5th Day of Christmas, The Archives & Château Cellar.
Bonjour à tous,
It’s the fifth day of Christmas at the château and something a little different for today. We take a trip to the archives in Alençon to find a little history about our beautiful home.
Returning back to the château, we show you around the only part that no one has seen, the château cellar and talk about what we plan to do with it in the future.
Stay tuned till the end for our 12 days of Christmas song 😂🥰
If you would like to join us on our family journey restoring this once abandoned château, please just follow the link below, 🥰
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🏰 Château de Lalacelle
95 le château
Lalacelle
61320
France
We just like to thank everyone for sending us some beautiful Christmas cards, we ready do appreciate it 🥰🥰
About us,
We are a family from the North-East of England following our dream to restore a beautiful abandoned french Château. We discovered the heart stopping Château De Lalacelle in summer of 2020, this beautiful architectural monument Is set in the countryside of North-West France.
The moment we visited the Château we all fell in love, from the beautiful sweeping landscape and forests, to its stunning untouched interiors and magnificent spiral staircase in the turret.
Unfortunately Château De Lalacelle has been abandoned for a number of decades so will need a lot of restoration and DIY.
Please subscribe and follow our families journey, with the up’s and down’s in moving from the UK to rural France and restoring this beautiful building to its former glory.
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/ chateaudelalacelle
#chateaudelalacelle #escapetothechateau #escapetothedreamrestoringthechateau
Love the basement ( which I think you should call the cellar). Almost medieval feel to it.
What a delight it is to hear the birds singing around the chateau.
After three years of not putting up a tree, I spent today doing just that. It was a joy and it was all inspired by you. :D Thank you.
That’s amazing Felicity! Glad we have give you some Christmas spirit :) Merry Christmas and thank you for joking us for the 12 days :)
Hi Felicity, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. Take good care of yourself! And best wishes for a blessed New Year full of joy with loving people. 🎄🐦❤️
Happy Christmas Felicity!!🎄🌲🥳💫
Merry Christmas to you 🎄🎄🎄
@@claudetteparadis3969 Thank you. To you too!
At one time the kitchen used to be in the cellar or below the living area, so that huge fireplace might be part of the original kitchen. I can see a whole bunch of possibilities there.
Yes I agree. It was the original kitchen when she was a grand old lady :)
Agree. Servants entrance, kitchens, food storage and probably a place for a couple of servants.
I agree the original kitchen is the cellar. They would cook massive meals on that hearth, butchering (see the meat hooks), that is where the staff hung out/ had meals (farm hands, stable boys, etc)
I am surprised that you were allowed to handle the documents without gloves! Great finds.
It is generally preferable to handle old documents without gloves.
@@BernardDauphinais I thought the paper would disintegrate if gloves aren't worn. Certainly they are worn in archives and museums when handling old documents.
When I saw the little shred of paper laying there I almost cried!
Have you told us how you chose this chateau? I for one would be interested in how you made your decision. What was it that made you fall in love with this chateau? Also, it would be fun if you took us through each of the rooms of the chateau and say what your vision is. In 5 years from now, you can take us through those rooms again, show us the original video and we'll see how closely your current vision is to what you'll actually create.
I love the two of you together. The way you bounce off each other makes me smile. As a literature and history student I found your visit to the archives fascinating. The original Manor House footplate is a great thing to have and those postcards remind me of the ones I had of my 1840 house in Austria. Peeling back the history is so exciting. You are now my favourite you tube channel
Thank you so much! I loved the visit too! Was fascinating just to see some of the amazing history of this place :)
@@ashleywaters7198 Thankyou for taking time to reply, I could see your enthusiasm and totally get it. I recently visited the archives in Dublin and to hold old documents is such an honour.
Absolutely fascinating to see these old documents! If you need a hand to read and translate in English some of the ones you got copies of, I would be delighted to help for the love of your project! What a fabulous way to count down to Christmas! Warmest hugs from North Yorkshire 🪵🍷🎄❄🛷🌰
What a wonderfully well-rounded family you all are. Physically willing to do the most difficult and often unglamorous work- also extremely creative and intellectually motivated to understand all the historical aspects surrounding your home,- its story. Your wholistic approach makes this journey extra special for those of us who have the privilege to join you for a peek inside of your amazing journey. I love to see the enthusiasm, because it is a massive undertaking that you have already made huge strides in - it was literally saved from the brink of total destruction. How sad that would have been. We can now all see the beauty and life returning to, as you have said, its once grand glory.
