**British Family Sells French Château to Reconnect with Home Life in the UK**
After a decade of embracing French rural life, British couple Natalie and Andrew Solomon have decided to bid farewell to their grand château in the heart of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. Their journey, which began with the purchase of a sprawling estate and an adventurous leap into the unknown, is nearing its conclusion as they prepare for a new chapter back in their homeland. Their return, they admit, brings not only the prospect of reconnecting with loved ones but also simple pleasures sorely missed—chief among them, the traditional British Sunday roast.
The Solomons, originally from Shropshire, made the bold move to France ten years ago, bringing their two young children and Natalie’s parents along for the experience. Trading in their English home, they acquired the Château de Memanat for €800,000—a purchase made possible by the sale of their Shropshire property and the financial support from Natalie’s parents. The sprawling estate with 20 hectares of land offered them a unique opportunity to start afresh in a new country, a decision they say they have never regretted.
Their time in France has been marked both by challenges and achievements. Early difficulties such as language barriers and acclimatisation to rural French life forced the family to adapt quickly. Natalie recalls the challenge of simple day-to-day situations: “If something goes wrong at home you know exactly who to ring, but here, it was a case of ‘How do you say plumber?’” she said. Nevertheless, the family faced these hurdles head-on, gradually embedding themselves into their new surroundings.
Determined to make the most of their investment, Natalie and Andrew turned the château into a thriving hospitality business. They expanded on their initial venture as B&B hosts, later constructing two distinctive treehouses—Castel De L’arbre and Cabanon Perche. These hand-built lodges, perched amid the sprawling grounds, come fully equipped with private hot tubs and reflect the couple’s imaginative vision. Eschewing the classic French breakfast, the Solomons won over guests from near and far with hearty full English breakfasts and even butter chicken curries, setting their offer apart from typically continental fare.
Natalie, aged 38, describes the transformative impact the move had on their children, who arrived in France at the ages of two and four. “We hoped our kids would become bilingual, and now our daughter speaks both English and French fluently. It was all about stepping out of our comfort zone and having an adventure,” she says. The rural French lifestyle, she notes, afforded the children a sense of freedom they might not have found elsewhere.
Operating in an area known for its laid-back approach to life, the Solomons observed stark cultural differences, particularly when it came to hospitality. “English hospitality seems to be much more guest-focused compared to the French style,” Natalie observed, crediting their warm and accommodating approach as a key factor in the success of their business. Many French visitors, she said, were pleasantly surprised by the couple’s commitment to making their stay memorable—a sentiment frequently echoed in online reviews.
Now, with the Château de Memanat on the market for €1.35 million, the family is shifting focus to their forthcoming move home. The ties of friendship and family have drawn them back, alongside considerations for their children’s schooling. Differences in the French and British educational systems played their part, Natalie explained, with longer school days in France but shorter holidays in the UK—a factor that influenced their decision.
Though set to leave their French adventure behind, Natalie and Andrew view their time at the château as an invaluable and rewarding experience. Looking ahead, they hope to channel the creativity and hospitality that made their French venture a success into building similar accommodations in Britain. The couple has not ruled out another stint abroad, holding an open mind about what the future may hold.
For now, the pull of home—familiar faces, familiar places, and yes, the classic Sunday roast at a local pub—proves irresistible. As Natalie puts it, “To be able to stroll into a pub and actually find the kitchen open for a roast is something we’ve missed. France is beautiful and peaceful, but there’s no place quite like home.” The Solomon family, having thoroughly lived the French rural dream, is ready to embrace their next adventure on British shores, confident that the knowledge and memories they bring back will serve them well in whatever new chapter awaits.