– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

this video takes us on a journey where a

crumbling Castle becomes a stunning

fourstar Hotel two friends with no prior

construction experience purchased a

castle that had been abandoned for over

30 years taking on the Monumental task

of renovating it they had no idea of the

challenges they were about to face the

place a complete wreck barely standing

but to them it was the chance of a

lifetime 5 years of work no formal

training harsh weather and a global

pandemic these are only some of the

hurdles they will

encounter can they pull off the

impossible let's dive in and find

out Ted Castle sits quietly in the

Rolling Hills of corz in the south

central region of France it's an old

Place full of history and has stood the

test of

time this C Castle has a fascinating

past during World War I it was used as a

hospital caring for the wounded and

later in World War II it became a

college where students kept learning

even in the toughest of

times but now the castle isn't what it

used to be large parts of it have fallen

apart and it's been abandoned for

years Francis and benois two old friends

who grew up together found out the

castle in south central France was up

for sale for just

$170,000 at first they thought it might

make a great private home even with all

the wear and tear but once they saw the

place up close they realized the project

was going to be bigger than they'd

imagined that's when the idea hit

them turn it into a fourstar hotel so

they could Finance the extensive

renovation

the decision was Final the two friends

took on personal debts to secure the

purchase and once they were all in a

thrilling Journey

began to kick things off they called in

local Artisans and companies for

estimates the initial budget came in at

around $2

million however as we'll see later the

final bill would be much much

higher the two friends are beginning the

demolition phase on their

own benois comes from a business

background and Francis has worked in

water management but neither of them has

any experience in

construction this only makes the

challenge even greater and much

riskier still they manag to handle some

of the Interior work surprisingly

well but it doesn't take long before

they realize they need to call in

Professionals for the more complex

tasks the pros arrive with heavy

machinery ready to speed things up and

get the job

done the demolition team now faces their

biggest challenge yet taking down the

old chapel which is in a dangerously

poor

State the task is carried out using the

excavator requiring precise movements to

carefully remove the stones and beams

all while ensuring the structure doesn't

collapse onto the

machine the consequences of a bad

execution can be

fatal at one point it comes dangerously

close but after a tense operation the

job is finally

complete the initial purchase of the

castle funded through personal debt

reflects their full commitment to the

project however as renovation costs

piled up they needed a creative way to

raise funds so they opened the venture

to public

investment thanks to the online

popularity of the initiative they

received contributions from from 500

people across more than 20 countries

turning Spectators into

co-owners work also begins on the roof

they carefully remove the tiles to

inspect the condition of the carpentry

[Music]

underneath to finish off the first phase

by removing the roof tiles they even

have to tackle one of the chimneys which

is leaking all over the

place once the damaged parts are out the

carpentry must be

repaired after so many years of neglect

the existing beams are extensively

deteriorated some parts of the wood have

even rotted causing instability problems

Bonnet a company specializing in Roofing

is taking care of strengthening the roof

framework the facade s covering more

than 1,000 square m were in desperate

need of a full

restoration years of harsh weather have

taken their toll on the castle Stones

leaving the joints which serve to bind

the structure and protect its interior

in a state of severe

deterioration this wear and tear allowed

moisture to seep in making it necessary

to use a jackhammer to expose the

underlying Stone ensuring the new mortar

will adhere properly and providing

stronger protection for the facade in

the years to

come but this state is also due to human

presence the castle which served as a

refuge and fortress on the plateau

surrounding the city until the 19th

century eventually fell into disrepair

and became somewhat of a squat with a

multitude of furniture scattered in

different apartments the guys not only

have to straighten the exist in beams

they must also reinforce parts of the

woodwork that are

unusable some are rotten and some are

broken so the best will be to replace

them all this involves creating a new

Timber structure to ensure that the roof

is stable and secure before reshingling

with the exterior work well underway the

focus now shifts inside the castle walls

we are now stepping into the main

building building where they're

beginning to map out the layout for the

future

hotel in the main building guests will

find the hotel's entrance and main hall

adjacent to it is the seminar space

designed for special events on the upper

floors there will be guest rooms

spanning the entire level and in the

main tower the Crown Jewel of the

property two spectacular and luxurious

suits connecting the two tow hours will

be a wing that houses a bar area which

transitions into the newly built

restaurant located exactly where the old

chapel once

stood as the demolition pushes forward

the scale of the work becomes clear one

of the biggest obstacles a massive

Boulder buried in the main building is

carefully removed using a strap attached

to an excavator making way for more

progress inside

with the debris piling up you can

finally start to see the space opening

up piece by

piece using a hydraulic breaker attached

to an excavator they begin breaking

through the tough floor to prepare the

space for the next stage of

construction with a decent amount of

interior demolition still ahead Francis

and benoa start thinking about the next

crucial step Masonry

[Music]

