le chateau de moissac – a video

by Sharon Santoni

chateau door left ajar

My April video has just gone live on You Tube and Vimeo and I am so excited!

Through the MFCH videos my aim is to bring you different experiences of French living, and to take you along with me when I go somewhere wonderful.  I think that today you are in for a treat as I invite you to come to the Chateau de Moissac in the South of France.

chateau de moissac, view from the garden

Louis and Marie Christine Cavaglioni are good friends.  I have so much admiration for the way in which they have restored their chateau.  Not only because their eye is sure and their taste faultless, but also because they are so humble and modest about what they have achieved.  Louis often says that they are just the guardians of this amazing property, the current owners in a long line through several centuries.  I believe that he underestimates just what they have achieved.

chateau bathroom

When they first saw the chateau, twenty years ago, it had been abandoned for decades.  It was never their intention to purchase  a chateau, but once they had seen Moissac it was hard to get it out of their heads.

cufrtain blowing in the wind in chateau bathroom

Never mind that it was completely overgrown, that half the roof was missing and that vandals had helped themselves to the windows and doors.  What Marie Christine and Louis saw was the potential to bring it back to life, and recreate the original Provençal beauty.

Ten years later their renovation won awards and drew admirers from far afield.  They now live here full time, welcoming family and friends around their table, and now and again the chateau is also buzzing with activity when it is used by stylists and photographers to style their latest product or for a fashion shoot.

If you would like to know more about the chateau, then just click HERE and read all about it.

I hope you like this latest video, thank you for watching.

 

Le Chateau de Moissac

Moissac Bellevue, South of France

74 comments

Kathy Andersen April 17, 2016 - 2:52 am

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!

Thank you for sharing.

Warm Regards,
Kathy Andersen
New Zealand

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Parsimonious Decor Darling April 17, 2016 - 3:30 am

Absolutely exquisite.

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Sally Bainbridge April 17, 2016 - 3:37 am

Fabulous…Le Chateau de Moissac was filmed and narrated beautifully. Applause to you for yet another glimpse into your French world. Your YouTube vignettes invite us to dream and beckon a return visit to your lovely country. Merci a toi!

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Suzanne April 17, 2016 - 3:53 am

Enjoyed this video immensely, Sharon. Couldn’t help myself from drooling all over the keyboard!

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Derick McGrath April 17, 2016 - 4:03 am

Bravo, well done.

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Anne V April 17, 2016 - 4:06 am

Thank you for sharing this beautiful vide–a small taste of wonderful France. What a gorgeous castle brought back to life. Love your videos that express so beautifully, life in France. It truly is such a special place and always my favorite. Thank you for sharing! Santé!

Anne, Oregon Coast, USA

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Judi April 17, 2016 - 5:39 am

I just want to say, I loved your video. Looking forward to seeing more.

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Esther George April 17, 2016 - 5:56 am

Breathtaking. Hi Sharon, I have been watching one of our program called Getaway for the past few weeks Scenic Tours Of France… we were in Lyon las week, it has been a feast for the eyes and the other program is one of our French chefs special called My France we were in Alsace last week both shows to be continued…sigh…one day. Thank you for sharing beauty. Have a beautiful weekend. Till next time, regards Esther from Sydney.

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Sheila in SF April 17, 2016 - 7:33 am

So enchanting…Thank you for sharing a place that is mikes away but you manage to bring to us through a video.

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Marguerite April 17, 2016 - 8:11 am

Amazing footage on such a beautiful place….I live in France, and I am extremely lucky to drive in the countrside and come across some stunning Château’s thank you.

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Taste of France April 17, 2016 - 10:55 am

How beautiful. Thank you for taking us on another gorgeous journey. I am in awe of the work you have put into these videos. And they really take us with you in a way that photos can’t quite match. Bravo!

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Giedre April 17, 2016 - 12:00 pm

I could watch this all day!! Amazing work, beautiful video!

Best wishes,
Giedre Leitone

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Brenda Oehmig April 17, 2016 - 1:37 pm

Thank you for sharing these wonderful videos. Awe inspiring.

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Laura Ingalls Gunn April 17, 2016 - 3:15 pm

Sharon this was such a special video that truly spoke to me. As I start the second year of renovations on Storybook Cottage at times I find myself becoming frustrated that it is “taking so long”. This was a lovely reminder that good things take time.Thank you so much.

