When the last of the guests goes home, we allow ourselves a tiny moment to draw breath (and perhaps have a celebratory drink…) The moment doesn’t last long, because although Chez Castillon might be closed for business to the outside world, inside there’s plenty of work to be getting on with.

Owning a piece of French history comes with great responsibility, and so upkeep is a continual struggle. Those of you who have stayed with us will no doubt have seen the ‘never ending to-do list’ pinned to the kitchen wall, and winter is the ideal time to work our way through it.

This winter there are lots of (very high) ceilings to be repainted, and we have also redecorated the whole of the kitchen and the library. The tiles in the hallway are original, and need careful maintenance to preserve them and keep them looking so beautiful.

Also on our list for this winter is to write our French wills. A gloomy but necessary job which has been on our list for about four years. Given the likelihood of one of us killing the other during our decorating spree, it has been moved to a higher position…