Oh my gosh, Dan. This video, especially the beginning is SUCH a work of art! I’ve seen so many aspects of your fundamental artistic nature, and this one was maximum!!! I know this huge vision for the chateau will also come to fruition. I wish sometime you would talk about your attitude. You seem to find an idea that turns you on, and then you begin! You don’t seem to let doubt stop you. There’s something so magical, so important about your approach to going big and reaching for the joy in your life. Pessimism and “I don’t have the means” don’t seem to enter the equation. Would you let us know sometime about your point of view? Your thought-action process? It’s a joy to behold and I think could provide a really great template for those of us looking to make things happen ourselves, but get bogged down. In any case, I really want to thank you for who you are and for really showing how an artist can express himself in everything he takes on. From food to flowers, kitchen islands to chateaus! Not to mention amazing video shooting and editing along with being a papa and friend, and comedian!
My boss used to use the saying 'there are those that watch it happen, those that make it happen and those who wonder how it ever happened '. I reckon Dan just makes it happen as most positive people do😉
Dear Dan, so very brave what you're doing! Honour to you for starting to restore this château, giving France and all of us back a part of cultural heritage!
It may not seem so to some , but you actually have alot to work with . I follow a few Chateau's and I am most excited to see you bring this beautiful place back to life !!! 💖💖💖
Cool to see the name displayed. Floors being added in will be a huge step forward for whole building's stability and usability. Good luck with finding the right beams for weight carrying and right logs for the floors.
The sign is beautiful Dan! I so love how you are going to bring life back to this awesome building ... All the best to you and Gob Bless you for what you are doing. You need Nick's chipper!!! lol
What would be absolutely beautiful Is... the co co chanel industry becoming a very large paying patron helping to bring this amazing building back to its glory 🙌 I feel it's a brilliant idea.... Let's see maybe they will 🤷♀️🥰
I have camped at Chaumont Bay in New York State, USA. Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont's son named Jacques Le Ray (1760-1840) went to America in 1785. There, he acquired a property in Otsego county, New York where he built the first saw-mill. Known in America as James, the English translation for "Jacques, Le Ray Jr. also made large land purchases in the State and on 17 July 1789 he married Grace Coxe from New Jersey and became an American citizen. He signed the marriage bond as Le Ray de Chaumont, but in the body of the instrument his name is entered as James Donatien Le Ray de Chaumontt.[1] The towns of Le Ray, New York, Chaumont, New York and the borough of LeRaysville, Pennsylvania are named after him."
Dan, your artistic creation for the chateau’s entrance is beautiful - you did a fantastic job! I’m really eager to watch you actually begin renovations. You’re very fortunate that the structural members are in good enough condition to take measurements. You have a lot of original photos of the intact building and other information that will be very helpful in recreating the its iconic beauty.
Thank you for giving the château its name back. Unfortunately, we see that many British people coming in our region give an English name with a plate on the wall...) to the place they buy, which is not only forbidden in France but also very impolite, and does feel like colonialism. You're welcome to come to France as long as you respect the culture, language and mingle with the locals.
Poor Dan-He's good but he's still a Dad of two littles and working on the farmhouse!!! I'd love to see more videos too, but there are limits to what one man can do!! lol!!
Thank you so much wonderfulness!!!! That little song! What a wonder. I admire and respect how thorough you are with your research and attention to detail PLEASE DO NOT pay attention to the comments that would belittle your efforts, you are all worth so much more.
So looking forward to the full stories behind the children of the Chateau , I hope some of them are still here and are able to make the place live again through their spirit ,their chaim of life . .Fascinatingplace, THANKYOU for giving us a story that counts , RESILIENCE IS EVERYTHING, OVERCOMING , STRENGTHENING THE VITAL THINGS THAT REMAIN ! 😀
I love your Chateau's beautiful name sign, that you have made yourself for your Chateau. You are truly giving love from your heart and soul back to this, your special place. These steps you are taking now, at the start of your incredible, and exciting journey, to bring her back to life, will be your own history of your Chateau, that you are making now, to hand down to your own lovely children. Bless you, and Bless your beautiful Chateau. Love the movember look by the way! xxx
Loved the name plate. Thought you looked unwell, hope that's not the case. Lovely to see so much woodwork has survived. Can see new glass in the windows already! Really looking forward to next video, just wish it was longer.
I am glad you checked with civil engineers mate! Better to be safe now, than sorry later! This is definitely an epic DIY project! I wish the craftsmen from the U.S. PBS show, “This Old House” were there to give you a hand! Cheers! Thomas!
@@spiritofanu3112 Not to mention the fact that building regs have changed A LOT over the past 120 years and I'm not sure replacing like for like is considered acceptable in such a massive rebuild (this isn't like you're replacing one or two floor joists in an otherwise intact house). Most things have to be a lot beefier than they used to be back in the old days. Especially floor joists were sometimes woefully undersized, reducing in scarily bouncy floors.
Hello Dan. You need a working party of mates to help you to clear out the rubble and give you a head start . You seemed to have helped everyone else . Good luck .
Yes my thoughts exactly. Get a group together. Remove all wooden windows and doors so that you can throw garbage out of any room, and to save them for later models to get new ones done. Get a few truck mounted garbage bins outside to get the material out of the yard. Then, scaffolding both full inside and outside perimeter to build on as move upwards.
