Letters from Elisabeth

Elizabeth Bonner bought the estate in 2005 and the restoration work began on the château. Renovating the main house took several years, after which Elizabeth turned her attention to restoring the farmhouse, cottage and guardian's house. She oversaw the work herself, focusing on preserving original features while incorporating modern comforts and elegant touches. Each winter, the cycle of renovating and maintaining the buildings and park begins again.

If you are interested in life on the Courtomer estate, the French countryside or local history, subscribe below to receive 'Letters from Elizabeth' and other news from Courtomer. Otherwise, browse the archive to follow Elizabeth’s restoration journey and her passion for France and its culture. Simply click on the category that interests you the most.

Paris is all lit up for Spring

Paris is all lit up for Spring

Sites to Visit, TraditionsBonner PropertiesApril 1, 2022Comment

The Benediction

The Benediction

Elisabeth Bonner bought the Chateau in 2005 and lovingly restored it keeping all the beauty but adding modern comforts. Keep informed of life in the French countryside and on the Courtomer estate by subscribing to her weekly newsletter.

Family Time, Chateau LifeBonner PropertiesMarch 27, 2022Comment

A walk on Omaha Beach

A walk on Omaha Beach

Family Time, Sites to VisitBonner PropertiesMarch 11, 2022Comment

L'heure bleue

L'heure bleue

HistoryBonner PropertiesFebruary 19, 2022Comment

Winter at the Farmhouse

Winter at the Farmhouse

Farm LifeBonner PropertiesFebruary 12, 2022Comment

Serenade indochinoise

Serenade indochinoise

HistoryBonner PropertiesFebruary 4, 2022french history, french cultureComment

A treasure house near the Chateau

A treasure house near the Chateau

Sites to Visit, History, Family TimeBonner PropertiesJanuary 29, 2022Comment

The bells of Courtomer

The bells of Courtomer

Chateau Life, HistoryBonner PropertiesJanuary 25, 2022Comment

Hunting the stag...a trophée for the Chateau...and an age-old custom of the French countryside...

Hunting the stag...a trophée for the Chateau...and an age-old custom of the French countryside...

Chateau Life, Farm Life, TraditionsBonner PropertiesJanuary 7, 2022Comment

Early morning on New Year's Eve, a quiet moment to remember our bonheurs...and to discover a porte-bonheur

Early morning on New Year's Eve, a quiet moment to remember our bonheurs...and to discover a porte-bonheur

Chateau LifeBonner PropertiesDecember 31, 2021christmasComment

Slipping away to wish you warm greetings on this festive day...and une Joyeuse Fête...Christmas is here!

Slipping away to wish you warm greetings on this festive day...and une Joyeuse Fête...Christmas is here!

Chateau Life, Family TimeBonner PropertiesDecember 31, 2021christmasComment

Ashes and smoldering cinders still drift to the ground.

Ashes and smoldering cinders still drift to the ground.

Chateau Life, HistoryBonner PropertiesDecember 12, 2021french history, french culture, current eventsComment

Autumn at the Chateau...Thanksgiving, and a memory comes gusting into the kitchen...

Autumn at the Chateau...Thanksgiving, and a memory comes gusting into the kitchen...

History, Family TimeBonner PropertiesNovember 24, 2021cultureComment

The littles ones visit Laval...it's better with butter...a tale told in stone...and statues..

The littles ones visit Laval...it's better with butter...a tale told in stone...and statues..

Family Time, Sites to Visit, HistoryBonner PropertiesNovember 15, 2021Comment

Marriage is a song of love...A wedding in the family, Part Quatre

Marriage is a song of love...A wedding in the family, Part Quatre

Chateau LifeBonner PropertiesOctober 30, 2021weddingComment

If music be the food of love...A wedding in the family, Part Trois

If music be the food of love...A wedding in the family, Part Trois

Family TimeBonner PropertiesOctober 11, 2021wedding, music, celebrationsComment

A wedding in the family...Part Deux

A wedding in the family...Part Deux

Chateau Life, Family TimeBonner PropertiesOctober 11, 2021weddingComment

A wedding in the family...

A wedding in the family...

Family Time, Chateau LifeBonner PropertiesSeptember 26, 2021wedding, familyComment

Relics and loot...the Vikings and the Bishop make Normandy

Relics and loot...the Vikings and the Bishop make Normandy

Although autumn crispness is not yet in the air, the bright clear days of l’été de la Saint Maurille, the "summer of Saint Maurille" -- feted last Monday on September 13 -- are here.

HistoryBonner PropertiesSeptember 20, 2021Comment

A glimmer of immortality...art and life on the farm

A glimmer of immortality...art and life on the farm

Farm Life, Chateau LifeBonner PropertiesSeptember 12, 2021culture, crops, herdsComment