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Sally Brashear April 17, 2016 - 4:21 pm

This is the best video yet. Beautiful. Thank you.

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Ellen April 17, 2016 - 4:36 pm

Proof that simple can be stunning! Very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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BETH MOSS April 17, 2016 - 4:51 pm

Beautiful! Love your blog and the pictures you post on FB. Only have one trip to France in my history and the whole time was spent in Paris. Want to go back and see the wonderful countryside. At 63, I better get going. 😉

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Emm April 17, 2016 - 5:57 pm

Lovely, thank you.

The light in your second still photo evokes the calm and stillness of a beautiful countryside. Very soul-soothing.

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Angela April 17, 2016 - 8:00 pm

Sharon, each video is more beautiful than the last, that’s not to say that I don’t enjoy every single one because I do. I love the ease in the way you speak, soothingly, which complements the superbly shot videos exquisitely. Thank you for sharing these works of art. I always wait in anticipation of the next. I’m loving “your” French life.

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Mary April 17, 2016 - 10:38 pm

Sigh. So wonderful that they took such care in making the chateau a home. Just beautiful.

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Marla Patterson April 17, 2016 - 10:56 pm

Oh so incredibly gorgeous! What a beautiful gift it is to restore this chateau. And thank you,Sharon, for the gift of the video.

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Our French Oasis April 17, 2016 - 11:00 pm

Fabulous post, so much hard work must go into these videos and it really shows, what a wonderful glimpse of French life you are giving everyone, cannot applaud you enough, this was really beautiful. Susan x

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Brenda Chambers April 17, 2016 - 11:18 pm

Great video. Thank you for giving me a little bit of French country living here in Texas.

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Pamela April 17, 2016 - 11:20 pm

Such a beautiful home ,and video . Thank you to your friends for opening up their home for all to see.

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Vicky from Athens April 17, 2016 - 11:26 pm

Sharon, that was wonderful! What an exquisite chateau . . . thanks so much for taking us along for the visit. I loved every minute!

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Danielle April 17, 2016 - 11:33 pm

Merci to your friends. It was pleasure to watch and to listen to the music and your comments.

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Colleen Taylor April 17, 2016 - 11:38 pm

Enchantingly beautiful Sharon, so serene & so exquisite. What a lovely transformation!

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Penelope April 17, 2016 - 11:43 pm

So beautiful! She is one of my favorite’s in your book! Every room seems perfect and the exterior is exquisite! Thank you for sharing with us!

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Chellie April 17, 2016 - 11:49 pm

thank you for this absolutely beautiful video

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Jackdaw April 17, 2016 - 11:54 pm

We so admire you and your style.
Thank you for your inspiration!
The Jackdaws’

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Cheryl April 17, 2016 - 11:59 pm

I so admire your passion for the culture of exquisiteness and your creative expression of it!
Cheryl ~

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Kim April 18, 2016 - 12:20 am

What a beautiful home and such a labour of love. Thank you so much for sharing
Kim

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Madonna April 18, 2016 - 12:22 am

Sharon, I believe your “Here” link is broken.

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Ali April 18, 2016 - 1:13 am

I am in awe…truly exquisite….thank you so much…

Ali

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Rié | Portobello Design April 18, 2016 - 1:17 am

Enchanting Sharon… Please keep them coming, and have all of them put on DVD for sale! xxRié

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Mary April 18, 2016 - 1:34 am

Stunningly beautiful

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Karen T. April 18, 2016 - 1:38 am

I love this video and the lovely voice with which you narrate it!

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Barbara April 18, 2016 - 1:51 am

I don’t think I would relish living in this oppressively dark and bare building.
It could have undergone a less rigorous restoration which would have resulted in a much more inviting light and airy space without compromising its integrity. I don’t understand why people feel that old buildings have to be painstakingly restored to their original state, even if it does not fit in with the way we live our lives now.

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Jan Bell April 18, 2016 - 1:51 am

Hi Sharon, it was exquisite to watch the video and listen to your voice. The music was perfectly matched to the chateau’s “simple” but elegant setting. Cannot wait for the next one!
Regards, Jan

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Trish April 18, 2016 - 2:13 am

Thank you Sharon for this beautiful video. I miss my lovely Provence so much!

