In the broadcast of Sunday, January 1, 2023 we follow the adventure of the seven-member Jansen family. In Burgundy, in the hamlet of Marcigny, they bought an ancient castle to transform into chambre d’hotes and gites. It didn’t go without a hitch, but how are Ray, Margriet and their daughters doing now?
Jansen family update – Marcigny
Winter has made its appearance here too and now it’s cold, even at home. We heat up with the pellet stove in the kitchen and we use the rest of the house less, because it’s not heated yet. However, we did a lot of work in the unheated rooms. The bathroom of the second chambre d’hote room is now ready for our new guests. The TV episode made us realize how much work we’ve done in the last year and that we really should take a break now that the temperature has dropped so much.
We have been working on our project non-stop, 7 days a week since August 2021; and someone else is in the starting blocks. We started by demolishing the first floor of the attached gîte. It was in such a questionable state that we replaced it before we started construction. We hope to finish the gîte (holiday home) before the summer, but if it works out…
be a guest and feel at home
Now finally begins the first part of our project with two rentable rooms, both with their own bathroom and one of which can be expanded into a family room. We have always missed him on our travels. We are not easy to host with seven people. Our credo is “be a guest and feel at home” and fortunately our visitors feel that way too. It makes us happy to receive people. This is of course also the purpose of a chambre d’hôtes, because you are staying in someone’s home and not in a hotel.
A touch of luxury
Yet we try to offer our guests a touch of that hotel luxury, the best of both worlds. In Marcigny you can truly experience a Burgundian life; there are cozy squares, markets, nature and active opportunities. The beauty of our location is that we live freely, but also close to the center, ideal for guests who like to have a drink or want to leave the house without a car. Much is within walking distance.
Camping
Our recently purchased land will be the new entrance for those who want to stay with us with their camper. As soon as the permits are received this summer, motorhomers will be able to access the motorhome area via a long lane without having to make any strange curves. In the future, the accommodation will also be easily accessible from this entrance. Until permits are obtained, we will keep our jobs so we can continue working on plans for 2023.
The completion of the ‘Ik Vertrek’ registrations was also the closing point for all contractors hired for the year 2022. New electricity installed, plasterer ready, broken windows replaced, water pipe water has been installed. For now, peace has been restored.
You live in France
The end of the year is often a time to take stock. Looking back on the past year, we have invested on many fronts; the castle, each other, the rooms, the people around us, new friends and colleagues, French systems (sometimes a good job); given everything. But what you give often comes back to you and that is certainly true. We have met so many nice people and so many that we can call our friends, we are close to the locals and we feel accepted and at home.
The children settled down at the school and made friends. Christmas reports show good results. Next year we want to make sure all the girls have their own bedroom. Over the next few years we hope to have the motorhome pitches, lodges, gites and guest rooms fully operational and be a household name in the region. Grateful to be able to work on this and invest in our future, our children and the world around us.
Despite the fact that life here goes at a slower pace, you live and experience it more intensely. This is the beauty of France, now we understand ‘Vivre en France’! We are living our dream.
See you soon and best wishes,
Giansen family