"Your humble servant" LOLOLOL....You guys are perfect for each other. I love it!
Haha. He is funny :)
Ashley, your rocking the hat! 👍🏻😊 Thank you for the history and tour.
I'm so glad that there are lots of renovations to go as can't imagine not sharing your progress over the next years. 👍👍👍👍👍👍
We will be here to share all that goes on at château de Lalacelle:)
Good thing Ash knows French to be able to translate some of these. Very fascinating,
That was probably the original kitchen where the fireplace is
I'm enjoying your Christmas countdown the most. Keep up the great work 👌🏻👏🏻🎄
Thank you so much 🙏🥰🥰
Terry, I just love your visuals, you know what you want!
❤️🏰 Thank you for the vlog; Terry, Ash, Patrick, Panda and Tracy, Tony, Jonathan, Louie, Sasha ❤️📚📓📝🎞️
That was brilliant. I loved the visit to the archives, you’ve so much to find out and your genuine enthusiasm shines through. Loved seeing the cellars too, Terry I can ‘see’ it as a kitchen, and I laughed at you talking about dismantling kitchens. So glad the five mad Brits are sharing their journey, thank you x
I think the cellar with the fireplace may have been the kitchen for the the chateau then the food taken to the little kitchen to be served to the dinning room
I love it when you two have a tiff. So sweet and hilarious to watch.
Ask Billy Petherick re his old French Chateau's book. He might be able to find your home in there x
Betcha cellar used to be kitchen. I saw meat hooks in there and that also explains the giant fireplace. At Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, the basement is the site of an enormous kitchen, laundry, butlers food pantry, Dish storage, etc.
Very interesting at the archives, and the basement! I think the very sharp hooks you showed, might be meat hooks for hanging a side of beef, or a hog on, near the kitchen, way back when! Build your bats a tower house near by, so they stay around. They are very beneficial, and eat tons of insects.
Thought I saw a meat hook hanging from the rafter. Must be cool enough to hang carcasses. All the best.
Your vision is very clear Terry, what a beautiful room to have the kitchen diner. And the journey to get there is going to be wonderful. The history search is like a mystery novel unfolding a little at a time and curiosity is building. You 5 crazy Brits...love that one.
Absolutely is Aunty Tutu :) thank you :)
The chateau carol at the end is just perfect ! Love it !
Love you guys and thank you for sharing ♥️
As one who loves history and dabbles in geneology, I found this episode fascinating!!!
Some of this would make a great bar space for guests
Billy @The Pethericks has a book with different chateau in it. He showed it on his blogs
Wonderful to have located and begun reading the historical documents.
It was amazing to see and feel the history of Lalacelle :)
I suspect that the original kitchen was where you do the laundry. Large homes from that time normally had the kitchen in the cellar. The huge fireplace probably had the hanging pots for cooking and a bread oven... etc.
you should have a special made wax seal/stamp for your correspondences and thank you letters once the chateau becomes a air bnb.
I love your bantering...lol😍😂
That’s was an interesting video. I’m surprised the curator didn’t ask you to wear gloves while handling old documents.
We were surprised too :) thank you :)
i've been waiting to see this area.
I was surprised that you were allowed to touch those very old documents with your bare hands. Most museums etc would insist on gloves. Ash, I didn't know you speak French.
I have enjoyed every minute of your transition of this chateau, what a mission, from Northern to another .
Such a delightful show…. Listen to me…. Sound British
The look see in the cellar was interesting. You are fortunate that it is dry.
Hello boys in Australia we not allowed to handle old pap wer work with out cotton. Gloves on wow loved you in archives
Enjoyed. I like the history of an estate, I hope you can find more. Nice caller.
😂the basement horror story of giant spiders and bats!!
You guys are Amazing! Not only restoring the château, u guys dive deep on the history and trying to keep it as it original as u can is soo amazing 🤍 nobody can do better than u guys! The whole family playing their part to contribute to this major projects.. sending love frm australia 🇦🇺
Finding the history is like a treasure hunt and it is so interesting. The curved ceiling kitchen will be beautiful!