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Gaili Schoen April 18, 2016 - 2:38 am

Beautiful video. And I love your book- it is a great inspiration!

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Valerie deFields April 18, 2016 - 2:54 am

This chateau will be in my dream tonight! Thank you for the lovely video, Sharon.

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April April 18, 2016 - 2:56 am

absolutely stunning!

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Debbie April 18, 2016 - 3:24 am

Beautiful!!!! Thank you!!!!

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suzanna April 18, 2016 - 3:29 am

Oh Sharon, so beautiful, just loved your shared video here! So romantic….
my dream ~ merci ~ XO

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Elvie April 18, 2016 - 4:05 am

How beautiful ,lots of work but what a result ,one word Divine.

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Debbie Spence April 18, 2016 - 4:15 am

Your video was amazing! It was so clear and rich, I truly felt like I was inside this beautiful chateau. Please make more and more videos; I love them. I have purchased many travel videos, and I like your short one so much more than any I own. In your spare time, 😉 you should create some full length travel videos. I would watch every one!!

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Maricarmen Weiss April 18, 2016 - 5:39 am

Great job!! Thank you!

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Mary Alvarez April 18, 2016 - 5:51 am

WOW!

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JaneEllen April 18, 2016 - 5:59 am

Dearest Sharon, what a breath taking experience to see the chateau, how lucky we all are and I am so grateful to you for sharing this beautiful place.
I want my youngest daughter to get to see this also. she took French in high school and always wanted to go to France, but she has parents that aren’t in that financial bracket, never have been. I feel as tho we cheated her as she is highly intelligent and would have savored France and the experience so very much.
It is her daughter who is going to Italy this Summer as an au-pair. Her daughter,19 named Delainey Jane is very intelligent in many ways, worked hard all thru her school years, had straight a’s all thru high school and won other awards. Guess could say she is quite a human being.
Am so proud of our daughter for extremely excellent job she has done as a Mother and her husband as the girls Father. They are both very talented people each in own ways as is Delainey’s 16 yr. old sister..
Our daughter, now recently 46, would enjoy seeing your blog and all you share with us so very, very much. I feel so fortunate having found your blog and getting to share all this, need to share with daughter.
I’ve never mentioned to her all have seen and learned on your posts but is past time to tell her all about you and your blog, all you share with us, Thank you from bottom of my old heart. To say viewing your posts are high light of my days is not saying enuf.
Have wonderful week, until next post…

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Jean Wethmar April 18, 2016 - 6:33 am

Oh wowie, Sharon.. thank you for this gorgeous video.. Chateau de Moissac is a treasure.. what joy.. and not to mention that very yummy apple tart at the end.. :).. just delicious.. all the way through.. thank you for sharing.. cant wait for those recipes and more videos.. x j from Sydney

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Nikki April 18, 2016 - 7:07 am

In a world where change is is no longer feared, but rather, taken for granted..may I say that the sound of your voice, along with the depictions of times gone by, is like a salve for an old soul. Please continue to share your life with us and know that you touch your readers in ways that allow one to dream. What an amazing gift you have..

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DramaDiva April 18, 2016 - 8:59 am

This made my day!

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Jeannine April 18, 2016 - 2:16 pm

Beautiful video!! The chateau has been given it’s heart and soul back. Thank you Sharon for this lovely gift.

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franki April 18, 2016 - 3:35 pm

A match made in…heaven!! franki

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LA CONTESSA April 18, 2016 - 3:51 pm

WHAT BEAUTY YOU showed me this morning!YOU are EVOLVING with the times………how long did it take for you to learn to edit and piece together the video’s!!
STUNNING…….I KNOW MY FAVORITE WORD BUT IT IS!

On a side note……..could you take on ONE more dog?TEDDY of the ELLIE fame needs a HOME and a FEW of us are searching for a WONDERFUL HOME in FRANCE!I of course, thought of YOU!Lose a SON gain a big BEAUTIFUL DOGGIE……..who is at the POUND NOW in PROVENCE.His name is TEDDY………….I think HE would FIT in PERFECTLY at CHATEAU SANTONI.

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Rosanna Clifford April 18, 2016 - 4:23 pm

Thank you so much Sharon. I have been transported back to a time and place I long to be. This is the place of my dreams.

