<strong>Life-changing purchase:</strong> Ellen and Joseph from the US, who had dreamed of living in France for years, came across a tiny rundown home in the historic village of Lonlay l'Abbaye in Normandy online back in 2014, and decided to purchase it unseen.
Life-changing purchase: Ellen and Joseph from the US, who had dreamed of living in France for years, came across a tiny rundown home in the historic village of Lonlay l'Abbaye in Normandy online back in 2014, and decided to purchase it unseen.
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>Big job: </strong>"It really wasn't in move in condition at all," says Ellen, explaining that the house needed extensive work to make it liveable again.
Big job: "It really wasn't in move in condition at all," says Ellen, explaining that the house needed extensive work to make it liveable again.
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>'Half house': </strong>Once the sale was finalized, the couple brought in builders to begin demolition work on the property, overseeing things from their California home.<br />
'Half house': Once the sale was finalized, the couple brought in builders to begin demolition work on the property, overseeing things from their California home.
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>Before and after</strong>: They completed extensive renovation work on the home over a period of nearly seven years, replacing the floors and walls, as well as the electrics and plumbing.
Before and after: They completed extensive renovation work on the home over a period of nearly seven years, replacing the floors and walls, as well as the electrics and plumbing.
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong> Work in progress:</strong> "Each year, we budgeted for a different phase of renovation," says Ellen. "We sought out good building materials and learned about ventilation and humidity issues in old stone houses."<br />
Work in progress: "Each year, we budgeted for a different phase of renovation," says Ellen. "We sought out good building materials and learned about ventilation and humidity issues in old stone houses."
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>New kitchen: </strong>While they had no choice but to get new windows and doors, they opted to replace them with replicas.
New kitchen: While they had no choice but to get new windows and doors, they opted to replace them with replicas.
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>Passion project:</strong> Ellen and Joseph, who finally moved to France in 2017, say that their goal was to both transform the house into a liveable second home, and "restore it and leave it in good authentic condition for future generations."<br />
Passion project: Ellen and Joseph, who finally moved to France in 2017, say that their goal was to both transform the house into a liveable second home, and "restore it and leave it in good authentic condition for future generations."
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>Complete transformation: </strong>"We're extremely proud of the builders, who managed to transform this from basically a small country ruin to a very liveable place," says Joseph.
Complete transformation: "We're extremely proud of the builders, who managed to transform this from basically a small country ruin to a very liveable place," says Joseph.
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>Renovation costs: </strong>The couple estimate that they spent a total of 65,000 euros (about $70,000) on the building works and labor, and a further 5,000 euros on appliances and furniture.
Renovation costs: The couple estimate that they spent a total of 65,000 euros (about $70,000) on the building works and labor, and a further 5,000 euros on appliances and furniture.
Ellen and Joseph A.
<strong>New life:</strong> Now settled in France, Ellen and Joseph move back and forth between their rented apartment in Paris and their home in Lonlay l'Abbaye, stressing that they wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
New life: Now settled in France, Ellen and Joseph move back and forth between their rented apartment in Paris and their home in Lonlay l'Abbaye, stressing that they wouldn't have it any other way.
Ellen and Joseph A.