THE MYSTERY OF THE CHATEAU'S MISSING LAKE!!! 

I would hire a lawyer and sue that water dept for fraud. Terrible people. They should pay the full price to reinstate the lake. I wish you good luck.

I would metal detect that lake, never know what treasures were thrown/lost in the lake 😱😍

Perhaps you can start a GoFund me type campaign to bring the Lake back. I would certainly donate to this. Just to bring the beauty back.

You might want to have a metal detector swing over the areas where people frequented. You just might find historical items just off shore in the soil.

And another woman will fight for Lalande - it’s both poetic and inspiring. if you were damaging the land or gutting is he house of its history it would be different, but I see you as saving the history and celebrating the culture.

I hope your lake returns soon - and those officials set sail upon it in a suitably leaky boat!

Remember to watch the adverts everybody and support the channel 💜💜💜

Oh my god how wonderful to see that and to hear the determination in your voice that you are finding the strength to take it on board, well done, you are amazing and everyone will be 100% behind you and the journey , I dreamt of seeing the mill house since it would played such an integral part in the workings of Lalande and the bread to feed everybody, the woods and streams are magical, pure joyful magic and I resolve I shall visit one day, congratulations dear girl x

I feel outrage with you about the lake! Glad I’m a patron.

I watched this episode years ago and seeing it again amazes me because now in 2024 I know how far Lalande has come, you are a miracle woman Stephanie. Brilliant.

Absolutely stunning, can't wait to see the lake back to it's former glory. There is nothing better than the sound of birds, water & the breeze in the trees. Xxx❤️🇬🇧😍

It would be beautiful to also restore the mill and open a cafe and bakery!

Now I am visiting The Chateau in June for the Photo de Femmes Festival Weekend and I am now a Patreon and also look forward to volunteering too. Plus I am also looking forward to help support a fund to reestablish the Lake! Now I’m able to truly live vicariously through all of the beautiful people of Leland’s!!! Thank you Stephanie for sharing your life with all of us who admire and dream of living in your dream world. Thank you for sharing and letting us be a part of your dream.

Oh, thank you, Stephanie, for this Sunday walk in the woods! I feel blessed that I am helping, in my small way, to restore this magical place.

I’m so pleased to hear your enthusiasm about the lake,you need to have a huge open day to raise money to start the work on your lake,I’m sure everyone of your fans wishes your every success in getting the lake restored to its former glory x

I think I would have collapsed having been presented with that shocking news, Stephanie. I can't imagine the sleepless nights you would have had hearing that you had to drain the lake or receive a fine. Thank goodness you did your homework. I'm pleased your are feeling considerably more optimistic. I'm delighted that you are going to salvage the boathouse. Great having the stream on your property. I love the sound of running water. The possibilities for picnics on the property are endless. Thanks for including us on the tour. Darryl

Love how passionate you are in restoring the lake back! Yours is definitely a unique story here in France. Loved knowing that you are receiving support through Patrons!

I’m looking forward to the Lalande photo - I plan to frame it and make it a part of my faux chateaux (i.e., my apartment).

Oh Stephane your determination is Grand! The work done so far I have NO trepanations the lake will become what was!!!!!!!!!

I am fan of your channel and I also happen to be a policy maker at the European Commission. I can’t help myself but to say that its truly distressing to hear that a meaningful regulatory work gets misinterpreted by the local authorities to the extended that you have experienced. I wish you all the strength and optimism on your restoration journey! And I am looking forward to see the Chateu Lalande back at its former glory!

Thank you Stephanie for sharing the struggle & injustice you’ve experienced re your beautiful lake. The entire ecosystem there has been altered! Sending strength to you, Lady of the Lake of Lalande💙

Don’t beat yourself up, we all have been taken advantage of by government officials. At least one thing Has come of this is that you have learned, no one will take advantage of you again. ❤️🇨🇦 How lovely your property is 🌺🌺☀️

Yes, you would think what they did would be illegal. But you are so determined I am sure the lake will be back before too long. Wishing you much luck.

