The Full Story

I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, in the 1960s, as the youngest son of Russian parents who had escaped Europe after World War II in the late 1940s. My parents were granted asylum in Australia as refugees, a blessing they cherished. Despite their new life, they never forgot their roots and embraced their role as Australian immigrants with great pride.

Having been born and raised by my parents in the European way in Melbourne, I have always felt more connected to the European lifestyle. In 2000, I began working in the motorsport industry in Europe, and it felt like coming home. Over the years, I traveled and vacationed in nearly every European country, but I felt especially drawn to France. Its lifestyle, friendly and hospitable people, and beautiful countryside resonated deeply with me, making it feel like home.

During that period of my life, I was fortunate enough to meet a partner with a kindred spirit who shared my interests and vision for what we could achieve in France. Like myself, Heidi Broady, who is from the UK, had vacationed in France many times over the years and was also looking to do more with her life. Heidi has a feel for the land, while I have practical knowledge of what people look for and expect in the hospitality industry. Together, we conceived an idea.

At the beginning of 2019, we planted the seed of opportunity and began searching for a property in beautiful rural France where we could combine our knowledge and skills in land and hospitality. Our search led us to the Limousin region, specifically to Haute-Vienne. There, we found our dream property nestled in a secluded hamlet, just minutes away from the village of Coussac-Bonneval.

Our 200-year-old stone country house and converted gite, once a piggery, sit alongside a large barn and five acres of land, entirely surrounded by our own mature woodland. This woodland is teeming with local flora and fauna, including various species of birds, squirrels, bats, and even a resident deer who visits us daily. We also have a pond fed by our own spring. However, the most exciting feature is the peace and serenity the property offers. The sound of the wind in the trees and the views across the nearby valley are outstanding.

We have been given the opportunity to develop the property into a high-quality, self-contained accommodation retreat. Soon, we will offer guests the chance to walk alpacas, followed by afternoon tea on the barn verandah, overlooking the beautiful countryside. Other activities will include cycling, fishing, horse riding, lake swimming, and caving. Additionally, there will be a wide range of places to visit, such as the pottery factories of Limoges, the carpet-making showrooms of Aubusson, and the many châteaux in the region, including our very own Château de Bonneval, which towers over our village. We will also offer various other activities through business partnerships within the region.

Heidi and I look forward to welcoming you to our home and little piece of paradise in beautiful rural France, very soon.

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