The fireplace in the basement, could have been where they cooked (the kitchen) originally.
Fascinating basement!
Fascinating guys. Really loved seeing the old deeds, papers and postcards. In my work ( conveyancer) I spent a lot of time going through old deeds and papers (but in English so easier to read) - I used to call the papers “house trees” - as apposed to a family tree(not the legal term 😂). All brilliant - well done 🎄🎄
The big fireplace in the cellar could have been used as part of an old kitchen. It could have also been part of an old laundry.
The original part of the cellar looks as though it was a summer kitchen. With the large hearth and fresh water. The ceiling hooks were for hanging freshly butchered side slabs cattle. Something else to research.
Cooking fireplace my parents bedroom had a huge fireplace that was the cooking fireplace. It might also been an original heating system. Use some of your old paneling taken down from elsewhere for this area here.
This is going to be very interesting. 🎄🎄
I can the kitchen in that space. It will be a great area:)
This was very interesting 😊
Alterations down the years done on surface so older building 🏫 bits often stayed at basement level with everything xtra walls and pillers to support building above.
Your version of the song is just brilliant! LOVE IT!
Thank you :) hopefully it gets better 😂😂
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Thank you for the history lesson....wow, what a place you live in! Love your musical ending after each vlog! You are all troopers!!!!
Thanks Norma :)
It's always great to know about the history, the origins of a property. I am pleased for you you've learned a little bit more. If the church has archives it might be interesting too.
The coat hook in the cellar reminds me of the 1960's style. The ball ends were often bright red or blue
The large fireplace In the basement may have been used to heat the Chateau. Warm the basement with a large fireplace. The warm air rises to the ground floor of the Chateau & the fireplaces on the ground floor don't have to be to big. This having a knock on effect throughout the building. There's a handful of houses In North Ormesby that have really small cellars all equipped with fireplaces for this exact purpose. Save on the heating bills. I was slightly distracted by Alfie at the point you were discussing the large fireplace. Thus I don't know if the chimney that serves It Is able to function for extracting the smoke. If It Is I think at some point you should have a go at reinstating It. Somewhere to dry your Undercrackers. 👍😁
That's a fun family journey. I always look forward to see the next episode. 😘
It caught my ear the name of the officer with the broken hand, it was the name or at least a similar name in a Dumas novel. Then you said Dumas lol! General Dumas was the father of the writer of The Three Musketeers. (And other wonderful books 🥰)
Loved finally getting to see the basement! Would of liked it if you would of kept the camera on the walls while you were talking. About the time you would start showing the walls then you would span next to you guys. Although I do see the love you guys have for the place.
Yes me too. Love you guys and the info and chat just would like to see more of the rooms you are in, to see it as a whole .. take in the size and shape of the room plus the features. Such a beautiful place.
Yes - I’d love a real POV tour of the basement and whole chateau, showing how all the spaces connect.
You two are such a cute couple!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing Chateau restoration with us. Love all the gentle ribbing and banter between you all. Lots of love and positive vibes from California!
Amazing to be able to look at the actual letters, records and see the beautiful handwriting.
The archives was very, very cool. I think I will check out the outbuildings video because I have also been confused as to where the family room is. My main take away.... Ash doesn't like creepy crawlies.
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It was so exciting to accompany you and Ash to the library as you discovered papers and records that reference your wonderful treasure, La La Celle! Thank you for sharing that with us - that was very special. The two of you complement each other so well, you really made me laugh out loud and it is all in good fun. I love hearing all the plans that you have for the chateau and will be here every step of the way. With pleasure!
I think this is fascinating, I love to hear about the history, You mentioned stained windows, are there any left? Spiders the size of your hand😵💫EEK! I've only just started watching but this video has been my favorite so far.. Thank you both very much for sharing🙂!
Best episode yet! Your production value is really good, I felt like I went to the library with you. You guys are a great couple. I've been with my husband for 18 years now. We are restoring a Victorian house in the US. We have a similar relationship to you. Great to spend time with your best friend.
