Falling in Love
Six years later and I can still remember the moment as vividly as though it were yesterday. Does anyone ever forget that lurching feeling in the pit of their stomach when love at first sight makes you do crazy things? The heart rules the head and all caution is thrown recklessly to the wind. Viewed on a hot July evening and entering the wide, paneled hallway, through the double-fronted glass inner doors, I was transfixed. In my mind's eye, I placed myself where I sit today. The immense marble Louis Philippe style staircase loomed through the dusky gloom, twisting enticingly to the uppermost floor.

This beautifully appointed Maison de Maître, known as Le Château, had lain untouched and unloved for many years. With spacious rooms lining each side of the corridors, exuding a calmness, which settled on me immediately, I was transfixed. I could barely contain my excitement as the owner led me from room to room. Who could resist double length windows everywhere, full of views of the surrounding Languedoc countryside? But I suppose the defining moment, the precise point of no return, occurred was when I laid eyes on the ornate original tiles and the handsome paneling on the first floor landing.

This was a reckless affair that would cause heartache for a number of years, until I had found a solution that enabled us all to live in harmony together.

The house and its former glory
The outside of the Le Château belies its interior, following in the fashion of keeping one's head down and thus keeping one's head after the revolution. Charmingly, each step of the stairwell, some 40 of them, is still numbered with the flourish of a pencil. The entire house is perfectly metric, each room in perfect proportion to the others - in 1799 the metric measurement was introduced by government surveyors.

The roof space was used as servants' quarters, where we discovered the remains of an early attempt at air conditioning, a circular contraption, perhaps once involving a wind sail. There was of course there was no provision of heat for the servants during the winter months.

For the family of the house, however, who enjoyed the benefits of a luxurious house with servants aplenty, there were other pleasures to be sought in avoidance of the hot southern sun. A field away lies what is left of the family bathing pool, the overflow from the spring that fed the house's water supply. Stories are told that the entire village would enjoy a cooling dip there, and it is certainly large enough - it's the size of an Olympic swimming pool!

To the side of the house stands a beautiful stone barn and pigeonnier, which predate the main house. The Squire was the only person in the village who was allowed the privilege of a pigeonnier, and it would have provided squab meat for his family and guests throughout the year. One of the delights upon entering the barn's hallway is the positioning of a small marble basin. Sadly, the original tap is missing and it no longer provides a first point of call for the dusty traveller, dismounting from their horse or carriage and wishing to refresh themselves.

The previous occupants - 200 year history
Fascinatingly, we are only the third family in 200 years to have the privilege of living here. It was built sometime in the early 1800's by a local landowner, who no doubt chose the spot because of its outstanding views of mountains and the vineyards, which would have originally belonged to the house.

One of the most interesting stories to imagine is the way in which the previous owner's Grandfather came by the house: Sadly the descendents of the gentlemen who built Le Château fell badly into debt through gambling. It was sold through an order of the Court and a date was fixed for a Candle Auction.

One can only speculate the intense excitement that must have been present here, as the candle was lit and the auction began. For all the interested parties the ritual was to gather around the table and watch the flickering flame as it sunk lower and lower. The bidding would begin as the candle wax and the wick began to splutter, signaling that the flame was about to go out. The buyers would have to keep their nerve as the last bid put forward just before the final flicker would seal the purchase.

Our history (so far) at Le Château
I, of course, put my offer forward in a far more conventional manner, and one that has now become dated insofar as the words 'I'll pay you the full asking price' may now become a distant memory in the history of house sales.

Years of hard graft, sweat and tears followed, as well as spiraling costs, in the renovation of the house. As I worked long hours to make Le Château beautiful again, I wondered how we would afford to keep the place on, once we'd finished.

In the end, though, circumstances dictated that we found ourselves a solution, so that we could continue to enjoy our house and surroundings and yet still make a living, reaping the benefits of all our hard work. Although I have no previous experience I am now in the position of running Le Château as a busy house rental. This is a business I had not contemplated previously, but which suits perfectly. To be able to enjoy going into my place of work is a bonus for I was never the one to relish being tied to a desk or easily take instruction from someone else.

From that split second when the heart ruled the head, through moments of despair and ones of joy, I have been able to discover another love, which stems from the house - a hobby and a passion that may have lain dormant were it not for the inspiration the house offers me.