to bring their vision of the hotel

layout to life they know it will require

extensive brick work and structural

rebuilding for this they put their trust

in the experts from Freemasonry Rya the

Masons arrive just in time for a

critical moment after demolishing the

old chapel the wall between the two

towers became unstable with significant

structural Integrity issues threatening

the entire

Chateau their focus is on rebuilding

this vital

[Music]

wall using concrete and a transversal

beam they reinforce the structure and

eliminate the need for intermediate

ground posts however they are only

rebuilding the upper portion of the wall

leaving the lower section open for a

future connection to a new

building the

restaurant with the Demolition

and crucial structural reinforcements

complete we return to ground level in

the building that will soon host the

seminar

space benois is now behind the controls

of a mini excavator working to remove

one of the last

Boulders after a couple of attempts he

finally

succeeds you can tell he's still

learning but his construction skills are

improving rap rapidly with every

[Music]

pass concrete is carefully poured into

the foundation to form a solid column

this will be the main support for the

upper

floors a truck loaded with gravel

arrives the gravel is spread across the

ground to form the base before the

concrete slab is poured this layer is

crucial once the the gravel is leveled

it's time for the installation of

[Music]

pipes next a layer of plastic sheeting

is placed to act as a moisture barrier

followed by a wire mesh for

reinforcement ultimately they pour the

concrete and carefully spread it across

the entire

surface proper distribution of the

concrete is crucial to prevent cracks in

the future this slab covering 50 s m on

the west side of the building marks a

significant milestone in the renovation

process winter has finally arrived

blanketing the Chateau with a layer of

snow that transforms it into a

breathtaking postcard

[Music]

scene but beneath this beauty lies A new

challenge the snowfall complicates the

work for the two friends and their team

as the cold settles in they face the

intricate task of filling the gaps

between the ancient

Stones they use a time- tested mixture

hot lime mortar made by heating lime

until it turns into a powder then

blending it with water cement and

sand this centuries old technique is

essential for historic structures

allowing the stone walls to breathe and

preventing the buildup of damaging

moisture

in the workshop Francis and benois are

crafting the rebar that will form the

backbone of the main

beam this beam isn't just another part

of the

structure it's the critical support that

will hold up the first floor directly

above what will become the Seminary

space support posts and formwork beams

are installed to Bear the immense weight

of the first floor slab while the

concrete is still

fresh the slab itself spans 120 sare M

and weighs over 60

tons with that kind of weight it

obviously demanded extensive

preparation this first floor will house

seven guest rooms each offering

picturesque views of the surrounding

Park

[Music]

the concrete slab is poured in half a

day but the preparation for it took

several days and it was very timec

consuming the team carefully repeats

each step lifting the structure one

floor higher as the second floor will

follow the same layout as the

first concrete typically sets enough to

be carefully walked on after 48 hours

but but it remains far too weak to

remove the form work or supports at this

stage they waited 3 weeks before

removing the props and formwork ensuring

the structure had the strength to stand

on its

own removing form work especially from

overhead or vertical sections requires

caution panels and supports can be heavy

and awkward to handle increasing the

risk of accidents

especially in older structures where the

environment might be less

predictable once the formwork is off the

exposed concrete is carefully inspected

for any cracks uneven surfaces or

[Music]

