Our French Country Home

Our French Country Home Our home away from home, run by an Aussie couple Chateau de la Carriere is a 19th Century castle bas

The last week of summer at the château… and summer is definitely not giving up just yet. ☀️The temperatures are still hi...
16/09/2026

The last week of summer at the château… and summer is definitely not giving up just yet. ☀️

The temperatures are still high, the pool is still calling, and we have some lovely guests here celebrating a very special 60th birthday. 🥂

And, just in time for the celebrations, we’ve welcomed our newest volunteer, Orlando — master of cake making! 🎂 His timing couldn’t have been better, arriving just in time to create the most fabulous birthday cat cake. 🐈‍⬛🎂

The water restrictions are still in place, so the garden is feeling the heat a little — but the potager is having its moment. Tomatoes, aubergines, melons and cucumbers are absolutely thriving. 🍅🍆🍈🥒 And out in the orchard, the quinces are slowly ripening, waiting patiently for their moment.

What a summer it’s been. Busy, hot, colourful, sometimes completely bonkers… and wonderful all at the same time.

Most of all, we’re grateful for all the fabulous people who have come through our gates, shared our tables, swum in our pool, laughed, celebrated and made this summer so memorable.

One last stretch of summer magic before autumn arrives. 🌿☀️🥂

PoolDays BirthdayCelebration 60thBirthday BirthdayCake CatCake OrlandoTheCakeMaker GardenLife PotagerGarden KitchenGarden Homegrown FrenchGarden QuinceSeason SummerMagic ChâteauLiving CountrysideLife VolunteerLife GoodTimes SummerMemories AutumnIsComing

Last night at the Château… 🌙✨What a night to remember.Under the Mayenne sky, our group from The Mint Gardener, led by th...
13/08/2026

Last night at the Château… 🌙✨

What a night to remember.

Under the Mayenne sky, our group from The Mint Gardener, led by the wonderful Sarah Simon, took a little break from watercolours to experience the solar eclipse together.

A huge thank you to Mayenne Tourisme and ici Mayenne Radio for gifting us a safe way to watch this incredible moment. Eclipse glasses on, everyone outside, eyes to the sky… 🌘

One of those unexpected Château moments that makes a week here even more special — creativity, new friendships, warm summer nights and a little celestial magic thrown in.

We won’t forget this one. ✨

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What’s coming out of Suzie’s Château Kitchen tonight? 🍽️🌿Today we welcome a wonderful new group to the château, led by t...
12/08/2026

What’s coming out of Suzie’s Château Kitchen tonight? 🍽️🌿

Today we welcome a wonderful new group to the château, led by the incredibly talented watercolour artist Sarah Simon, also known as The Mint Gardener, joining us all the way from the States. 🎨

She’ll be teaching a fabulous group of women throughout the week — and they’ve certainly picked an eventful one to be here! A solar eclipse, soaring summer temperatures, and plenty happening around the château. ☀️🌙

We’re looking forward to a beautiful few days of creativity, delicious meals from Suzie’s kitchen, pool time, garden moments and a few château adventures along the way.

Tonight is only the beginning… stay tuned. ✨

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08/08/2026

Episode 4 — The Biggest Transformation 🌿

“What was the biggest transformation here — the thing that changed the atmosphere the most?”

Paul Bangay designed the gardens at Château de la Carrière in 2019. Now, several years later, we have the wonderful opportunity to walk through them together and hear his thoughts on how the garden has evolved.

And next spring, you can experience it with him too.

Join us at Château de la Carrière from 10–14 May 2027 for our Paul Bangay Garden Tour — five days immersed in beautiful gardens, design, food and château life, with Paul.

Stay with us at the château, explore our garden with the man who designed it, and discover some exceptional gardens beyond our gates.

Bookings are now open — link in bio.

Next episode — The Emotional Power of a Garden.




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01/08/2026

Welcome back to Suzie’s Château Kitchen.