This is my new happy place on youtube. I like old places, gardens and restorations but what made your channel extra special is your zest and passion. You were giddy when you described the moss covered rocks. The pleasure of simple things:)

Thank you so much Stephanie for this wondrous walking tour of your land. It is truly beautiful. I got involved here with you because of Dan’s vlog, Escape to Rural France. I have been watching your Chateau Diaries from the beginning to try and catch up to where I am with Dan. I am where he redid the pantry for you so I will wait him there while I catch up with you here to the same point. I am having the BEST time watching your vlogs! ! !

I hate to hear what happened to the lake. That was horrible! As a lover of history, I truly appreciate your enthusiasm for restoring the chateau & surrounding areas. It's just beautiful! Best of luck

Thank you Stephanie for the tour of the woods/grounds/lake..I was totally mesmerized. I was wondering if on such a huge property were there burial grounds somewhere? how was that done so many, many years ago? I love your ideas and I would love to volunteer. I am totally captivated each time I watch a series. I know things are working for you-as you have such magical manifesting ideas and a really loving heart.

New to your channel and so happy for you!!! I can only imagine how devastating this has been for you. Then, the overflowing love and support that has grown around you to lift your spirit and dreams for La Lande! Bless your heart! Wish I could come help get all of the invasive plants off your property. Especially the ivy, sucking the life from your trees. I'm sure you will have all the help you need as things move forward. Keep being brave, lady! I realize that a lot of life has happened since this video and I'm a bit late to the game. Much love. You've got this!

Stephanie, your story is incredibly compelling. Without realizing it you have created a highly marketable brand for yourself and the chateau. You are sophisticated, well spoken, and knowledgeable on so many subjects. At the same time, your warmth and charisma are front and center in every episode. Truly, the world is your oyster. I see great success ahead for you, financial and otherwise. Well done, you! Please think about writing a book about your chateau experiences. I would be first in line to buy it (on Amazon?). I'm certain it would be a best seller!

I am so happy for you and LaLande that Patreon is doing well ! I hate that they used a scare tactic on you! Shame on them! Your forest is wonderful, my kind of place to take a vacation and hopefully very soon your lake will be back! I have full confidence you will succeed! xxx

What a glorious place you live in; you must feel truly blessed to be the one with your team of trusty friends to be able to restore this back to how it should be. Magnificent well done Stephanie xx

Lovley woods, streams, wetland, rocks, moss and lots of fairy things❣️

I enjoyed our stroll around the lake, this week, and I am convinced that you will manage to put right this terrible wrong - the Lake at Lalande will flourish once again. I am also thrilled that the patreon page is doing so well... it is wonderful to feel a part of the movement to restore the chateau.

It’s 3.26am and I have 2 children waking up in 2.5 hours and I can’t stop watching. What a marvellous escapism in this horrible world. You are wonderful! Love Kerri in North Lincolnshire x

This was the best one yet, full of beauty and inspiration. It will be done, for it is meant to be.

It is not often I would listen to someone talking through a programme but you stephanie are very passionate an determined and that is what comes through apart from your wonderful sense of humour x

I find it heartbreaking to think that they felt it right to bully you like that. How could anybody be so evil. Hopefully the new lake will be a triumph in adversity. Believe in you Stephanie!

I am a bit of an ostrich myself. I need to change my ways and deal with things properly that are bothering me. Don't worry, Stephanie. We all make mistakes and there is a way out. I hope you can sue them.

So so so beautiful. Do'nt give up, it will beyond magical when restored. You are such a very special person. Love and all blessings from South Africa.xxx

Oh Stephanie 💔 I truly pray that the Lake is filled and flourishing in its former state once again. May you have favour and speedy assistance in this endeavor. Looking forward to seeing that vlog. Beautiful blessings Mandy 👑SA

Yep she means business she has her beret on.