The room with a fireplace in a cellar most likely has been the original kitchen of the chateau. It was a common practice to keep the kitchen downstairs. Think of "Downton Abbey". The fireplace is big enough to take a whole pig or lamb. The meat hooks on a ceiling and the well point towards the kitchen. Your present tiny kitchen upstairs is 20th century invention. So brining the kitchen back downstairs is a great idea. Other parts of the cellar would have the scullery for washing up and laundry, larder for storing the food; wood and coal storage room, not to forget the wine cellar and the boot room at the entrance. The food would be brought upstairs via the staircase. The "downstairs" usually tell more stories about the daily life of a manor house that the "upstairs". The post cards are beautiful and very useful in recreating the look of the house and the gardens. Hope you will find more interesting facts about your chateau in archives. It is all very fascinating.
Laundry in the dungeon
So fascinating. I love seeing these other areas. You are very fortunate 😃🙏🏻 I’d love to see you filming the outside right around and going through the doors to get a clearer idea. So beautiful
When I walk into an old building or home I’m overwhelmed with a feel that I lack the vocabulary to put into words. That STRONG feeling goes straight through me from head to toe. It pulls at me as though I belong, like a warn welcoming. In fact, nothing has ever had such a wonderful effect on me here on earth. That is also true with anything that has survived time. Old tool, furniture, cars, dishes, glassware, pottery, light fixtures, rugs, old lumber, bricks (especially trees) and digging in my garden finding old rusty JUNK as some would say, I like rust to a limit. Of course my favorite are old homes and the wise elderly. I love history and the tells/stories of the past. Oh one more thing…. Archaeology. I’ve been to Israel and Egypt. I watch the British show Time Team with Tony and the guys, fascinating. Mick was my favorite, he past away.
Get those documents translated! They are written in old French, & the manner they wrote the letters of the alphabet is full of flourish, during the 1600 to 1800s . It really takes time to catch on to reading these documents. I learned to read church, & notarial documents from 1668 in La Nouvelle France ( now Quebec, Canada) ,when my ancestors arrived in Quebec from Normandy, during the reign of King Louis X1V. But these days skilled archivists are employed & can be hired to translate these type of old documents,which can teach you a lot about the history of your chateau. History is fascinating, but once you get somebody to show you where to look to find the original documents which are usually notarized by the French. Thank goodness for the French fixation for bureaucracy, and the Catholic Church obliging priests to document every betrothal, marriage, birth & baptism, and death & church cemetery interment. It was invaluable in my research of my Grandfather’s French Canadian ancestry. But, it is not a quick process but just like pulling a thread, the answer to one question makes you pose another question! Good luck with the history of the chateau.
Five crazy brits indeed... :)
Please do a walk through EVERY room of the chateau and show all the rooms. It is fascinating to see buildings that are older than my country.
That was absolutely fascinating getting more of the history. Love the basement - great space.
That is the original kitchen to the house even in America in the 1700s it isn't uncommon to see kitchens in the basement. (Early form of central heating). Also the well is there for convenience as well as protection of a safe water supply.
Watched this again today. You did say DeMoss, correct? They are my ancestor's! We go way back to Count De Moss and then back from there. Exciting.
You should have a wax seal made for the chateau. .. since the old one isn’t available ..
We stayed in a very old hotel in France where the breakfast kitchen area was in the cellar. It was gorgeous all whitewashed, tables set on the different floor levels. It was so special. This chateau is going to be so special.
Hi guys, I've been enjoying your Advent series very much. I enjoy a few other utube vloggers like you and my cat only watches you. I don't know if it's your voices or what but I find it funny so see her just stop walking by and to watch you. The first time I noticed it was when she stopped to watch Patrick and since then she watches. If shes sleeping she'll get up, if she hears you all. I wanted to make a comment about the fireplace in the basement/cellar. I believe, based on the other shows I watch about old homes, the kitchen was always in the stone basement in an effort to keep the house from catching fire. If it wasn't in the basement it was in it's own building. It would make sense that there would have been a bread oven. It wasn't until more modern times that the kitchen came up stairs. I think because perhaps they could not afford to keep servants, it was too cold in the basement for the homeowner. They made small kitchens because thats all they need. Did you say something about a fireplace in one of the small outbuildings? I'm thinking that a servant lived in that room. A lot of space was not usually given to servants for living. He/she could have been the gardener, gameskeeper, or even the one who cared for the horses (can't think of who that person is called right now!) I'm so happy that you two found info on your chateau at the archives. Prayerfully you will find out much more about your home when you go back. Merry Christmas!! Katherine
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The both of you are honestly very entertaining to listen to.
