Follow along as we renovate a 200 year old townhouse in the French South West.
Hi there, we're Romy & Hugo. In 2023, we bought an abandoned 19th-century townhouse in Bordeaux, France, and decided to document our journey as we bring this beautiful property back to life. Through Restoring La Chartreuse, we're sharing everything about our restoration process—the highs, the lows, and all the learning curves in between
An honest look at what happens when renovation reality hits hard — from battling twisted roof beams and surprise deliveries in the rain to finding joy in small wins like custom shelves and homemade marmalade at La Chartreuse.
We finally tackle the job we have been dreading for two years: stripping out decades of old insulation from our French chartreuse attic, discovering a mould scare along the way, and preparing for the next phase with wood fibre insulation.
A rare Bordeaux snowfall exposed just how cold our 19th-century chartreuse really was. Here is how we finally insulated the cellar with wood fibre, why breathable materials matter in old buildings, and the handmade cushion covers that made the living room feel like home.
Experience the restoration process through our detailed video documentation on YouTube
Published on March 29, 2026