imperfections the first batch of Windows

was delivered by defix a small family

business in the

region Francis and benois are committ to

making the renovation as sustainable as

possible these windows for example are

made out of wood sourced from a local

Sawmill located just 15 km from where

the wood is

cut with each unit weighing around 75 Kg

a lot of Manpower is needed to get them

installed Now we move to the exterior of

the main tower

during the demolition phase they were

surprised to find the tower in excellent

condition with strong walls and an

almost perfect state of

preservation the roof however needs some

reshingling so they hired an expert

roofing company to take on the challenge

but they soon received unexpected

news the company that was supposed to do

the work went bankrupt and Francis and

Ben w are left completely stranded they

have to make a tough decision either do

the work themselves or start the process

of finding another company all over

again they decide to take on the task

themselves with the help of their

friends Danielle and Fabian who have

experience with

Roofing the task Begins by removing the

old tiles from the iCal roof they pry

each tile loose and toss them from the

top of the

tower vertical wooden beams are placed

first evenly spaced to match the natural

curve of the

roof next they install horizontal

battens carefully nailing them across

the vertical supports

the wooden framework now takes shape a

complex grid that will hold the Slate

tiles

[Music]

securely each tile is meticulously cut

to fit using slate shears a tool

designed for precision this ensures a

snug placement that follows the roof's

curve perfectly

[Music]

after all the result is a structure

built to endure while preserving the

historic character of the

castle 3 years have gone by and the

castle has transformed

dramatically what was once a crumbling

ruin is now beginning to show its true

potential walls have been restored new

structures have materialized and the

vision is gradually coming to life

but now the tension

begins restoring the Spire of the second

tower is a make or break

moment the project faces a critical

Choice should they take on the dangerous

task of renovating it in place high

above the ground or bring it down to

ground

level they choose the

latter a crane is brought in to carry

out the job and the operation Begins the

original materials are in such bad

condition that the Spire can crumble at

any moment before lifting the Spire The

Operators secure the straps and

reinforce the structure by removing the

zinc pieces and adding wooden

supports every movement has to be

precise if they are to bring it down

safely the moment has

arrived the crane operator slowly begins

lifting the Spire from its base while

two workers stand by guiding and

communicating every movement with

pinpoint

Precision this is the most delicate

stage of the process if the Spire slips

or tilts too far it would be lost

forever and an Irreplaceable piece of

History would be reduced to

Rubble on site the tension is

undeniable each adjust of the rivets and

every slight sway is testing their

nerves to the

Limit but finally after what felt like

an eternity the Spire begins to lower

inch by inch until it touches the

ground they have done it one of the most

challenging moments of the entire

renovation has ended in

success with the Spire now on the ground

the crane moves off the site

however it won't be long before they

need it back to raise the Spire again

after the

restoration they are following the same

steps they used to restore the conic

roof of the main tower but this time

they work with much more ease without

the struggle and risk that came with

dangling from Great

Heights they even managed to recover and

restore the final a decorative element

that also serves as a lightning

rod despite the progress made on the

exterior of the castle the interior

still has a long way to

go currently we find ourselves in the

building that will eventually become the

main hall the project faced an

unexpected challenge when the covid-19

pandemic hit making it difficult to

secure funding especially for ventures

in the hospitality and restoration

sectors

it also caused significant delays due to

disruptions in the supply

chain originally the hotel was scheduled

to open in 2021 but these difficulties

forced them to postpone the

launch however these setbacks came with

an unexpected Advantage they allowed our

two protagonists to take on more tasks

themselves this not not only helped

reduce costs but also allowed them to

maintain greater control over the

project as a

[Music]

whole the Spire has been fully restored

and the crane returns to complete the

second part of the mission lifting the

Spire back into its original

position just like when it was lowered

this task requires surgical precision as

the risks remain the

same if it were to fall all the time and

money invested in its restoration would

be lost in an

instant weighing 2.5 tons the Spire

begins its ascent and once again the

tension is

palpable they need to be extra cautious

ensuring that the straps and Chains

Don't damage the fragile zinc tiles that

have just has been

installed the mission is truly a team

effort with members positioned in

strategic spots to monitor the

maneuver with surgical Precision the

crane operator prudently lifts the Spire

above the

tower The Descent is being Guided by

those on the scaffolding who have the

perfect vantage point to ensure every

inch is aligned with clear communication

they make sure the Spire descends

smoothly without any

errors eventually the Spire settled into

its exact

position the operation was a complete

success it was an incredibly complex

task but everything unfolded exactly as

planned with the final tiles being

scrupulously put into place the

restoration of the entire castle roof is

now complete

[Music]

