The Mill was enormous and had been abandoned for several years. Roofs needed repairing, there was no kitchen or bath-room. It felt unloved. It was in a nice spot, but that was all. It was too big a project, I told Greg, we should just forget it" says Rebecca.
They returned to their hotel and discussed the day’s viewings. Greg was very taken with the Mill, Rebecca wasn’t, but as they talked, she says she started to come round.
The next day was beautifully sunny and they decided to revisit the Mill. “What a difference a day makes. We realised that the Mill was effectively on its own private island, with a huge mill pond and lake, plus forest either side. The stone walls glowed in the sun. It was picture perfect and truly unique. We both felt our pulses quicken and knew that our search could be over. What we didn’t know until it had utterly captured our hearts was that there was no mains water, a complicated sluice system and an insufficient and antique electricity supply. But, it was too late by then…”
Rebecca and Greg are now the proud owners of Moulin De Fontalbe and say they feel “privileged to own a beautiful property nestled in the middle of the Dordogne countryside, close to Saint-Avit Senieur with its UNESCO listed medieval abbey, picturesque villages and a long, winding river. Everyone that we have met has been welcoming and helpful”.
Their plan is to turn the Mill into a beautiful home plus a 6-bedroom gite with a yoga studio. It's an enormous project, not just the house and gite to renovate but 16 acres of land, forest, three fields and a quarry. In the meantime, home is a caravan whilst the work is ongoing. “It is tough, stressful and incredibly expensive but it will all be worth it in the end” says Rebecca.
“The mill is starting to share its secrets with us and I'm looking forward to the days when, once again, it is filled with friends, laughter, chatter and love. Our agent found our original brief the other day. It says, “don’t mind a bit of painting and decorating, but no major projects”….
Rebecca blogs about her adventures when she has time at Fontable.com
Kitchen before...
Kitchen after....