At the end of 2011, after deciding to go to France for a “gap year”, Australian Karen Stride arrived in the country with a 12-month long stay visa with nothing but a desire to soak in the sights and sounds of her favorite European destination.
“I didn’t come to France with the intention to buy a home,” Ms Stride said. “But, while there, I did some deep thinking. My daughters were in their 20s, I was not in a relationship, and my mother had died the previous year and I just realized that life really is short.” So she began to travel around the country in the search for her own piece of the French good life.
Eventually she found her perfect slice of provincial French life in the southeastern region of Provence. “I fell in love with Provence due to its relaxed lifestyle, beautiful Medieval villages, vibrant food and antique markets, blue sky and sunshine, orchards, olive groves and vineyards,” she explaines.
“I looked at a few properties in different villages, but when I saw the faded turquoise shutters on a rundown 1800s house in the picturesque village of Saint-Remy-de-Provence, I knew I’d found what I was looking for. Despite it being very rundown I could see the potential, so I made an offer, which was soon accepted and I got the keys to my new home in France!”
“The house required total rewiring, two new bathrooms, a new kitchen, new ceilings, new floors on the ground floor and then painting and decorating — basically a total refurbishment. The old garden shed was converted into a pool house and the neglected garden was transformed into a small homage to Provence by planting olive trees, bay trees, irises, rosemary and lavender with a refreshing plunge pool surrounded by paving.”
She decided to take on the renovation single-handedly. “Yes it’s not for the faint hearted — especially in France!” she said. “Being a single woman and foreign you can be taken for a fool. Because I am an experienced interior designer I knew what the end result would be,” she explained. “I drew up detailed plans, found the various tradesmen and suppliers and I supervised the project and monitored the work closely.”
A few years later Karen once again flexed her renovation prowess and purchased a 14th century three bedroom apartment in the historic center of St Remy. And then, two years ago, she added another historic pad to her expanding French property empire with the purchase of a ground floor apartment in the same building.
“The entire building was the original presbytery for the church back in the 1300’s when the Popes were in Avignon,” she said. “There are 360 degree views over the village and across Provence from the roof terrace, which was the original stone bell tower.”
“I manage the seasonal rentals of my apartments and some other villas for their owners,” said the 64-year-old who now splits her time between Australia and Provence.
Having notched up three full renovations in the country, when she’s pressed for advice for other wannabe buyers looking to follow in her footsteps, the Aussie designer has some clear cut advice. “Firstly, come and stay for a while to make sure that it’s the right location for you,” she said. “Next, find a trustworthy agent who can help you navigate the entire buying process in English and then get recommendations from them for the various services you’ll require. It’s not often easy — especially with a renovation — but it is very satisfying. And, ultimately, this is truly a wonderful place to live.”
You can read the original article at www.realestate.com.au
The ultimate property for these Australians to renovate in France would probably be a chateau or monastery! Several French monasteries and nunneries have been converted into unique homes and hotels (it’s not everyday that you see a house with stained glass windows and a bell or two, plus some holy relics thrown in for good measure!). As for chateaux, they’re practically the French dream for many people (there are, after all, very few people who wouldn’t want to live in a palace or castle if given the opportunity!). These French castles and mansions have architectural details that contemporary “mega mansions” don’t!