it's nothing short of a remarkable

accomplishment especially when you

consider the state of the roof when the

castle was first

purchased in the main hall 20 cm of

concrete are poured to complete the

first floor

slab before raising the second floor

they took the time to inspect the wooden

beams hoping they could be reused but

found them completely rotten

leaving no choice but to cut them out

and throw them

away simultaneously the Elevator Shaft

construction moves ahead steadily coming

together on the first floor as the day

of opening draws nearer work inside the

castle

intensifies with every detail now

becoming

defined with all the rotten beams

removed the preparation of the new main

beam starts which will bear the weight

of the top

floor with this final slab in place the

seminar and main hall building now have

all its floors connected and

completed to celebrate the team tossed a

coin backward into the fresh concrete

for good luck followed by a

well-deserved

dinner with the Castle's interior

shaping up it's easy to forget what lies

Beyond these stone

walls but step outside and a new

challenge

awaits ahead they have the most

ambitious solo masonry project they have

taken on so

far here they'll rebuild a 40 m long

stone wall a structure that will restore

the Park's historical

character following techniques passed

down through generations they use string

lines and measuring tools to ensure

Precision aligning each stone with hair

to recreate the slightly inclined design

that Echoes the original

layout but the restoration of the park

will not end here later the two friends

have a plan for this outdoor space a

traditional French

garden French Gardens are all about

neatness and balance they use straight

Pathways carefully trimmed Hedges and

flowers arranged in perfect patterns

this style became popular in the 17th

century and was often a symbol of wealth

and power the goal was to show control

over nature making everything look

precise and

orderly for the castle adding a French

garden will bring a sense of classic

Beauty connecting the Park's future to

its historic past the final stone is

laid with this last piece the 40m walls

stands

complete but their work is far from over

now they concentrate on another

important piece of the park the arch

door the segmental arch used for

centuries in castles and bridges is both

beautiful and practical its curved

design is made to distribute the weight

across each Stone evenly ensuring the

structure stands the test of

time rebuilding the arch requires

precision and patience

using a wooden support frame each stone

is thoughtfully positioned to form a

perfect

curve just as it would have been

centuries

ago as the framework is removed the arch

Stands

Tall another step forward in restoring

the Castle's historic

grounds as the last bit of mortar is

applied the wall is now complete

restored and ready for the years to come

what was once broken has now been

precisely repaired piece by

piece at this point the spotlight turns

inward to a new space full of

potential this will soon be a place

where guests gather relax and share

stories a bar area that will become the

Castle's Social

Hub initially estimated at $2 million

the Project's cost has now doubled to

near nearly 4 million this increase was

due to several

challenges the Castle's

foundations walls and Roofing were in

worse condition than expected requiring

extensive repairs Rising material costs

driven by supply chain issues during the

pandemic also added to

expenses meanwhile the second floor

above the bar area is being prepared

which will host the hotel's guest room

rooms once this is complete All That

Remains are the Suites in the main tower

where we head

next before they can pour the concrete

slab for the first floor of the main

tower the ground floor ceiling needs to

be secured with temporary

supports the original first floor is in

bad condition and the weight of the new

slab could cause it to

buckle with with the supports installed

the workers exchange glances nervous

about whether everything will

