When I first set my sights on buying a property in the south of France, I wasn’t looking for a major renovation project. I wanted an investment property—something that would work well as a vacation rental but also serve as a personal retreat. What I found in Carcassonne was a tiny 15-square-meter studio in terrible condition—but it had one major selling point: a 200-square-meter garden in the middle of town.
It was a big risk, but I saw the potential. Here’s how I transformed it into a charming, comfortable, and historic oasis for Airbnb guests.
Finding the Right Property: What Drew Me to Carcassonne
Carcassonne wasn’t originally on my radar, but I was looking for a place with good transport links since I didn’t drive at the time. When I saw that Carcassonne had direct flights to London, it became a serious contender.
The property itself was incredibly affordable compared to London prices—about ten times cheaper! And being in a touristic area made it a strong contender for Airbnb.
Of course, the main reason I decided to visit? That garden. The contrast of a huge green space in a town center felt like a rare gem. I had to see it for myself.
The Condition of the Property: A Complete Overhaul Needed
To put it simply, the property was in a dire state when I bought it:
- The kitchen was practically non-existent—just a tiny space in terrible condition.
- The bathroom had no shower—just a sink and a toilet. Strangely, there was a shower installed in the dark corridor leading to the apartment.
- There was no separate bedroom, so I had to rethink the entire layout.
- The garden was abandoned, overgrown, and completely neglected.
Despite all these issues, I knew the natural beauty and character of the space could be restored.
The Renovation: Reimagining the Space
1. Redesigning the Layout
Since the original layout made little sense, I had to rethink the entire structure of the apartment:
- The corridor where the shower once was became a proper kitchen.
- I created a bedroom area by sectioning off a part of the main living space.
- I installed a real bathroom with a proper shower, completely separate from the living areas.
2. Preserving the Historic Charm
The apartment had some incredible historical features, and I was determined to keep as much of its character as possible:
- The high ceilings—though I had to lower them by 10 cm to install electrical wiring, I kept them as high as possible to maintain the original charm.
- The huge windows—I replaced them to match the originals but with double glazing for modern comfort.
- The garden—left as natural as possible, with only necessary clean-up and some new plants.
- An old mysterious key that came with the property—I never found what it belonged to, so I framed it and turned it into decor in the kitchen!
3. The Garden: Bringing an Oasis Back to Life
The garden was completely overgrown when I purchased the property. It needed significant pruning and restoration.
Now, it’s one of the most-loved features of the Airbnb, offering guests a peaceful retreat in the middle of the town. Some plants that had been dormant in the first year have started to blossom beautifully, revealing surprises every season.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Unexpected Hurdles
- The seller of the apartment turned out to be unreliable, even failing to show up for the official sale signing, which delayed the process.
- I originally planned to have a swimming pool but after testing an inflatable version, I realized it was too much hassle to maintain, so I scrapped the idea.
Balancing Modern Comfort with History
While I wanted to maintain the historic feel of the space, I also needed to make sure it was comfortable and functional for modern travelers. The new kitchen, bathroom, and insulation transformed the space into something both practical and charming.
Design and DIY
Initially, I thought I would do some of the DIY work myself—I even painted the walls. But I quickly realized that I wasn’t great at DIY, and after experiencing terrible back pain from sanding the floors, I decided to leave the bigger tasks to the professionals.
Now, with my upcoming properties, I’m not doing anything myself—I prefer to delegate to the experts and avoid the stress.
The Final Result: An Oasis in the City
I named the Airbnb “An Oasis in the Heart of Carcassonne” because that’s exactly how it feels. Many guests have told me they were completely surprised when they stepped inside, expecting a standard city apartment and instead discovering a lush, private garden retreat.
The property now attracts couples, families with small children, and pet owners, who all love the cozy feel and the outdoor space.
Would I Do It Again? Absolutely!
This renovation wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I learned: ✅ Always check local Airbnb regulations before buying. ✅ Renovations always cost more than expected—budget for it. ✅ If DIY isn’t your strength, hire professionals to avoid stress. ✅ Guest experience matters most—design with their comfort in mind.
If you’re thinking about restoring an old property for Airbnb, go for it! Just be prepared for surprises along the way. But when you finally see your guests enjoying the space you’ve created, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.
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