Le Figaro Nantes
They came from nothing.
And have built almost everything with the strength of their arms.
In the country of Ancenis, between Nantes and Angers, Vincent and Céline Tesnier are once again talking about them.
Since Monday, the neo-chatelains have appeared for the second time in the television program
Le château de mes rêves
, broadcast on M6.
During the first season, they were filmed when they bought the Château du Fort.
Dating from 1850, this building located in Saint-Herblon, delegated municipality of Vair-sur-Loire, belonged until then to a notable local family.
If these parents of three teenagers are back on the screens today, it's because they have a new project: "
we're interested in a second castle, twice as big and twice as dilapidated
".
Impossible to know more for the moment.
Apart from the fact that Vincent, currently director of purchasing in the medical industry, would opt in this case for a professional retraining.
Céline, an intuitive coach, will continue to support her clients in their personal development.
"
We need to get away from it all to continue to love here
," confides the latter, from a small living room, furnished with Empire style furniture.
At her side, her husband recognizes that he “
does not like the calm too much
”.
Read alsoTreat yourself to castle life
Their home, acquired in 2020 and renamed L'Escale, is almost complete.
About 30 rooms out of 45 are furnished.
When they bought it, the property was in good condition.
They split it in two.
Part of the ground floor and the second floor are dedicated to them.
The first floor is the hotel.
“
We wanted to keep the charm of the castle, bringing a touch of modernity and comfort
,” explains Céline, in front of another living room repainted in apple green.
The portraits of the first owners sit on the right and left of the main window.
Modern furniture covers the period parquet.
In the corridor, a wallpaper representing the Virgin Mary echoes a small chapel.
A secret place that is no longer used but that the forties have chosen to keep.
This lounge is reserved for guest rooms.
LT/Le Figaro
Vincent and Céline Tesnier, in the room “
L'Escale au Fort Louis
”.
LT/Le Figaro
The mixture of modern and old is found in the five guest rooms.
This decoration brings a warm side, unlike other more intimidating castles.
In the “ L'Escale en famille
” dormitory
, the ornaments invite you to travel.
The period four-poster bed sits alongside lamp bases in the shape of animals.
In "
The Romantic Stopover
", intended for lovebirds, the portrait of Marie-Antoinette above a dressing table does not suggest that a jacuzzi is hidden in the neighboring bathroom.
In "
L'Escale au Fort Louis
", whose name takes up the original designation of the castle, customers are transported to a black and gold universe of the chic baroque type.
Like everywhere,
By putting myself there in the evening, on weekends and on holidays, the bedroom takes a week to renovate and the bathroom four
”.
The heritage enthusiast received very little help.
He got into it during the Covid period.
We didn't have to hang around to welcome the public as quickly as possible and balance the budget.
Because buying a building like this is not easy, especially when you are not a billionaire.
We started in a student room of 8m2
Céline and Vincent Tesnier, owners of the Château de L'escale
Céline and Vincent, who define themselves as “
normal people
”, fully assume it: “
We started in an 8m2 student room
”.
At 24, they bought their first home in the Paris region.
Already at the time, they get used to the unexpected.
“
I had a 15-day-old baby and there was no electricity.
It was not a castle but it had already started with difficulty!
“recalls Céline.
Then, the tribe moved to a lodge in Loire-Atlantique.
Vincent carries out many construction sites himself, repaints the walls at night, and ends up building an in-ground swimming pool almost all by himself.
One summer evening in 2019, after having come across yet another program devoted to beautiful residences, the father of the family thinks more seriously than usual about embarking on the purchase of a castle.
The next morning, a visit is scheduled.
"
We had to lie a little bit
," recalls the household.
With their patter, they assure that they obviously have the means to afford such a good.
After negotiations with their bank, they end up selling their house and acquiring the much desired heritage.
They borrow 80% of the sum.
Read alsoAt the Château de La Vallière, the start-up incubator revolts heritage lovers
If they went after their dream, it required sacrifices.
They hardly see their friends anymore and only take a week's vacation a year.
At first, their children even shunned!
Before the situation is reversed: now, teenagers regularly help their parents, sometimes in exchange for pocket money, and are happy to organize parties with their friends.
But a project of this kind is studied.
Moreover, the Tesniers insist on the entrepreneurial aspect.
"
You shouldn't go there with a gun
," warns Vincent.
His handyman temperament serves him today when a hot water breakdown occurs on a Saturday evening.
“
Fortunately, we are a strong couple.
You have to be emotionally strong,
”says his wife.
“
It's great to change your life.
But it generates fatigue, stress, lack of time...
".
Moreover, by dint of taking care of others, they still haven't taken the time to finish unpacking the boxes in their own room!