The house needed little structural renovation, the authentic chestnut wood floors, plasterwork, fixtures and fireplaces are beautiful. It meant that Robynne could concentrate on getting the house decorated and furnished. She was fascinated by the history of her home but found it hard to find out details since most of the documents were lost almost a century ago, though in its location next to the Chateau Arzaas, it was likely built by nobility.
Local artisans have transformed the house into a gorgeous, comfortable and stylish home, though it took a lot longer than estimated. “It takes time to understand a property” she says, “and I wanted to make sure that the restoration was authentic and the best it could be”. In fact what she thought would take a year or two, took 12 years in total. There was a lot to consider, for instance the 300-year-old wooden staircase which is heritage listed for its unique construction as it is entirely free standing without vertical support beams and needed to be completely preserved.
During this time she made friends with her neighbours and the families of the French mountain guides and got to know the area well. It’s a village with a rich natural heritage, and thanks to its mountain environment it has preserved its authentic pastoral character.
Perfect for nature lovers, the beautiful landscape is stunning, wild and totally unspoiled. “It’s a place where foraging for mushrooms such as girolles and cèpes, and wild berries is the norm” she says, “it is an absolutely joy to experience a way of life that most of us think simply doesn’t exist anymore”.