Catherine Roger unveils Christmas transformation at historic Chateau Marcellus in France

"Yes; I'll give you some examples. In the 19th century, diplomat Lodoïs de Marcellus helped bring the Venus de Milo statue from Greece to France, and proudly displayed a cast of it here. He had a talent for making his surroundings impressive."

"But his wife's taste was quite different. She liked the style of her native Burgundy, and convinced him to add some nice local touches to remind her of home, like our unusual stables."

As for the last Marcellusc hatelaine, Roseline, she made a remarkable gesture. She invited 500 descendants of the dynasty to a huge reception in the courtyard and presented each of them with a piece from a silver dinner service engraved with the family crest. 

"That service was made before the French Revolution, and throughout those turbulent years, it had been kept hidden deep in the well, the secret of its whereabouts passed on only by word of mouth. So it was a true symbol of resilience."

"And I'll never forget going into the library and finding an ancient globe marked with the many journeys made by previous residents–a map of their adventures."

"I found some old documents in the basement and it felt as if the chateau itself was whispering its secrets to me. There were letters sealed by 18th-century kings and wartime correspondence between relatives sharing their hopes, fears and joys."

"The restoration is a vocation. It carries an enormous weight of responsibility, but it’s inspiring because you know that you are working on something timeless, something that will outlive us all."

"There's history in every brick and every balustrade here. But we have to keep up with the times, not simply act as guardians of the past."

"The trick is to modernise without losing the depth and authenticity of the place. It’s like wearing a vintage dress; you add a contemporary touch so that it feels alive."

"The music room – one of the most historic parts of the house. After we’d finished our renovation work and were able to throw open the doors to guests once more, it felt symbolic, as if the soul of the chateau stirred."

"Every element and every decoration has to serve a dual purpose: it must be striking, but it must also be functional."

"For example, an antique rug can be both lovely to look at and cosy to walk on. Grandeur without warmth? That’s just a museum. Comfort without beauty? That’s just another house."

"I do. It all starts with an ambience and inspiration I found comes from the strangest places; an old book, a scent on the breeze or even the way the light falls."

"Wherever the spark comes from, when it comes, it’s showtime. I launch myself into the details of colour, texture, lighting, everything that will make the event feel unique."

"Thank you. My aim is for guests to feel that they’ve been part of something extraordinary, entering into a different time and place."

"It's a turning point in the year, a chance to reflect on what is behind me and dream of what lies ahead. I’ll go to a Christmas service, play the piano and sing carols."

"Christmas dinner in France is a ritual, not just a meal. We start with oysters, move on to capon with chestnuts and finish with the classic yule log."

"Of course I have Russian traditions, too, like making the fish salad ‘herring under a fur coat’ – a childhood staple. And my absolute favourite dish is lamb with redcurrant sauce, something that never goes out of style. I love to cook, layering flavours and textures to take people on an emotional journey.”

"My mornings always begin with a walk in the grounds. The dogs run around, the birds sing and, coffee in hand, I watch the light change across the landscape. In winter, I light the fire and sit by the fireplace, maybe with a book, maybe just watching the flames.

"Those moments are when I centre myself, when I find my balance and clarity."

"The future here is growth, pure and simple. We’re not just preserving history; we’re creating a centre for culture and creativity that links the generations. I’m working to build a place for art, music, gastronomy and more."

"I want to extend the grounds and build a village of artisans, with wine cellars and craft shops, a place where the past meets the present. It sounds like a challenge doesn’t it? But every great idea starts with a spark. And my spark is Château Marcellus."