hold they'll have to wait and see if

their work is strong enough to Bear the

weight nerves are running High Francis

ever watchful heads to the main tower to

oversee the process and to make sure

everything runs smoothly during the

concrete

poure concrete begins to flow

the supports seem to hold firm and with

the last layer poured the first floor of

the tower is

complete next is the second

floor without missing a beat they move

on to setting up the formwork to make

the second floor a

reality the main tower is where the

hotel's two most exclusive Suites will

be

located One Suite will occupy the first

floor and above it the other will be a

duplex spanning two floors and offering

around 45 square m of luxury this duplex

Suite will be the Crown Jewel of the

hotel as they work on this crucial part

of the project it's important to

remember that Towers have always been

symbols of power and

Status centuries later this Tower is

Rising once again reflecting the

chateau's enduring strength and history

we can finally start to see how this

Suite is going to play out the duplex

Suite will feature a cozy living room

upstairs accessed by the original

staircase of the tower a piece of the

Castle's history preserved in this

modern

renovation with the concrete set and the

second floor complete the next task is

to strip away the old layers covering

the

walls using automatic hammers they chip

off years of paint and plaster

uncovering the original Stone

underneath as the temperature drops they

take a well-deserved break gathering

around the fireplace to warm up it's a

brief pause before they dive back to

work things are starting to look better

but yet another challenge is waiting for

Francis and

benois they need to create proper access

to the

suite the existing access is far too

small and very impractical for modern

standards to fix this they need to knock

down a part of the tower wall to create

a new doorway it's no simple task the

door will be over 2 m high and 1.6 M

deep and the thick ancient stonework

requires careful handling to prevent the

structure from collapsing

here it is the first hole wide enough

for benois to pass

through the goal is to dismantle and

rebuild parts of the wall to ensure

stability making sure the weight is

evenly distributed as they create the

new

passage this new doorway will provide

access from The Suite to the neighboring

building which on the ground floor

houses the bar and above it two floors

of guest room

rooms it's a crucial connection linking

the suite with the rest of the

hotel but as challenging as it is

there's a special detail that makes this

project even more meaningful while

demolishing the chapel a historical

Stone was discovered in the

ruins a stone with a red cross that

dates back to the time of the Templars

possibly the 12th

[Music]

Century the Knights Templar were a

medieval Christian military order known

for their role in the Crusades and for

protecting pilgrims traveling to the

Holy Land their distinctive Red Cross

became a symbol of their power and

influence often featured in the

architecture of their fortifications and

places of

worship this discovery adds a new layer

of intrigue to the Castle's history it's

possible that the Templars had a direct

influence on the original construction

of this

Chateau from now on by incorporating

this ancient stone into the new doorway

a piece of that history is being

preserved allowing the past to live on

within the Castle's modern

transformation taking advantage of the

favorable weather attention transitions

to building the new Terrace they begin

by clearing out the outside removing

debris and preparing the area for New

Foundations the Terrace will be wide

extending across the front of the bar

and to the edge of the building creating

a spacious outdoor area for future

guests they also plan to add a small

garden along the Terrace

Edge most likely a space that will soon

become a favorite spot for guests to

relax and enjoy the shadow at's

surroundings snow blankets The Chateau

once again and progress continues

despite the

[Music]

