 27, 2026