<strong>New digs:</strong> In 2021, graphic designer Mark Goff and his husband, data engineer Phillip Engel purchased the historic Château Avensac and moved to France's Gers region.
New digs: In 2021, graphic designer Mark Goff and his husband, data engineer Phillip Engel purchased the historic Château Avensac and moved to France's Gers region.
Château Avensac
<strong>Big project:</strong> The couple are transforming the French manor house into a boutique hotel and entertainment space, and hope to be ready to open up some rooms towards the end of 2023.
Big project: The couple are transforming the French manor house into a boutique hotel and entertainment space, and hope to be ready to open up some rooms towards the end of 2023.
Château Avensac
<strong>Work-in-progress:</strong> They plan to do most of the "core work" themselves, but Goff and Engel are bringing in artisans to deal with the infrastructure side of things.
Work-in-progress: They plan to do most of the "core work" themselves, but Goff and Engel are bringing in artisans to deal with the infrastructure side of things.
Château Avensac
<strong>Large-scale property:</strong> The chateau has around 48 rooms, including a billiard room, a library and a wine storeroom.
Large-scale property: The chateau has around 48 rooms, including a billiard room, a library and a wine storeroom.
Château Avensac
<strong>Historic building: </strong>Although the chateau was apparently built in the early 19th century, it was constructed on the site of a chateau dating back to around 1320.
Historic building: Although the chateau was apparently built in the early 19th century, it was constructed on the site of a chateau dating back to around 1320.
Château Avensac
<strong>Enormous task:</strong> "It's a manageable size," Goff tells CNN Travel. "I mean, it's huge. But it's a manageable size."
Enormous task: "It's a manageable size," Goff tells CNN Travel. "I mean, it's huge. But it's a manageable size."
Château Avensac
<strong>Extensive work:</strong> They've been working on repairing the floors and giving some of the rooms a face lift.
Extensive work: They've been working on repairing the floors and giving some of the rooms a face lift.
Château Avensac
<strong>Maintaining the essence:</strong> "We are pro restoration, not renovation," explains Goff. "So every detail that is there, we are keeping."
Maintaining the essence: "We are pro restoration, not renovation," explains Goff. "So every detail that is there, we are keeping."
Château Avensac
<strong>Chateau owners: </strong>While they say they're at "ground zero," Goff and Engel have big plans for the property.
Chateau owners: While they say they're at "ground zero," Goff and Engel have big plans for the property.
Château Avensac
<strong>Full makeover: </strong>One of the many tasks they've been working on is adding en suite bathrooms to the 48 bedrooms.
Full makeover: One of the many tasks they've been working on is adding en suite bathrooms to the 48 bedrooms.
Château Avensac
<strong>Budget challenges:</strong> "If we were sensible, we could have bought a chateau for maybe a little bit cheaper," says Engel. "And then we would have had enough funds to really do the proper renovation. But we're not sensible."
Budget challenges: "If we were sensible, we could have bought a chateau for maybe a little bit cheaper," says Engel. "And then we would have had enough funds to really do the proper renovation. But we're not sensible."
Château Avensac
<strong>Opening plans:</strong> "We hope to get something up and running for 2023 to start bringing a little income in to keep supporting moving forward," says Goff.
Opening plans: "We hope to get something up and running for 2023 to start bringing a little income in to keep supporting moving forward," says Goff.
Château Avensac
<strong>Village life: </strong>Goff and Engel hosted a Halloween party for the entire village last year, and say they want locals to feel included in their chateau experiment.
Village life: Goff and Engel hosted a Halloween party for the entire village last year, and say they want locals to feel included in their chateau experiment.
Château Avensac
<strong>Community spirit:</strong> "Of course, it's our house," says Engel. "But in a way it belongs to the community as well."
Community spirit: "Of course, it's our house," says Engel. "But in a way it belongs to the community as well."
Château Avensac