cold a new set of Windows has arrived

this time for the ground

floor this weather brings its own set of

challenges tools freeze up the stone

becomes slick with ice and the cold

bites at the worker's hands yet the crew

presses on knowing that each completed

task brings them closer to the end

goal The Chateau is now sealed against

the cold keeping the project on

track inside the staircase is nearly

complete they are installing the last

step left salvaged from the original

Castle during demolition

the new elevator is also fully

installed as the chateau's

transformation advances it's time to

head back inside to the first floor

Suite in the main

tower here they uncover another

challenge the fireplace a once Grand

feature of the room is in bad condition

with its structure on the verge of

collapse to preserve it the two friends

carefully disassemble and restore the

original Stones aiming to rebuild the

chimney as a decorative

piece though it won't be functional it

remains an important part of the room's

character work advances steadily as

wooden beams are secured within the

gabled roof reinforcing the structure in

harmony with its original design steel

profiles start to rise form ing the

internal partitions that will Define the

space Fel plates are used made from

Gypsum and recycled paper to establish

the walls staying true to their

commitment to

sustainability on the last floor there

are multiple spaces including one with

Windows overlooking the

park the structure grows more defined as

the last panels are secured this dual

wall system while dividing spaces

represents the attention to detail

needed to create a Serene fourstar

environment back on the first floor

laser levels are used for guidance and

precision ensuring that each steel

profile is aligned

flawlessly step by step the rooms

emerge insulation follows with

biosourced cellulose injected into the

cavities

this eco-friendly material adds a vital

layer of thermal and acoustic insulation

helping to regulate temperature while

dampening noise between

rooms as the cellulose settles into

place rock wool panels are gradually

fitted within the wall framework

enhancing the sound proofing even

further ensuring that each room remains

a sanctuary of peace and

quiet as the ceiling is enclosed the

outline of the guest Suites becomes more

tangible the true shape of the chatau

begins to emerge each step through the

upper and lower floors reveals the

distinct spaces that will soon welcome

guests hallways that guide you rooms

that invite rest and shared areas that

will become the heart of this renewed

landmark

Dylan from seon visited to guide Francis

and benois through the proper Plastering

techniques right there in the

Chateau he demonstrated the essentials

maintaining the right distance mastering

smoothing techniques and ensuring that

the plaster adheres without

bubbles with each pass of the trowel

Francis and benois continue to learn

embracing the process through trial and

error

they're proving themselves to be true

all-rounders capable of handling any

challenge this renovation throws at

them at this stage with the skills honed

and confidence gained their work

reflects their clear

transformation they're ready to take on

every room as if they'd been Craftsman

all their

lives at long last the moment they've

all eagerly awaited has arrived the star

part of the restaurant's

construction until now every task has

been about restoring the past but this

marks the first time Francis and benoa

can create something from a blank canvas

giving them the freedom to shape this

vital space for the hotel's future the

crew gets to work organizing the

essential Utility Systems for the

kitchen water points gas networks and

all the connections needed to make this

area fully functional

once everything is in place they pour

the cement to form the

slab taking advantage of this stage to

also lay the foundation for the Terrace

where guests will one day enjoy

breathtaking

views but inside the Chateau there's

still a great deal of work ahead Francis

and benois take on the demanding task of

preparing the space for the electrical

and climate control

installations with determination they

drill the necessary holes set up the

ducts and pass countless meters of

cables that need to reach every corner

of the hotel it's a painstaking process

ensuring each wire is perfectly roted

and carefully hidden between ceilings

and Floors preserving the chateau's

aesthetic

charm as they work they prepare the

tubes that will connect to the

ventilation units making sure everything

is ready for the installation

ahead to conclude they position these

ventilation systems high above in the

ceilings but work here never stops

across the floors self-leveling cement

is being

applied this special mixture is designed

to flow naturally filling in any uneven

areas to create a perfectly smooth and

level surface

moving on thermal insulation panels made

of wood fiber are carefully laid across

the floor providing an essential barrier

against temperature changes floorboards

are then installed and a layer of

adhesive mortar is spread using a

notched trowel creating grooves that

will enhance the bond between the tiles

and the surface one by one the tiles are

placed forming the final design of the

floor also leveling wedges ensure the

tiles remain at the same

height in due course a grout mixture is

then applied filling the spaces between

each tile sealing the surface and adding

the concluding

detail as the attention is now on the

bathroom it's clear that this stage is

more than just

construction these final refinements are

what truly Define the space it's in

these details the choice of tiles the

precise alignment the careful

installation of fixtures that the

character of The Chateau starts to

emerge every element contributes to the

overall feel that future visitors will

experience these are the features that

will transform this Castle from a

renovation project into a welcoming

space in the end it's often the These

Fine elements that make the difference

because they're what guests will see use

and

remember the first colors start to

appear as the walls are painted soft

pastel tones like green and blue are

chosen to complement the white in the

upper rooms the choice shifts from tiles

to

parquet we watch as each bit of parquet

is carefully placed and fitted

seamlessly together adding a warm and

natural feel to these spaces this

flooring not only brings Elegance but

also offers a cozy contrast to the

[Music]

