A Gloucestershire couple has embarked on an ambitious mission to restore a historic French village, but the extensive renovation has left their finances stretched amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Tony and Terry, both furniture restorers, purchased the village of Chicheville in Deux-Sèvres, France, for approximately £51,000 (around 60,000 euros) through an online property listing.

The village, dating back to the 1800s, includes three cottages, a pig sty, a barn, outbuildings, and a small woodland. While the couple can only afford basic repairs and maintenance at the moment—waiting for their home in the UK to sell—they remain determined to preserve the historic structures.

Preserving a Piece of History

Speaking on Channel 4’s Help! We Bought a Village, Tony reflected on the significance of their project:

“We’re protecting a part of France. We’re saving something that otherwise might disappear and basically become a pile of stones. There’s so much family, so much history here, living over generations. It’s a shame to see that go.”

Terry shared her first impressions of the property, recalling that she was captivated the moment she saw the listing online:

“I know there’s a lot of work to be done on the inside, but the actual house and the ground and where it is was just beautiful.”

The cottages are traditional stone constructions, with the main building historically serving as the village hub, where farmers lived on the ground floor with haylofts above. Inside, remnants of 16th-century traditions, like terracotta pots embedded in walls for good luck, remain as a testament to centuries of craftsmanship.

Renovation Challenges

Due to work commitments and visa restrictions, the couple has been unable to spend long stretches in the village. Their visit in October 2024—their first in six months—revealed the effects of partial abandonment. Overgrown ivy, bushes, and weeds threaten the structural integrity of several derelict buildings.

Tony and Terry have undertaken careful restorations to maintain the village’s historic charm. Their efforts include exposing old stonework, removing modern alterations, and converting areas into functional yet authentic spaces.

One notable transformation is a small sitting area in the main cottage, now a cozy “cocktail lounge” with cushioned throws, soft lighting, and faux palm trees—offering a space for relaxation after long days of work.

Terry emphasized their philosophy of preservation:

“We just want it to look how it would’ve looked before. We don’t really like some of the methods people use when restoring houses nowadays.”

The couple has also been preparing for the winter months, collaborating with a local expat neighbor and builder, Peter, to install guttering and downpipes to protect the cottages from heavy rain.

Villages for Sale in France

The experience of Tony and Terry highlights a growing trend: entire French villages being listed for sale at surprisingly low prices. Across France, small rural settlements, often in need of restoration, can be acquired for modest sums due to declining populations, urban migration, and high renovation costs.

Other buyers have pursued similar ventures. Paul Mappley and Yip Ward, landscape gardeners from the UK, purchased the historic hamlet of La Buslière in Normandy for just €14,000 in April 2021. The village includes six cottages, two barns, a paddock, a two-story workshop, a cider press, and a communal bread oven. They aim to transform it into a holiday destination, despite personal challenges and the structural demands of the old buildings.

Such purchases reflect a combination of opportunity and challenge. While villages in rural France offer unique charm and historical value, buyers must invest heavily in renovation to address aging roofs, crumbling walls, and outdated infrastructure. Yet, for couples like Tony and Terry, the reward is preserving cultural heritage while creating a new life in the French countryside.

Cultural and Personal Motivation

For Tony and Terry, the project is not only about property investment. It represents a connection to history and community. By saving the cottages and outbuildings, they hope to honor the generations of families who lived and worked there. Tony explained:

“You’ve got to rescue these houses before they disappear. Like the rest of the hamlet, really.”

Their story mirrors that of other expats who have embraced the challenge of restoring villages across Europe. Whether converting structures into holiday rentals, creating retreats, or simply safeguarding historic sites, these endeavors illustrate a growing appreciation for rural heritage and sustainable preservation.

A Glimpse into the Future

While financial pressures remain, Tony and Terry are committed to seeing the project through. The sale of their UK home will provide a much-needed cash injection, allowing them to expand renovations and potentially bring more of the village back to life. For now, they focus on protecting the existing structures, maintaining safety, and preserving historical features.

Their journey is a testament to the resilience and vision required to restore rural French villages—balancing financial realities with a passion for heritage preservation. For those interested in buying similar properties, France offers opportunities to acquire entire villages, but success depends on patience, dedication, and careful planning.

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