We bought a crumbling house in rural France for £30,000 and transformed it into a stunning BnB
A FAMILY living in France has revealed how they transformed a crumbling house into a five-star bed and breakfast.
Lucy Bayet and her husband Oliver Walker purchased a 16th-century stone cottage just outside of Turenne in the Dordogne Valley, France.
The couple purchased the crumbling cottage, which had been uninhabited for 120 years, in 2019 for just €35,000 (£30,000).
When they purchased the property, the couple were looking for somewhere to plant some roots.
Lucy told Sun Online Travel: “We signed for the house in 2019. We were ready to settle and find somewhere to put down some roots.”
Before purchasing the stone cottage, Lucy worked as a model for brands like Next and M&S, while Oliver was a DJ in Ibiza.
The duo then began running retreats together and became accredited Deep Tissue Massage therapists and qualified Yoga teachers.
After running retreats in Ibiza, Lucy and Oliver tied the knot in the French countryside and had two children together.
While they were building their family, the pair were also working hard to transform their cottage in Turenne into a home.
Lucy added: “When we found the house, there were cows living inside the building.”
Despite the farm animals squatting in the ancient ruin, Lucy and Oliver fell in love with its romantic charm, including the scraps of leather that were left behind by the town’s former cobbler.
Lucy said: “We had to put some roots down somewhere, and we had the opportunity to by something that was affordable. At the time that was all we could afford.”
Even though the couple purchased the house for next-to-nothing, they pumped between €150,000 (£128,000) and €200,000 (£170,000) into the building’s transformation.
They employed French builders and tradesman to help carry out their vision.
While there were a few renovation challenges along the road, Lucy and Oliver took them in their stride.
Inside the French cottage, which has been named the House of the Fig Trees (Maison Des Figuiers), Lucy has some favourite features, including a huge fireplace and a yoga deck.
Other amenities in the two-bedroom property include a kitchen with large windows, an al fresco dining area with hilltop views, a space for BBQs and high-speed fibre optic internet.
Hosts Lucy and Oliver can also provide guests with other services, including a yoga class, a massage, wood for the fire and baby accessories.
Located in the Valley of Turenne, nearby attractions include nature parks, caves and water sports.
Brive La Gaillarde Airport is the closest airport to the countryside escape, with direct flights operating from Paris.
Meanwhile, Toulouse Airport is a two-hour drive from Turenne, with airlines like Ryanair and easyJet operating direct flights from the UK, with fares starting from £15 for a one-way ticket.
The holiday home has been praised by holidaymakers on Airbnb.
One person wrote: “We had a wonderful stay at Oliver’s and Lucy’s beautiful, historical, lovingly restored stone cottage. It was peaceful, charming, comfortable and a great base for exploring the region.”
While another added: “This place is pure heaven. Lucy and Oliver are wonderful hosts.
“They gave us plenty of recommendations for things to do and places to eat. We did almost everything they recommended and we loved every single thing.”
Sun Online Travel have found a three-night stay at the the House of the Fig Trees for £377 for two people in April.
Despite the ongoing praise from visitors, Lucy and Oliver are ready for their next challenge.
Lucy said: “It’s come to the point where we have completed the project and our ready for our next challenge.”
The duo are looking to sell their heritage-listed property for €396,000 (£339,490).
But until they’ve found a buyer, they’re still encouraging holidaymakers to book overnight stays via Airbnb, here.
A boutique retreat in Spain
Lucy and Oliver aren't the only people who've opened a holiday home in Europe.
Sarah and Johnny Robinson left the UK 20 years ago, and have been living in Spain since May 2003.
The couple moved from London to the Jalón Valley in Alicante with their three children who were six, three and one at the time.
After they purchased their new home in the Spanish countryside, they converted it into a hotel called Caserío del Mirador.
For the last two decades, Sarah and Johnny have been welcoming young British families to their Boutique retreat in the Spanish hills.
Previously, the couple revealed the big mistakes that make Brits stand out on holiday in Spain.
Meanwhile, there’s a town in the UK that looks so much like the south of France that visitors call it “Little Provence“.
Here’s the tiny French town which people say is just like a stunning British city.