“I Live in a Castle and Don’t Pay a Cent for It” — How Édouard Turned His Childhood Dream Into Reality
Édouard was born in Sologne, a lush and forested corner of France in the Loire Valley, where castle towers and aristocratic estates seem to appear at every bend in the road. “I grew up in La Ferté-Saint-Aubin, between two castles — Papinière and Montesault. Ever since I was a child, I was captivated by these grand properties. I’d often hop on my bike just to catch a glimpse of them through the gates,” he recalls with a smile.
His fascination with castles followed him into adolescence. During summer breaks from college, he worked part-time at historic estates — sometimes as a gardener, other times as a guide or a waiter during events. Though life eventually led him into a career in sales, the dream never faded.
“I always dreamed of buying a castle… But that was far out of reach. So I thought — if I can’t own one, I’ll live and work in one instead,” he says.
And so he became the caretaker and estate manager of a private château owned by an elderly gentleman — humble but wealthy, having made his fortune in the textile industry. Since 2018, Édouard has worked here full time, overseeing maintenance of the buildings and managing a small team — a gardener, a housekeeper, and a technician. When the owner is away — often spending time at his riad in Marrakech — the castle is fully Édouard’s to look after.
“In summer, we host artistic events — exhibitions, guided garden tours, and more. I’m responsible for planning everything, down to the finest details,” he explains.
Édouard didn’t have an impressive degree or résumé when he got the job. “At our first meeting, I brought my CV — he didn’t even look at it. What mattered to him was my personality, resourcefulness, and common sense. The next day, he called me and asked for my opinion on quotes for repairing some windows,” Édouard laughs. That was seven years ago.
Today, he earns around €1,600 net per month and lives rent-free in a cozy apartment converted from the estate’s old stables. His window overlooks the château’s vast park, where deer sometimes wander between the trees. “Each morning, I open 50 windows in the main building. And every time, I feel like I’m airing out my own home. Everything here feels like mine. I wouldn’t leave this place for anything in the world,” he says.
By the way, there are currently 21 castles for sale in the Loir-et-Cher department, with prices ranging from €850,000 to €5 million.