This American Couple Bought a French Chateau. Tour Before Restoration.

Meet Richard and Melissa Bryant, an American couple who bought Château de Hauterives near Laval, about an hour west of Paris by TGV, and are now taking on an ambitious historic renovation.

Join them for a room-by-room walkthrough of the château as it stands today, from the 1768 wooden staircase and the formal French gardens to the 16th-century dovecote and chapel.

Richard and Melissa share their vision for restoring the property to its 18th-century character, working closely with France's Architectes des Bâtiments de France (DRAC) to respect the château's history while bringing in modern comfort.

Along the way, discover hidden layers of the château's past.

They also walk through their plans for parquet de Versailles flooring throughout, a reimagined kitchen built around an old French farmhouse feel, and a cellar that sealed the deal on their decision to call this château home.

This is the first chapter in their renovation story, with a follow-up video planned once the transformation is complete.