Today we’re making one of summer’s simplest pleasures… homemade apricot jam.

It all starts with beautifully ripe apricots, washed, chopped and gently cooked with sugar until they become rich, glossy and full of flavour.

Making jam isn’t about rushing. It’s about slowing down and letting the fruit do what it does best.

Once it’s ready, we carefully pour it into sterilised jars to preserve a little taste of summer for the months ahead.

Whether it’s spread on warm toast, a flaky croissant, or served with cheese, there’s nothing quite like homemade jam.

From our château kitchen to yours… bon appétit.

, , , , , FrenchCountryCooking, PreservingFruit, SummerRecipes

After years of guests asking, “Where can I buy your château toile?”… the day has finally arrived.Our Château de la Carri...
20/07/2026

After years of guests asking, “Where can I buy your château toile?”… the day has finally arrived.

Our Château de la Carrière Toile is now available online.

Designed by Sophie Thé () and inspired by life at the château, this is our modern interpretation of the timeless French Toile de Jouy. Every illustration tells part of our story—from Fleur and our beloved cats to the gardens, greenhouse, and the little details that make Château de la Carrière so special.

To bring the design to life, we chose Tissus d’Avesnières, a fifth-generation family textile house founded in 1881 and located just 30 minutes from Château de la Carrière, to print our fabric. Renowned for preserving traditional French textile craftsmanship, they were the perfect choice to execute our design.

Printed in our two signature colourways—classic French blue and heritage green—our toile is a celebration of French heritage, local craftsmanship, and life at the château.

✨ Available now via the link in our bio.

We can’t wait to see what you create. If you make something with our toile, don’t forget to tag us so we can share it with our château community.

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17/07/2026

Can a garden be both beautiful and productive?

In Episode 3 of In the Garden with Paul Bangay, renowned landscape designer Paul Bangay discusses the relationship between aesthetics, seasonality, and functionality while walking through the potager and gardens at Château de la Carrière in France.

From kitchen gardens to atmosphere, this episode explores how outdoor spaces can nourish both people and place.

Filmed at Château de la Carrière, France.

New episodes coming soon.

Follow along:
Instagram —
Paul Bangay —

03 | The Perennial GardenSome gardens ask for attention.A perennial garden rewards patience.Unlike annual flowers that a...
17/07/2026

03 | The Perennial Garden

Some gardens ask for attention.

A perennial garden rewards patience.

Unlike annual flowers that are replanted each year, perennials return season after season, growing stronger and more beautiful with time. The result is a garden that is constantly changing, where every visit offers a different palette of colour, texture and movement.

Designed by renowned Australian landscape designer Paul Bangay, our perennial garden celebrates this ever-changing rhythm of nature. Inspired by timeless design, it has been created to look beautiful in every season, with carefully chosen planting that ensures something is always emerging, flowering or fading gracefully.

It’s one of those places that invites you to slow down, wander without a destination and notice the details.

If you’d like to discover the thinking behind the garden, you’ll find exclusive interviews with Paul Bangay on our YouTube channel.
Follow the link in our bio to watch the series.

And if you’d like to experience these gardens in person, join us for one of our exclusive Paul Bangay Garden Tours.

Which perennial would you choose if you could only plant one in your own garden? We’d love to hear in the comments.

Welcome to Chapter Three.

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16/07/2026

Day 2 of our Paul Bangay Garden Tour.

There is something special about exploring a garden with the person who imagined it.

Every pathway has a purpose. Every view has been carefully considered. Every conversation offers a new way of seeing the landscape around you.

These aren’t just gardens to admire—they’re gardens to experience.

If you’ve ever dreamed of spending a few unforgettable days immersed in beautiful gardens, inspiring conversations and wonderful company, we’d love to welcome you.

Our 2027 Paul Bangay Garden Tour is now open for bookings.

🌿 10–14 May 2027
🔗 Register via the link in our bio or visit our website.

Tell us… if you could ask Paul Bangay one question about garden design, what would it be?

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