Château DIY at Christmas

At Château du Doux, Abbie, Clive and Karen look forward to downing tools for Christmas, before a visit from the fire safety inspector to check their outdoor terrace.

A national timber shortage threatens to scupper Stephanie's plans to decorate the Marquis salon at Château de Lalande with expensive wallpaper in time for a Christmas party. In the Dordogne, Abbie, Clive and Karen erect a heavy spiral staircase and install complicated lighting on the terrace roof and at Château Mareuil in the Nouvelle Acquitane, Belinda and Lee try to bring an air of mystery to a unique Christmas party for their neighbours.

Matt takes to the cherry picker to decorate the 40-feet tree in the garden of Château La Briance. Ben and Billie begin the overhaul of their wine cave, hoping it will be ready for a Christmas toast.

In the Cognac region, Sarah creates large decorations the big chateau needs to make a festive statement, while George struggles with the weight of the tree. Near Bordeaux, Edward hopes his renovation of the chateau bell will convince his son that Santa will really visit this year.

In Cognac country at Château de Brives, Sarah and George have their work cut out as they organise a traditional English carol concert in their French village church.

The chateau owners embark on some creative projects to prepare for the festive season including flying sleigh decorations, mantlepiece ornaments and lodge restorations. Zion scales new heights to unblock the chimney, and Ben and Billy finally finish their stable project.

The chateau owners decorate for Christmas. Julia looks for historically accurate decorations while Trish tries to find eco-friendly decor that fit with her Bostonian roots. Alison and Zion are nearly finished renovating their hunting lodge, but with it being 8 metres tall, decorating is proving difficult.

In the Dordogne, chef Tim wants to cook a traditional French feast, and while Krys makes decorations, he puts plans in place to roast the goose over an open fire. Meanwhile, at Château de la Ruche, Rebecca goes all out to prepare the chateau for Christmas with decorations and sweet delights, although Tim is feeling far from festive.

Donna and Paul have their work cut out repairing a grand staircase in their grounds in time to host a festive drinks event with a twist. Near the north coast, Chris and Jolyon's large family party is upon them, and as Christmas decorating gets underway, they go the extra mile by creating a hidden Santa's grotto for the kids. Meanwhile, at Château de Lalande, Stephanie and Gerry get the new Marquis Salon dressed for a Christmas dinner.

There's a festive frenzy in the Loire Valley, as Ben and Billie embark on an ambitious project to create the tallest Christmas tree in France. Meanwhile, Philip prepares the château for an unforgettable Christmas extravaganza, along with a surprise DIY project for when Janet returns.

At Janet and Philip's chateau, they try to complete their hallway transformation before their Christmas extravaganza. It's also all hands on deck at Chateau de Dohem for Wendy and Marcus, as they prepare for their first-ever Christmas-themed murder mystery party. At Chateau de Lalacelle, Terry and Ashley make their own snow indoors by bringing down one of the chateau ceilings, before they can switch on their 5000 lights to start Christmas properly.

At Chateau du Puits es Pratx, Tim and Sasha prepare for the final wedding of the season. A couple who married there 10 years ago are returning with their children for a Christmas they'll never forget. At Chateau des Vieilles Vignes, Nick and Nicole are planning a Christmas party but they don't have a floor. With concrete waiting to harden, there's just 24 hours before the party begins. Meanwhile, in the Dordogne, Tim and Krys have big plans for an unforgettable treat for Tim's son Owen, while also creating the perfect hot chocolate.

Before their annual Christmas soirée at Château Trois Cloches, Chris and Jolyon plan to transform their hallway. They'll need to work harder than Santa's elves to pull this off. At Château du Puits es Pratx, it's the day of the big wedding. However, with flowers, food and photographs to organise, there's lots to do before Tim and Sasha can say 'I do'.