Always look forward to your videos! Thank you!!!❤️👍😘💋

Rewatching this episode again 💙💜💛

Love the walk around the lake! I was wondering if there was an old mill on your property that could be used to produce electricity. I grew up on a farm with hydroelectric power. My father had 3 water turbines (use depending on water volume) to heat the house and provide all the hot water. It was something that he was very passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about. So much so that he started a waterwheel and turbine users association with members all over Ireland. I'm sure that there would be some sort of EU grant for renewable energy that you could apply for. However getting your beautiful lake back to it's former glory is of greater priority and I have no doubt that you will achieve this!! Keep fighting and don't let the b*****ds get you down!!

Hello from Australia, all my family have been to France and love it. I'm 70 now I have dreamed of going there. But alas! Thankyou for your documentary. I wish you put episode 1, 2 etc I wanted to start from the beginning. But that's ok! Thankyou for the beautiful walk through your enchanted woods. I write and paint ( not professionally) so my imagination went wild. Thankyou my dear sweet lady. Love Juliana.

With the lake back your woods will become thick and strong again. As well your wildlife will thrive.

This has got to be one of my favorite videos of the Chateau. I adored seeing your fairy woodland and enchanted by the meandering streams that wind across your land. As a gardener I would love it if you would share a video of your bluebell wood if you get them back this year. And I pray that you will succeed in your quest to have the lake restored as it will be the crowning glory to your landscape.

I will definately come and stay one day . I'm a landscape painter. I would just looove to paint there. The stream and woods. Omg. What inspiration!!

Without optimism, we can't achieve anything in life. You're awesome

I am watching this a year later than I originally did. It is amazing and very gratifying to see the tremendous progress you have made on the Chateau in that year.

Congratulation and God speed on all of your projects. You are doing such a great job.

Amazing news! Congratulations! I really hope you get the lake back soon 😃 And maybe you should see a lawyer about that water dept....

Your positive attitude is so inspiring! Your woods are glorious! You are not alone anymore dear Stephanie, I am sure your lake will be restored xx

That was the most beautiful vlog and you will get enough money to bring the lake back to life xxx

I wish you the very best of luck in your grand fight against bureaucracy!! You are very lucky to speak fluent French, I would also get your amazing mother involved, take her with you to your appointments and to see the mayor. She has the feistiness to take them on!! I guess you would be unable to use the site of the mill and all the old watercourses to have a small hydro electric power source to power your wonderful chateau!!! I follow you vlogs as I adore old houses that need love and attention. We are almost at the end of our restoration, a small farm in the Veneto area of Italy. Along the lagoon from Venice. Bought by us when we fell in love with a direct farm building with very little roof left. Sadly most of its land was sold by the family, but the fields surround it still. I look forward to the day I move there long term. Fight the good fight you will succeed! There is an appeal process for everything, you never know they may chip in to reinstate the rest of your old moats....

I felt so much peace watching this video and I'm so proud to be one of your supporters.

Oh my word this will be glorious again!

This was SO interesting. Thank you.

I’m so glad you have found the strength and the ability to begin to regain the Chateau’s lake. Just on a different note I do marvel at how quickly the lake can be drained and flooded - small but stunning example engineering ingenuity that works with nature. Also how quickly nature as reclaimed the lake bed to create a new ecosystem to replace the former lake ecosystem. The Chateau is full of wonder both natural and man made.

Take a closer look at the stone walls. Maybe you will find a treasure hidden from the past. Many history stories tell of them being a good spot to hide things. Beautiful as always. 💟☮️

You might also want to do a sky veiw with a drone for court proceedings to get a birdseye veiw of the beautiful property

Stephanie, I can’t wait for the day you get to fill the lake! It will happen! Thank you for all those wonderful vlogs! They bring me joy! 🥰🏰🦚🦚🦔🐓🐑💙

Be brave! You’ll get the lake back and it will be glorious

Your chateaux is so lovely and I’m sure it will be even more perfect once your lake is restored. I’m so sorry you were tricked into draining it and hope it is full once again. Thank you again for such wonderful entertainment and information!

