Domaine des Royautés
03160 St. Léopardin d'Augy
France
0033 (0)4 70 66 24 79
contact@les-royautes.com




~~~~ About Us~~~~

As a family we decided a few years ago to quit the rat race in the South east of England and live the "dream" in France. We eventually chose this region because of all it has to offer. The area is very much like the countryside of England many years ago. The locals, although always dubious about why people would want to move to such a remote part of France are very friendly and always on hand when we need help or just for a chat and a drink.

My wife and I are both in our late forties and we have two sons. Together we started a journey into the unknown. Our objective was to live a life, that although stressful at times will be more fulfilling, in turn we would like to share this way of life with anybody that appreciates the simple things and nature at its most beautiful.

My background was and is mechanical engineering. My work allowed me to travel around the UK and Europe. However the downside “the job" took me away from my family for long periods of time.

In the late 80's I had a break from engineering to open an Italian restaurant (my roots are Italian). We now serve some of the dishes from the restaurant menu to our guests and friends. We hope sometime in the future to run short breaks for people wishing to learn how to prepare some basic Italian recipes and the culinary skills that go with them.

In my younger days when I was single I lived in France for two years and I do have some command of the French language. This has proved invaluable as things can sometimes be very confusing and there is a considerable amount of red tape, the same as in England but in a different language.

My wife has been a great support to me over the years looking after our home and bringing up our two boys. On top of all that she also had a job! In a hotel of all places, great training for our new venture. She has been relentless in supporting this project and at times has run the ship almost single handed. The decor and soft furnishings is her domain and the beautiful results are very much appreciated by everyone that has visited or stayed with us.

There are times when the solitude gets to her, especially in the winter, but then a short trip to visit her family in the UK usually sorts that out.

My eldest son was educated to “A” level standard. He loves the out door life, and has been a great asset to this project. Over the last two years he has learnt many new skills and has lifted my spirits when we have gone through a low period. His reckless youthful attitude reminds me of someone I don't care to mention and although he has had some set backs himself, he never loses sight of a bright future.

He is now his own "boss", throughout the summer we have together along with his brother set up and built all that was needed for a paintball business. We have had many sessions and it is going from strength to strength. He is really keen to provide whatever it takes to make sure our guests have a great time.

Then there’s our youngest, up for anything, full of life. Unfortunately not this life, he has tried his hardest but homesickness is a strange phenomena. He attended a local school for about 18 months and has learnt to speak some French. It’s time for him to fly the nest and start his own adventure.

In closing I would like to thank everyone that has, and are still are giving us support from as far as the UK, Italy, USA, France, nationally and locally. Too many to mention but, you know who you are, mostly I would like to thank my wife and my two boys. The journey continues……