Love and good wishes to all from Rosanna in Sydney.

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Alexis April 18, 2016 - 4:41 pm

Absolutely stunning! Thank you!

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Missy Klicka April 18, 2016 - 6:47 pm

Sharon,
Once again you treat us to the best!
This video is splendid and the tour absolutely breathtaking~
In our dreams we wander these rooms and staircases, it is so wonderful this beautiful Chateau was able to be restored and shared with the world and us, thanks to you.
I so enjoy popping over to FRANCE through your stylish blog which increases my love for travel in France.
Missy

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Missy Klicka April 18, 2016 - 6:47 pm

Sharon,
Once again you treat us to the best!
This video is splendid and the tour absolutely breathtaking~
In our dreams we wander these rooms and staircases, it is so wonderful this beautiful Chateau was able to be restored and shared with the world and us, thanks to you.
I so enjoy popping over to FRANCE through your stylish blog which increases my love for travel in France.
Missy

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Janet April 18, 2016 - 6:53 pm

Another truly lovely production. Thank you for opportunity to share these amazing experiences. I’m always walk away inspired. Warmest regards.

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Leon Trice April 18, 2016 - 7:04 pm

Very beautiful in both presentation and content.

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suzana borlovan April 18, 2016 - 11:06 pm

Breathtakingly beautiful, I watched the video twice incase I missed something

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Marilyn April 19, 2016 - 2:25 am

All I can say is Wow! Gorgeous!

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Delaine April 19, 2016 - 2:31 am

The word that comes to mind here is “elegant.” Thank you for sharing your part of the world in such a special way….

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Marian from England April 19, 2016 - 1:16 pm

A lovely peep into a French Chateau. They have achieved a fabulous renovation and not surprising it took 10 years, but it was worth it. To save this old building for the future is a privilege. My only disappointment is that the shots don’t linger long enough on each tableau! You just start to take it in and it’s gone! Would it be atall possible to slow down the shots so that we can take it all in?! Thank you and the owners for sharing their beautiful home.

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Marcia April 20, 2016 - 3:46 am

Loved Sharon! Thanks a lot!
kisses ML
Brazil

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Linda Quast April 20, 2016 - 5:15 am

Thank you so much, Sharon, for once again sharing the heart and soul of the French countryside. This is another beautiful look at what is only a dream for me. Makes me want to return to France, even though I will never own property there.

I can’t wait for the next video.

Linda

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Annie Kluman April 20, 2016 - 10:47 am

stunning!, thank you for sharing, your blog/videos/book, always brings joy
Annie x

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Lydia Langston April 22, 2016 - 2:51 am

Thank you for sharing, that was a lovely tour. Can’t wait for more.

Lydia

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botanic bleu April 24, 2016 - 8:30 pm

Sharon,
The gentle rhythm of your voice enhances the timeless beauty of the chateau in your latest video. Thank you for taking us along a private tour into the chateau that is your friend’s home. The staircase alone is enough to view the video, but there is so much more. A story of the chateau unfolds with yours and the owner’s walk through its rooms. Seeing you style two of the spaces shows how the chateau is now a site used by stylists to create beautiful scenarios for their photo shoots. I’m sure if I watched the video again I would see even more depth to the subtle ways you have showcased the chateau’s story.

In your last reader’s survey I indicated I was not interested in videos because my Internet service was not good enough to view them. How lucky I am that 21st-century Internet service is now available in my little plot in the countryside as of last week.

Judith

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Carol Anne Ahrens June 20, 2016 - 8:58 pm

Bravo! Took me right back to the south of France in your short, well-done video. They are so very fortunate to live in such a beautiful chateau!

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Pamela Phillips June 20, 2016 - 11:59 pm

Absolutely wonderful, what a way to live, I could move there from Canada in a heartbeat.
My only question would be …where do they put all their “stuff” surely they too collect things during their life. Even their clothes etc. where are they. I am guessing in some private hidden dressing rooms.
Lovely none the less. When can I come visit?

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Lillian Plummer November 26, 2016 - 1:56 am

Lovely video, thank you for taking me through this superb Château. Can’t even to begin to imagine the hours of work that went into this incredible restoration and the cost involved. Really truly a labour of love. Looking forward to your next video.
Best wishes lillian.

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