They bought a run-down house in France for 30,000 euros and turned it into a 5-star guesthouse: “The place is pure heaven”. How much they want to sell it now

A family living in France has revealed how they turned a run-down house into a five-star guesthouse. The stone house from the 16th century is located near Turenne, in France and cost the two only 30,000 euros.

By the Observator editorial team on 27.03.2024, 17:27

Lucy Bayet and her husband Oliver Walker purchased a 16th-century stone cottage just outside Turenne in the Dordogne Valley, France. In 2019, the couple bought the nearly collapsed house, which had been uninhabited for 120 years, for only 35,000 euros, writes The Sun.

When they bought the property, the couple were looking for a place to “put down roots”. “We signed for the house in 2019. We were ready to settle down,” Lucy told Sun Travel Online. Before buying the stone house, Lucy worked as a model for brands such as Next and M&S, while Oliver was a DJ in Ibiza.

The two then became licensed massage therapists and qualified yoga teachers. After organizing stays for their students in Ibiza, Lucy and Oliver got married in France and had two children together. The two have worked hard to turn their newly purchased property in Turenne into ‘home’.

Lucy and Oliver fell in love with the romantic charm of the place

“When we found the house, there were cows living inside the building,” Lucy said. Despite the animals found crouching in the ancient ruins, Lucy and Oliver fall in love with the place’s romantic charm, including the scraps of leather that were left behind by the town’s former shoemaker. “We needed to settle down somewhere and we had the opportunity to do something that was affordable. At the time, that was all we could afford,” added Lucy.

Even though the two bought the house for next to nothing, they pumped between €150,000 and €200,000 into transforming the building. They hired French builders and craftsmen to help realize their vision. Although there were some renovation challenges along the way, Lucy and Oliver took them one step at a time.

The French cottage was called the Fig House and includes several amenities

Inside the French cottage, which was named the House of Figs, Lucy built a fireplace and a special place for yoga. Other amenities of the two-bedroom property include a kitchen with large windows, an outdoor dining area with hilltop views, a barbecue area and high-speed fiber optic internet.

Hosts Lucy and Oliver can offer other services to guests, including a yoga class, massage, firewood and baby accessories. Located in the Turenne Valley, nearby attractions include nature parks, caves and water sports. Brive La Gaillarde Airport is the closest airport to the rural escape, with direct flights operating from Paris. Toulouse Airport is a two-hour drive from Turenne.

How much is a 3-night stay in April at the 16th century cottage

The holiday home has been praised by tourists on Airbnb. “We had a wonderful stay at Oliver and Lucy’s beautiful, historic, lovingly restored stone cottage. It was quiet, charming, comfortable and a great base for exploring the region,” someone wrote. “This place is pure heaven. Lucy and Oliver are wonderful hosts. They gave us lots of recommendations for things to do and places to eat. We did almost everything they recommended and loved every bit of it.” show another review.

A three-night stay at Casa Smochinilor costs 440 euros for two people in April.

Despite continued praise from visitors, Lucy and Oliver are ready for their next challenge. “It has come to the point where we have completed the project and are ready for our next challenge,” said Lucy. The pair are looking to sell their heritage property for €396,000 (£339,490). But until they find a buyer, they’re still encouraging tourists to book nights through Airbnb.