rooms a stunning transformation unfolds

as large format tiles inspired by

wallpaper are installed on the

walls with their textured surface they

add a sophisticated and luxurious

refiner

ment using suction cups and clamps the

workers carefully position each piece

ensuring a Flawless

fit the Precision required is immense

but once in place the effect is

breathtaking it's been nearly 5 years

since Francis and benois took on this

immense challenge the biggest project of

their lives through countless obstacles

crumbling walls freezing Winters the

pandemic and endless hours of Labor

they've worked tirelessly to bring this

chatau back to life at this point the

Chateau is no longer just a project but

an almost finished fourstar Hotel soon

the rooms and hallways that were once

mere ideas will welcome their first

clients and the Chateau will stand as

proof of their resilience

this journey filled with trials and

triumphs is far from over but with the

end in sight the vision of what this

Chateau will become is clearer than ever

with the interior nearing completion the

time has come to step outside and tackle

the next phase of this incredible

journey finishing the

Terrace they begin by laying the

foundation for the Terrace using a

highly engineered system provided by

jeup plat

large gray ceramic slabs will eventually

cover the surface but first they install

metal rails across the base these rails

are supported by adjustable pedestals

designed to ensure a perfectly level

surface and accommodate any unevenness

in the

ground what sets these tiles apart are

the acoustic rubber strips installed

underneath these strips reduce resonance

absorb sound and creating a quieter more

solid feel when walking across the

surface the system is also designed to

prevent frost damage a crucial feature

in the often harsh cores climate with

the Terrace nearly finished we stay

outside but this time we find ourselves

in front of the main Arch leading to

what will become the French garden here

they begin the meticulous work of

creating the Stone path from

scratch the first step is to lay down

the large foundational Stones these

Stones serve as the framework providing

both structure and stability once the

large stones are in place the spaces are

filled in with smaller deliberately

selected

Pebbles these smaller stones are set

into the gaps creating a mosaic like

surface this method known as Cobblestone

Paving dates back centuries and was

commonly used for roads and Pathways

across Europe with all the pebbles in

place a protective sealant is applied

enhancing their durability and giving

them a subtle shine to conclude the

final stroke a beautifully crafted

wooden emblem bearing the chateau's name

is placed in the

center work begins on transforming the

grounds into a beautiful French garden

using detailed plans from their

landscaper the layout is marked with

ropes to define the future flower beds

and

Pathways to prepare the ground for

spring they lay biodegradable tarps over

the soil these tarps designed to

eliminate weeds and protect the Earth

through the winter will naturally

decompose leaving no Trace behind

after years of restoration a new chapter

begins for the Chateau for the first

time they are building something

entirely from scratch the

restaurant the restaurant is being built

where the chapel once stood a space that

holds centuries of history is now being

transformed into a place where people

will gather and share new memories over

delicious

[Music]

food with the carpentry delivered there

is no time to waste piece by piece the

skeleton of the restaurant starts to

materialize to the right will be the

restaurant's dining area capable of

Hosting up to 150 guests and to the left

the kitchen a modern state-of-the-art

space that will serve as the Beating

Heart of this new

[Music]

edition integrating the new restaurant

space into the existing Chateau is no

easy feat

the architectural Styles must match and

the materials must complement each other

the restaurant is set to be the first

part of the hotel to open before any

visitor sleeps in a suite they'll eat

here but time is not on their side in

just 3 months the restaurant doors are

supposed to open and the clock is

ticking everyone is fully focused there

is no time to lose

the plaster boards arrive and the team

moves quickly these boards will form the

walls and partitions defining the

spaces outside the exterior is being

transformed with long horizontal wooden

slats creating a sleek and modern facade

that contrasts with the Old Stone of the

Chateau Up on the Roof the Carpenters

are busy preparing a structure to

conceal the ventilation systems making

sure the view from the ground remains

just as elegant as the rest of the

building after constructing a sturdy

homemade support structure the heavy

equipment is carefully hoisted onto the

roof with the units now in place they

are cleverly hidden from view at ground

level returning inside more work awaits

the pressure is mounting everyone from

the construction crew to the

restaurant's future chef and staff is

pitching in to push the project

forward each step brings them closer to

the finish line but the clock is ticking

and the opening day gets

nearer with the floor tiled and the

doors installed it's a good time to see

how this topnotch kitchen is going to

look not long from

now at the heart of the kitchen is a

state-of-the-art all El electric cooking

unit specially ordered from Paris

its Sleek design and Cutting Edge

technology will allow the chefs to work

efficiently while delivering quality

meals the unit is incredibly heavy

requiring careful maneuvering to get it

into

place once secured this Powerhouse will

drive the entire kitchen ensuring it is

ready to serve food at the highest

standard the bar has now been installed

the wooden finish surrounding it brings

warmth and texture to the

[Music]

room to complete the bars transformation

a Sleek marble countertop is

installed as the marble is carefully

placed things are starting to look

good the restaurant chairs have arrived

and everything seems to be going on time

for the grand opening the only thing

left are a few last installations and

the shelving unit at the center of the

bar at the same time adhesive film is

being applied to the windows the light

at the end of the tunnel is finally in

sight and the anticipation is

growing while work continues inside the

restaurant's toilet efforts are

refocused

outside it's paven time bringing the

shat to's exterior one step closer to

completion heavy machinery moves in to

lay down a layer of gravel that merges

with the

Terrace to pave the outside area Francis

and benois have chosen herbaly a Cutting

Edge tinted permeable material unlike

traditional asphalt herbaly allows

rainwater to filter through reducing

runoff and promoting groundwater

recharge it's a modern eco-friendly

solution and its tinted finish also

gives the courtyard a soft elegant

appearance this journey has been

Monumental but Francis and benois

haven't undertaken it

alone they've had the unwavering support

of both the local community and a global

online

[Music]

