Photos above by Teddy Verneuil via Lot Tourisme
Our love affair with Le Moulin started on Valentine’s Day 2020, our wedding anniversary. Sitting by the fire listening to the roaring wind and beating rain outside, our dreams of sunnier climes led us to a decision to look for a property in France.
We have always loved the French way of life, which is rooted in simple timeless pleasures – the fabulous food, the fine wine, the countryside and the culture. Just a few weeks later, we became the proud new owners of Le Moulin. Following weeks of waiting, the travel restrictions were lifted mid June. So with paperwork completed and a pleasant trip by ferry / car, we finally arrived at Le Moulin.
Love at First Sight
Straightaway, I knew that we had stumbled on a rare treasure, a place where many memories will be made. Over the weeks that followed, I have felt a deep connection to Le Moulin – our Home from Home in France. Here there is a certain peace, a quiet spirituality, a sense of belonging, a sense of pride and a big love. It is truly a special place. This is where Marc and I have chosen to write the next chapter of our own story and that of Le Moulin.
Pool Problems
When Marc and I bought Le Moulin, it was operational as a holiday rental property. We decided to honour the bookings that were already in place for summer 2020. Given our thirty years of hotel-keeping experience at Harvey’s Point, we said to ourselves, “How hard can it be”? How wrong we were! No matter what size a business is, everything has to be perfect for paying guests. Our biggest challenge was that the pool was leaking water and we were told that a new liner was needed and that it would take up to six weeks to source.
Some Craic Filling the Cracks
Thankfully there was another solution, which was to remove the liner, seal the cracks and paint it. So, it was all hands on deck, or actually in the pool, to fill the cracks with cement. Even I got good at it. Hot work in over 30 degrees heat. Our kids, Carl, James and Christina were amazing and they worked so hard to get the job done just in time for our first arrival.
Apéro Dînatoire au Moulin
Céad Míle Fáilte
With Bastille Day approaching (that’s the French equivalent of St Patrick’s Day), we decided to host a wee party for our neighbours at Saint Sulpice. It was a fun event with flavours of French and Irish food and culture. When I heard the wonderful Irish music played by Julien Loko and his band, my heart was dancing and soon it was my feet. I even managed to do a welcome speech in French. A few sips of wine really helped the flow 🙂
La France Profonde
Cooling Down In The River
There is nothing nicer than a refreshing dip in the river Célé, situated at the bottom of our garden. No matter what time of day, whether early in the morning or as the sun dips gently down behind the trees, you really feel at one with nature. The sound of the flowing water is so soothing and the only interruptions are the birds singing their hearts out, the odd splash of a jumping fish and the laughter of people passing in their canoes.
Future Plans
There is much work to be done to bring Le Moulin to the standard that our discerning guests expect and deserve. This will be our project for the coming months. We are so excited to be restoring this special place to its former glory. It’s our very own ‘Escape to the Chateau’ dream. We will keep you posted on progress as the story unfolds. The ongoing work will mean that we are unable to commit to bookings for 2021 but all going well, we will re-open with panache and aplomb in 2022.
It will be our pleasure to welcome you.
Deirdre & Marc
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Escape to the chateau: The Irish buyers with grand designs on French living
The appeal of buying a pile in the French countryside is alive and well.
Read the full story in The Irish Times – Life & Style
Le Moulin sur Célé
46160 Saint-Sulpice
France
Tel. +33 6 73 12 71 74
Email: stay@lemoulinsurcele.com
GPS: 44°34’05.9″N 1°48’03.7″E
Opening Times:
Open all year round
