In the bustling city of London, City lawyers Patrick and Colette Burgo made the bold decision to leave behind their Teddington semi and embark on a new adventure in the heart of France. Little did they know what awaited them in their magnificent 17th-century chateau. But hey, who needs the rat race when you can have fairy-tale turrets and 86 acres of land?

After an extensive two-year search, Patrick and Colette stumbled upon a run-down 400-year-old chateau in the picturesque Haute-Vienne region of central France. With its crumbling exterior and dilapidated rooms, the challenges were evident, but the charm was undeniable. They took the leap and purchased the chateau, but little did they know the blood, sweat, and tears that lay ahead in their quest to turn it into a luxury hotel.

The British invaders arrived in Limoges, ready to claim their castle and turn it into a thriving luxury hotel. Blissfully unaware of the fierce competition that had popped up in the area due to the successful cheap airline route from Stansted, Patrick and Colette had their work cut out for them. But hey, who doesn't love a good challenge?

Nestled in the stunning French countryside, Chateau Ribagnac had been in the Lacasse family for 100 years. But with crippling running costs, they had no choice but to sell. And that's when Patrick and Colette walked into their lives, bringing with them dreams of transforming the chateau into a haven for guests seeking luxury and gourmet food. It was a match made in heaven... or so they thought.

Somewhere in the depths of the chateau, Patrick envisioned a split-level bedroom for their daughters. In the old servants' quarters, they embarked on the task of creating a cozy space that would be the envy of any young girl. With bookshelves, low ceilings, and a touch of whimsy, this would be a room fit for princesses... or at least, a room fit for their own little princesses.

Colette, armed with determination and a stack of organic gardening books, set out to transform the chateau's garden into a bountiful source of organic produce for their hotel guests. With 86 acres of land, one large kitchen garden, four fruit orchards, one greenhouse, and two lakes to manage, she had her work cut out for her. Let's just hope she can figure out how to keep the garden from flooding and avoid concrete-like soil.

Like any good chateau, Chateau Ribagnac had a wine cellar stocked with delicious French wines. And after a hard day's work, Patrick, Colette, and the team would often raid the cellar for a well-deserved moment of relaxation. Little did they know that the storm clouds were brewing, both metaphorically and literally, and that their renovation project was about to face its biggest challenges yet.

As the floods hit Haute-Vienne and water started seeping into every nook and cranny of the chateau, Patrick and Colette were faced with a harsh reality. Their carefully planned renovation project was in danger of falling apart. With a dwindling cash supply, rooms in disarray, and a garden in ruins, they questioned whether buying the chateau was a dreadful mistake. But hey, when life gives you water, make water damage insurance claims.

In the midst of chaos and mounting pressure, Patrick, Colette, and their dedicated team pressed on. Day and night, they worked tirelessly to keep up with the builders and meet their tight renovation schedule. From demolishing ceilings to battling blisters, they tackled every challenge head-on. With determination and a bit of wine from the cellar, they were determined to make their dream of a luxury hotel a reality.

With the builders moving at lightning speed, Patrick's solo efforts to catch up were futile. So, he enlisted the help of his English workmates, Tim and Steve, to join the renovation frenzy. Armed with chisels and a can-do attitude, the trio worked tirelessly, knocking things down and making progress. It was a team effort, and they were not going to let anything stand in their way.

Colette's dream of an organic garden was swiftly washed away when the worst flooding in years hit Chateau Ribagnac. Her greenhouse, once filled with promise, was now underwater, along with her hopes of a bountiful harvest. With soil turned into concrete and plans dashed, Colette faced the daunting task of starting all over again. But hey, when life hands you flooded gardens, make garden drainage a top priority.