So proud of you, persevere and I have faith you will find yourself spending hours in your lovely lake😘

Bless you Stephanie and the mission you face for justice and to restore your lake 🧡💛❤️♥️💜💙

Oh I’ve been waiting yo find out more about this mystery xx

Bon courage. If anyone can reinstate the lake it is you, Stephanie.

Please start a lake fund so that we can donate into that. You need a chapel fund, a lake fund, and a chateau restoration fund as well as your patronages. Please consider doing this. I am sure there are many people who would donate one time and who cannot do the patronage. I hope you will consider this. Love and hugs and keep up the good work!

Stephanie I know you will succeed in getting the lake back again to its former self. If you need a signed petition then I am sure your can count us as your supporters to help through this horrible bungle. One cannot imagine what you have gone through. Shame on those that did this to you. But upwards and onwards Stephanie and your determination will see you through. Take care and all the best till next time.

Wow, what a party you will have when the lake comes back! 💙

That's absolutely disgusting what they did and now know one is accountable. The lake and the water that it has is so important for nature. I do hope you can get it back. 🙏🦋

Watching that video is so soothing! Just hearing the sound of the leaves crackling and the water makes you feel like you're there! Magical!

Well done Stephanie courage avec la bureaucracies Française

Once I have my money saved up for a downpayment to buy a house I am going to become a Patreon. I feel the wonderful work you are doing to preserve history is so important.

Good luck sweet Lady ❣️

It is clear you wish to preserve not only die Chateau of LaLande, but also everything that forms part of this land, its history, its beauty and its culture. And you are doing it so well. You are very much committed to this beautiful place you call home. The woods are magical and everything you showed us brings this place back alive in our minds! Thank you for sharing. And we agree you must take up the good fight and bring LaLande's lake back to its former glory again! It is the right thing to do!!

We truly love the Chateau Diaries! Merci beaucoup!

So sad! I hope you can restore this lake one day!

I wish I could physically walk with you through your beautiful land experiencing the sights and smells and hear you talk about all the interesting information and stories you have to share. Thank you for sharing your heart and life that is so encouraging as well as interesting.

Love your attitude. Best wishes.

The lake was lovely but a wetland is good for wildlife and can also be really beautiful. You can kinda treat it like a garden and plant native flowering plants and trees that like boggy soil. You could build boardwalks through it that lead to historic structures like the one you showed. I don't know, it could be a interesting project that would really make a difference. Maybe you could find a conservancy group that will let beavers out in the area to naturally change the area. I'm sure it will be lovely either way. Good luck!

God bless your bravery!

I like and share your optimism spirit - if no optimism all is lost.

Watching this and knowing where you are now with such progress puts a big smile on this face🤗

I'm so in love with your chateau & your channel!! 🙌

I like the boathouse idea!

Can't wait to see the lake restored! I would suggest stocking it with fish again of several varieties so that you can grant yearly fishing licenses for a fee to help pay for its restoration & future projects. Perhaps have a yearly fishing tournament like we do here in the states. Such tournaments are good business for the community & would benefit the Chateau, as well. You mentioned a flourish of bluebells in one of the woods around the Chateau. Might I also suggest obtaining bulk amounts of other flowering bulbs & rhizomes and planting them in patches along some new trails around the lake now so that by the time the lake is restored, you'll have some beautifully-flowering walking/riding paths all around the lake for people to enjoy. Restoration of the lake could allow you to install water turbines & generators at the spillway, the old mill & the spillway. The generators could produce enough energy to supply all the electrical needs for the Chateau. You can use some of the old stones to build housing for the generators. Imagine the savings on the monthly electrical bill...or, perhaps you might wind up selling electricity back to the government! Tell your mom I am very jealous of all the rose cuttings Michael gave her. I'm hoping to do a rose garden for my mother, but I will have to start off very small. I'm in the process of trying to propagate old Texas fig cuttings & resurrecting an original Texas Kieffer pear variety from the remaining trees of the original 100+ year old orchard that was part of our small 15 acre farm.

