TL;DR
- Gijs Stork and Angelo Tromp bought a French château during the pandemic.
- They transformed it into a B&B and cultural hub.
- The local community embraced them wholeheartedly.
- The château features a mix of historical and contemporary decor.
- Their story highlights hidden queer narratives in history.
Once upon a time, in the midst of a global pandemic, a fabulous gay couple decided to swap their Amsterdam canal house for a piece of history in the French countryside. Enter Gijs Stork and his partner Angelo Tromp, who turned their dreams into reality by purchasing the magnificent Château du Fresne in Champéon, Mayenne. This wasn’t just any old château; it was a blank canvas waiting for their creative touch.
Their story begins during the first Covid lockdown when life as they knew it came to a screeching halt. With Gijs stuck at home and Angelo off in Aruba caring for family, the couple found themselves longing for something more. “All our activities disappeared,” Gijs recalls. “I thought: ‘What am I even doing here?’” But once the pandemic restrictions eased, they were ready for a change. They opened their laptops and stumbled upon the château, which was the first property they saw. “We knew immediately: ‘This is it,’” Gijs says, even though the gate was chained shut and the weather was less than inviting.
Upon visiting, they found a stunning historic property with a dovecote, a bridge, and a courtyard that could make any fairy tale jealous. Sure, it needed a little TLC—rotten stable doors, peeling paint, and a bridge that needed replacing—but the solid foundations promised a bright future. And what they didn’t expect was the warm welcome from the local village. “We were worried people might not accept us as two men, but that wasn’t the case at all,” Gijs shares. They hit it off with the mayor, who arrived for a visit with a small army of 40 instead of the promised 10. Talk about a grand entrance!
With the help of around a hundred volunteers from the village, the couple rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The château, once empty, became a vibrant B&B and cultural hub, hosting artists and events. “For the people here, the castle feels like it belongs to them,” Gijs explains. The château has a rich history, having served as a field hospital during the war, and the community’s connection to it runs deep.
As they decorated their new home, they embraced the eclectic style that reflects their personalities. Mixing a 1740 wall tapestry with contemporary art, they created a space that tells a story. “By combining old and new, it feels like a living house that keeps evolving,” says Gijs. And let’s not forget the pièce de résistance: the Chambre du Roi, adorned with portraits of Louis XIV and his brother Philippe I, who is often considered a historical queer figure. “For us, it’s an inspiring reference to hidden queer stories in European history,” Gijs adds, reminding us that love has always found a way, even in the most unexpected places.
So, if you’re looking for a getaway that’s equal parts history and fabulousness, look no further than the Château du Fresne. Gijs and Angelo have not only transformed a beautiful property but also woven themselves into the fabric of the community, proving that love, creativity, and a little bit of flair can truly change the world.