audience their YouTube Channel website

and social media platforms have

documented every step drawing in people

from all over the

[Music]

world as the exterior work nears

completion the turn comes for the

entrance to the Hotel this entryway will

be the first point of

contact designed with glass on all sides

it will provide access to the reception

of the

hotel the reception is quickly

transformed into a welcoming space but

there is no time to

relax in the kitchen the cooks are busy

testing the equipment under pressure by

this time it's all about the final

adjustments from the smallest fixtures

to the finishing touches everything must

be

perfect you can feel the anticipation

building as everyone works together

knowing the restaurant's grand opening

is just just around the

[Music]

corner the day has finally arrived after

years of hard work countless challenges

and unwavering dedication the chatau

opens its doors to the public for the

first time for now it's the restaurant

but they hope the entire Hotel will

follow

soon the space that was built from the

ground up is welcoming its first

customers marking a new chapter in the

chateau's long history there's a sense

of pride in the air and everyone is

ready for a remarkable

evening the opening day was a resounding

success but while the restaurant was

taking Center Stage work inside the

Chateau continued at full speed all in

preparation for the exciting moment when

the hotel itself will open its

doors soon the entire Chateau will come

to life marking the completion of this

extraordinary

Journey our two protagonists can hardly

contain their excitement as they step

into the newly installed elevator now

fully functional it's a small moment but

for them it means the

world as the elevator doors Glide open

the reception area comes into view

bright elegant and welcoming with its

carefully chosen furnishings and warm

lighting heading up the stairs we find

the first floor and we finally get to

see the furnished and finished

rooms step by step room by room this

Chateau has been brought back from the

brink for five long years this Chateau

has been their world a place of endless

challenges sleepless nights and

unwavering

determination they faced Winters so cold

their tools froze in their hands walls

so unstable they threatened to collapse

and obstacles that seemed

unsuper now walking these Halls stepping

into these rooms the dream they clung to

through it all has

materialized the shot to is no longer

just a vision it's a Triumph a proof of

what can be achieved when you refuse to

let

go outside the Chateau shines proudly

transformed into a magnificent fourstar

hotel for Francis and benois this is

just the beginning of a new chapter

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
castle /ˈkæsəl/ B1	noun - a large fortified building or group of buildings
renovation /ˌren.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ B2	noun - the process of improving or restoring a building or structure verb - to restore or improve a building
construction /kənˈstrʌk.ʃən/ B2	noun - the building of something, especially a large structure
hotel /hoʊˈtɛl/ A2	noun - a place that provides lodging, meals, and other services for travelers
challenge /ˈtʃælɪndʒ/ B2	noun - a difficult task or problem that tests someone's abilities verb - to invite someone to compete or to test their abilities
damage /ˈdæmɪdʒ/ B1	noun - harm that reduces the value or usefulness of something verb - to cause harm or injury to something
collapse /kəˈlæps/ B2	verb - to fall down or cave in suddenly noun - a sudden failure or breakdown
stone /stoʊn/ A2	noun - a hard, naturally occurring mineral material
structure /ˈstrʌk.tʃɚ/ B2	noun - the arrangement of parts that form a whole, especially a building
heritage /ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/ B2	noun - the traditions, achievements, and culture that are passed down through generations
preservation /ˌprɛz.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/ C1	noun - the act of protecting something from decay or destruction
investment /ɪnˈvɛs.tmənt/ B2	noun - the allocation of money or resources to a project with the expectation of future benefit
funding /ˈfʌndɪŋ/ B2	noun - money provided or allocated for a particular purpose
artisan /ˈɑːrtɪzən/ C1	noun - a skilled manual worker who makes items using traditional techniques
machinery /məˈʃiːnəri/ B2	noun - machines collectively or the components of a machine
demolition /ˌdɛm.əˈlɪʃ.ən/ B2	noun - the act of tearing down a building or structure
restoration /ˌrɛs.təˈreɪ.ʃən/ B2	noun - the process of returning something to its original condition
pandemic /pænˈdɛm.ɪk/ B2	noun - an outbreak of a disease that spreads across a large region or worldwide
sustainable /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/ C1	adjective - able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting resources