Fascinating and insightful, such richness in taking on a project such as this....can't wait for more details to evolve. Find myself wondering how so many of these Chateaus were not decimated during the war...etc. I think this is not just a cellar....it's a story in itself with those massive arches....those workmen that would've been involved, oh what tales they would have and, how can we but admire their work and efforts. The two of you are hilarious, how lucky you are to have found each other! and, of course with differing strengths...and here you have KZhead recording your journey together. So very interesting...all of it, and so very well done. ❤️🇨🇦 Mariya
Thank you Mariya :) we know there are hundreds that were plundered and torched during the war. Our little beautiful old girl still stands tall :) You feel the history when you are in the cellar. There is such a different feel to the building down there. It’s as it if wants to tell you it’s stories :)
What a grand adventure to unravel the history & mystery of this renovation. Your efforts might inspire a novel or two! If only the place could talk! I loved the cellar tour. Being on our farm, the spiders don't phase, although I got bit by one while ( whilst?) helping someone move. It left a series of bulls eye rings the size of a tea saucer on my leg :-O Almost made me head for hospital! That fire place must have been a kitchen extension of some sort. Would have been cool in summer. You may come across similar in other estates. This is a divine mystery to solve and put to rights. Press on lads. I am so enjoying taking this walk through time! ~ Diane
Thanks Diane. Yes spiders are my one huge fear! 😂😂 We will keep digging until we have found out all we can :)
Ash- Spiders do not like peppermint! Find a nice light body spray, like " Aura Cacia" (Amazon?) Give yourself a spray before dressing and on the outside of your clothes, when planning to dig around the cellar. It is also lovely for linens. Merry Christmas! ~ Diane
The large fireplace in the basement could speak for the original kitchen of the manor house and the later chateau. Kitchens were never planned on the bel etage in such buildings. This is where the representative family rooms were planned.
I agree with Ant, the room with the fireplace would have been the original kitchen with that huge fireplace and the meat hooks in the ceiling. Absolutely love the basement and would love to see the room with the fireplace become maybe the dining room for the guests to use. Would be a shame to only use it for storage. Love from Canada 🇨🇦
Church achives usually have the marriages and births or christening if you have a name. Also wills are public records. Keep a log on verbal info so you can research and confirm or extract from the truth. Maybe even eventually hold a local community fair with your historical society on the front grounds to see what kind of info or rumors you can get on this place. Even the old local newspaper held gossip and who would be coming into town to visit the château might be interesting what you'd find out. The château is just beautiful and it will only get more gorgeous and special as you continue to shape her.
You know you’re in the doghouse if he starts using your humble servant, lol. A suggestion about the postcards, I know a lot of the other chateau owner have put them in frame and things. But another idea that I love, is people dressing up in period attire having pictures taken on blank background and then having their image placed into older pictures. Its how the time traveller conspiracy started. Is there internal access to the basement kitchen or do you have to go outside from the main chateau to then access the basement kitchen.
What was the renovation chateau you suggested to watch where they are just starting? I love watching you and with French ancestors in Normandy it makes me feel like I belong too!
It’s called @Journey to the château, Patrick and Stuart are great 🥰
Ash: Don’t you tell lies!! I died laughing!!!! Terry’s “just” telling his side of the story😂😂😂
Fascinating. Will you be able to make copies of documents if you should want to?
Yes Desire :) we took photos of a lot :)
Fascinating. Wonderful you both have a passion for history and the history of your home. Are you planning for people to stay in the château like a bed and breakfast? I might have missed you talking about that if you mentioned it already. If I could come help I would best be suited to the garden or feeding people.
I am so enjoying these 12 days of Christmas. Reminds me of when I used to decorate All my grandchildren are pretty well grown. All 8 pf them. No since in decors ting when n one comes to visit. I love little Jonathan. He brings so much energy to your lives. He is precious. . Those are the things I miss the most that is why I look forward to this every day. I Merry holidays from Tulsa Oklahoma
Very interesting .
Not Christmassy but I enjoyed it :)
again brilliant so much history and mention of a bar perfect
Yes we will definitely have a bar somewhere. Not sure where yet :)
Very interesting vlog regarding the history of the chateau. You are fortunate to have so much available to you. I can definitely see why you would recreate the kitchen. It will be wonderful.