I love it Stephanie! You always show us the glorious and the very realities of this dreamy chateau. It takes lots of love - passion and money to make this worthy dream come true. Keep going Stephanie!!! Keep going you Beautiful Chatelaine, Lark of the Castle 🏰

That's so upsetting. I hope you get your lake back!

That is so weird that they wanted you to drain the lake! Over here in the states, we have a lot of older homes out in the country. When the water department's came in & told everyone that they had to have city water, a lot of those folks were 'grandfathered' in because they already had deep wells. Same thing w/animals, if you have goats, sheep or horses/chickens, then the person that buys your property, if these animals are left or the new owner's get animals before you take yours w/you, this right is 'grandfathered' in. Since the chateau had a lake for hundreds of years, I'm astonished the city or county government's didn't allow you to be 'grandfathered' in as well. It makes you scratch your head & 'things that make you go hmmmm...'.....lol (I do understand their laws there, but that is for people who want to make a pond or lake in these times. Does not pertain to something that is already there. Just weird to me. Thank you so much for the video! I actually watched 'doing it ourselves' first & then came upon your channel. I live in Tennessee, united states. Have an interest in chateau's as my godmother/godfather were French from maine. I also read a story as a child about chateau's & they said that most chateaus have a secret room in them somewhere, don't know if that is true, but it is magical. Your right, it is beautiful there!

Beautiful Lalande x

That's very true we must have hope and fight for what is yours!! And don't give up!

This is the vlog I've been waiting to see! I have a question - Does Michael Pethrick have his own channel on RU-vid? My favourite vlogs (incase you want to know what your viewers like) are: * Anything with Michael Pethrick * Updates on Mini Michael and Mini Stephanie * Behind the scenes * The servants quarters * Workawayers * Airbnb * Reality of cost of running the Chateau * Mummy trying not to be cross on camera! * All your trips and buys at your amazing priced charity shops. * Tour of the Chateau rooms and grounds I have started using Workaway for my Olive Farm in Cyprus, where I do Airbnb (completely the other end of the spectrum to you, as we are a rural, Off Grid, rustic farm house for those looking to see the traditional Cyprus. We too have old demolished farm buildings which we have videos about on my channel, which we are renovating from nothing. Unfortunately, RU-vid does not monertize videos in Cyprus (even though we are in the E.U/ part of Europe!), so unlike you, we are not able to put ads on our videos, nor set up Patreon or get paid for videos nor sponsorship. We did set up a GoGetFunding site and posted videos about this, but no luck with that so far. You were so lucky to have the opportunity of the t.v shows to help people become aware of you (and stay watching you for your great personality). Unfortunately due to poor health I can no longer travel, but be assured I would have loved to have come to stay with you if I could. I like to share my daily life living in Cyprus via RU-vid, and love to watch others relocating to new countries and setting up, renovating and beginning new lives abroad, as I have done. All the very best to you in the future. Sending you sunny smiles from Cyprus. Dawn and Mike.

It shows how some authorities are corrupt, see what a lawyer says re compansation. Im off work today, so this was a delight to watch 💛

Thank you for the beautiful walk and sharing your story about the lake.

I do believe this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen... I'm really so very happy that you are now able to get your lake back and leave this frustrating time behind you. In the end just as in all Fairy Tales you have a Happily Everafter for your lovely lake. I'm sorry you had to go through all of this but just think of all the wonderful new friends and supporters you have now and something tells me the lake and all of the Lovely Land of Lalonde will turn out even more MAGICAL than ever !! 💛🧡💛🧡

I am so glad you have enough support, now, to be able to begin imagining that you will reclaim LaLande’s lake! You deserve all of this, and I am certain you will succeed. You are so wonderful to LaLande, and I feel that she loves you and is very grateful. This all is a joy to observe.

Wow this makes me so mad!!! What the hell!!! They should pay to reinstate it. The damage to wildlife 😔

I adore you. You are so authentic. There is an innocence and a bravery about you.