It has been a challenge trying to retain all the original features and keep them going for another 400 years while providing modern conveniences.  It has also been an education learning all about a whole new area of  shopping--all the bricos--bricolots, bricomarché, bricodepot …!  Communicating with tradesmen and builders' merchants has also been very good for our French!   

The first apartment welcomed its inaugural guests at the end of July 2002 and we have enjoyed testing out the fittings and ambience for ourselves very successfully.

The other bonus that came with the new project is  the 'garden'  which provides a quiet corner to sit and enjoy the sun, with the colonnade still there for when it gets too hot.

The second apartment was finished the following summer and looks out to the 'garden' and we can now welcome two families travelling together to 'L'ancien boulangerie' as well separately.