Escape to the Chateau

I absolutely love this programme, not just for the inspiration it gives me while suffering with severe depression which drains the life out of me, but also for the banter, love, frivolity, passion and laughs that the family has. I think its just wonderful to see as they carry on fulfilling their dream in France. I would recommend this programme to everyone who loves some lighthearted relief :)

One of the best series I've seen this year. I quite enjoyed every episode of the too short seasons. Harmless enough entertainment. Wish the production company wouldn't have those 'coming up' spoilers shown throughout the show. A common trait now on most modern reality shows that takes away the surprise element.

Good to see some people enjoying their lives through the effort of hard work, creativity and that 'get up and go' that some viewers wish they had more of. My get up and go has got up and gone ages ago. Wish it would come back. Thing is when you've not got the most enjoyable life in the world it can pick you up to see others enjoying theirs. That's what you can get from this show.

Edit: Update. Just seen Series 5, more episodes per season, great. I enjoyed this one a bit more with the better format of no 'coming ups' during the show other than the acceptable first minute recap and the last minute what's on next week. More suspense and surprise, it made the show flow a whole lot better, worth another 1/2 a star, so now its 9.5 stars. You just can't get enough of the Strawbridge family can you.

Such a great, sweet programme. Easy watching and full of surprises.

This couple are so creative, so unafraid of the unknown. They make it seem as though anything is possible. It leaves me with such a sense of accomplishment! Whether they are renovating the chateau or hacking/engineering a new heating system, smoker, wedding invitation or urinal, I can't wait for the next episode, and the next, and the next...

Where I live, Season 2 has just come on air, and we're part way through it. The family, the kids, the in-laws, the vendors, the chateau itself ... all most endearing, and fun to watch how they think something is done and then three more crop up. I loved watching them explore the moat.

But as other reviewers also mentioned, this whole premise that they "have no money" and are "saving money by doing everything themselves" (which may be partly true) is wearing thin when each programme also stresses how expensive the materials are. Not to mention how much the contractors and builders must cost -- even if they are relatives.

Yes, I look forward to see how they turn this into a fabulous money-spinner, but at least at this point in the series they are definitely not doing it without help that never gets acknowledged.