In June 2017, we purchased a house for Martine in the small village of Ormes on the Saône River near Tournus, in the Department of Saône-et-Loire in the Bourgogne region of France, two hours from Geneva, so she could be closer to our grandchildren. The house dates from the late 18th century, starting as a way station on the post road, and was renovated some 40 years ago, but then left vacant for several years. It had major structural problems, and it has taken a lot of work to make it habitable and more energy efficient. In one room in the newer (left-hand) part of the house, we found the year 1833 written in the plaster.

There is not much in the village of Ormes except for the church just across the street, but there is a larger village with stores 2 kilometers away, and the town of Tournus is a short drive down the river and across a bridge. It is a short walk from the house down to the riverside, but it is above the floodplain.

The real attraction is its park of 1.5 hectares, with many old trees, a spring-fed pond, meadows, and what was once beautiful landscaping. From some places, there is a view down to the river. With the house unoccupied for several years, everything was overgrown, and it has taking some effort to bring the garden back to its former glory. The pond has been completely renovated, and we even discovered a second pool that is probably not worth restoring.

The garden in July 2019

By mid-2019, the pond had been restored and the garden improved, as well as further renovations in the attic.

. .
The garden and pond in July 2019

.
Sunset behind the garden

The garden in mid-winter 2019

By the beginning of January 2019, the pond had been largely rebuilt but was not yet completely full. All the bamboo below the pond was removed, and some new fruit trees planted. See pictures of our walk down to the river on the family page.

. .
View from the house towards the river; the pond from the house; new fruit trees

A panel on the walkway down to the river explains the nature of the area

. .
The rebuilt pond not yet completely full

.
The house from the pond; bamboo removed below the pond

. .
Along the Saône River; the closest neighbours

Panel on nature restoration along the river

Improvements in the garden by September 2018

. .
Entrance; house from the garden

. .
House from the road; road in front of house; church from the front yard

. .
House and garage/storage shed

. .
Renovated garden with trampoline for the children

. .
View of river from the garden; garden; newly discovered wading pool

House and garden in March 2018

. .
House after major renovations and some new windows

. . 
Garden side; main entrance on street side; main gate and church across the street

. .
Park behind the house looking towards the river, with a pond below the house

. .
Pond partly restored

. .
Pond; large tree beyond the pond

.
Views from the house

The Saône River is a short walk down from the house, which is fortunately above the flood plain

Already by July 2017, Martine was transforming the garden

. .
Clearing the garden and removing some trees; Martine in the garden

. .
Martine and house under renovation

House and garden as they were in May 2017 when the house was purchased