WOW. How brilliant to have a song written by the children saved 😍Love the sign and can’t wait to your plan put into action. There be no shortage of firewood 🪵 Thanks for sharing 😍🙏
Dan giving the chateau its name back as a primary activity is a wonderful gesture. Such a loving thing to do to a place that you will give all of your love, talent and hard work in the days and years to come.
Nothing like putting a name on it to make it feel like it's yours. Terrific metal work. The Chateau looks so much better without the overgrowth and the tree in the middle. Thanks for sharing the song. :)
I"m really glad that you got this chateau. You are so creative, energetic and positive I know it will be "epic", like you !!!! Am looking forward to the journey ... this journey and all your others !! Blessings !!!
I’m blown away with every video you produce Dan. Happy to see you’re participating in Movember again. Excited to see what you’re doing. Live long and Prosper beautiful Chateau de Chalmont
hi Dan, It was lovely to revisit the beginning of the Escape to Rural France video as a prelude to the renovation and full repair of the Chateau. So often the music on a youTube story is irritating but the tone of this post was a real winner - the music and the introduction to Nick the arborist expert all gelled together perfectly and really worked. No wonder so many people really do appreciate you, a lot..
I’m so excited to see your renovation. With your ideas and your enthusiasm I know it will be beautiful. I love the intro, sharing the history of this incredible home.
"Aucune fête, aucune distraction n'est offerte aux enfants de Chaumont" How sad it is !!!! 😟Poor children ... Well... it was the time ... It is part of the history of this house, and i'm happy, now coms a new part !
Can't wait to see how you rebuild this beautiful chateau. You are such a good worker and have good vision and talent. I love how you have brought this beautiful place to life just by putting the name of the Chateau at the front gate. Well done Dan. Big cuddles for the boys. Xx
When you start really working I hope you make the videos longer by doing time-lapse. I enjoy watching how things come along. Like when Amery was doing the grand salon.
Great idea, Dan! I am a firm believer in deconstruction and reconstructing it the same way. I learned reupholstering by carefully taking the cloth off and using it as a general pattern for the new coverings. Saved a lot of material that way. I find old buildings fascinating. The old rooms were 16 feet wide cus the strongest log beams began failing if over 16 ft long. I love having windows on both sides. I love high ceilings, so the heat rises moves out of the room and the tile flooring brings coolness up into the room. We can add to this with modern technology, in floor heating, etc. I'm in the planning stage for my forever Manor house which will look like an old chateau but with all the modern conveniences, of course! It's in my own 3.5-acre forest in a nature reserve. I'm blissfully happy! Watching you will be as if you were my building contrator! LOL
Would love a translation of the opening children’s song. Looking forward to all the renovations. Enjoy watching your unique recordings! The music is great too!
LOVE the sign there, Dan. Good job. We are thirsting for more from you!! We are used to your daily vlogs. A short one once a week isn't enough. We want more! 😜
My brother in law had massive rooms in his house. He had iron rods that went through the walls close to ceiling heighth , going outside with iron S shape exterior finials, that actually kept the walls square. The walls had to be braced with iron to stay square. In another house of his that caught fire, the limestone walls crumbled to dust. He salvaged a huge collection of antique hand wrought tools from the ashes for the new house.
First of all l love your music. It is who you are don't change it please . Love your huge enthusiasm. Love each videos, just wish we had more, but realise how much work you have and responsibilities so l much appreciated all what you share. Stay safe dear Daniel and much love to your family, from 🇦🇺 🪃 🇦🇺 🪃 🇦🇺 Australia
This chateau has such a rich history with such well known names, but it still stand abandoned and forgotten. I'm so glad you're bringing it back to life and giving it its name back.
I see people are all excited and want more, bigger, better and for longer. We all look forward to it all! However I also realize that you’re still working on the house, your families home. If you don’t finish that you won’t have greater chunks of time for the Chateau right? You and the boys need quality time as well. I can’t even imagine how excited the kiddos must be about their “own Chateau”, kids enthusiasm is so awesome! It would be fun to see you or Stephanie Jarvis to set up a scene with them for talk show style Chateau interviews. You guys could pull off such a funny sketch- your kids hilarious.
Fascinating to see the building through your eyes, as you explained what you would be doing to restore it to its former splendour. A mammoth undertaking, but your enthusiasm to achieve what you set out to do is compulsive viewing. Everyone viewing this video would be cheering you on all the way. I’m sure you would have eager volunteers, from enthusiastic amateurs who would be the labourers to help you clear away, to skilled people, probably queuing up to assist you in accomplishing your dream of restoration. Best wishes to you and your lovely family in all your endeavours 😊👍
Dan I forgot all about the Cheatue sign you made long time ago. It looks wonderful displayed on your wall of the Cheatu. The stories about the kids is wonderful. I hope you keep finding history...
Yes, Dan , you are re-writing history! It takes a special person with a resilient character and strong visualization skills to take it forward . Who knew that installing that lettering for the sign would be so involved? You did a stellar job. It looks amazing!!!
Looking better each time DAN THE RESTORE MAN. will be such a lovely building when finished and so much history. A nice piece of music written and sung after 80yrs. Loved watching😘