Near Le Havre, Chris and Jolyon are as busy as two elves at Château Trois Cloches, trying to finish their hallway before their annual Christmas soirée with friends and family. Donna and Paul are going deep underground as they hold their Christmas get-together in the château caves. Over in Montmorillon, Belinda and Lee are spreading plenty of holiday cheer, as they serve up an incredible dinner to 60 guests and go chestnut hunting in search of the true taste and smell of Christmas.

At Château de la Boutinière, Alison and Zion desperately try to renovate an ensuite bedroom, while at Château de Lalande, Stephanie bake Christmas wellington for 15.

At Chateau de la Boutiniere, Alison and Zion are hoping to complete an ensuite before Christmas and in the Pyrenees, Trish prepares for her first culinary workshop with a Michelin-starred chef. Jon and Carmen hold a festive medieval banquet.

Sarah and George host a festive day of fun at Chateau De Brives and Chris and Jolyon have problems completing their pond when a van gets stuck in their garden. Belinda and Lee host their annual festive fundraiser for a local cat charity at Chateau Mareuil.

In the Dordogne, at Château Domaine De La Barde, Tim and Krys spread festive joy by hosting a gingerbread chateau competition. In Normandy, there's no room at the inn for Auntie Paula at Château de Lalacelle, so in the spirt of Christmas, Terry and Ashley transform a stable block into her new home. Meanwhile, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine at La Grande Maison La Pinelle, Bart and Sarah are going crackers as they want to hold a Christmas extravaganza for 60 guests in their barn. 

At the picturesque Château de la Fare, Janet and Philip have noticed that their hallway is looking tired, so decide to re-deck the halls before family arrive. Further north in the Charente-Maritime, there's a Christmas miracle as Bart and Sarah hold their big extravaganza.

Alison and Zion are transforming Château de la Boutinière into a giant advent calendar. Over at Chateau de Cézérac, Jon and Carmen work against the clock to finish a bedroom before Santa arrives. And at Château Chomet, Debbie and Dave throw their first ever Christmas bash; what could possibly go wrong? Expect sawdust, sequins and seasonal chaos in this merry mix of DIY and château cheer! 

From sprucing up the salóns to decking the hallways, discover what it takes to renovate beautiful chateaux at Christmas in France. It's beginning to look a lot like... festive mayhem! At Château de Cézérac, Jon and Carmen are dashing through their DIY list to get a bedroom guest-ready before a Christmas bash. Over at Château de la Fare, Janet and Philip's carol concert might be more 'Silent Night' if the chimney doesn't let the smoke or Santa through. And at Château de la Grillère, Tim and Sharon are dreaming of a very tall Christmas... but their twelve-metre tree and three-metre ceilings aren't exactly a match made in tinsel. It's sleigh bells, sparkle and a touch of seasonal silliness at our châteaux!

In the Dordogne at Château Domaine de le Barde, Tim and Krys are turning their stairs into a medieval Christmas wonder. In Languedoc at Château du Puits es Pratx, Lily and Luke are cracking on with a sparkling end-of-year celebration full of surprises. And at Château Lagorce, Anna and Edward are roasting not one, not two, but three Christmas birds for an irresistible festive feast. 

In the Dordogne at Château des Vieilles Vignes, Nick and Nicole are in a festive frenzy, racing to finish their grand dining room before guests arrive for a glittering Christmas celebration. Over at Château de Pican, Jane and Rory are busy making room in the stables for a very special new arrival. And in the heart of France at Château de Lalande, Stephanie is determined to unveil her beautifully restored chapel before Christmas, while Ashley and Terry treat their nephew Jonathan to a chocolate-filled festive adventure. 

In the heart of France at Château de Lalande, it's opening day for Stephanie and her beautifully restored chapel, but with rain pouring down, she'll need a Christmas miracle to keep spirits high. Over in the Loire Valley, Ben and Billie are serving up a Christmas Eve fish feast with plenty of festive sparkle at Château La Grande Maison. And in Brittany at Moulin du Couesnon, Donna and Paul are lighting up their grand old property and spreading Christmas cheer with hard hats, fairy lights and all!