This spring, I made my childhood princess fantasy a reality at Château de L'Isle Marie, a 12th-century castle tucked away in the heart of Normandy. But this wasn't just a vacation, it was a coworking experience with Château Coliving, where remote work meets royal living.
I joined a two-week coworking camp with 12 other inspiring women, all of whom were freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads. We worked hard by day (yes, a castle with fast Wi-Fi!), and connected over shared meals, workshops, crafting, and wine-fueled board games in front of the fireplace by night.
I started my trip with a few days in Paris then took the three-hour train to Carentan, where a friendly face from the Château picked me up.
Seeing the castle in person was even more magnificent than what I had imagined.
Think: turrets with narrow windows overlooking the entrance and a secret passage from the living room that led to a stone basement with a time-delay light switch (that gave a split second of haunted vibes). A fully equipped kitchen offers views of the forested grounds.
The heart of the castle is the living room with crown-molded ceilings, a mix of antique and modern furniture, and original portraits of nobility adorning the pastel yellow and blue walls—ancestors of the current owner and guests who visited the castle over the centuries. Their painted eyes seemed to flicker in the glow of the fireplace as we gathered for tea, masterminds, or movie nights. It felt somewhere between Harry Potter and French aristocracy with an entrepreneurial twist.
Walking through the castle felt like a treasure map, full of unexpected details and surprises at every corner. There's a grand dining room, cozy coffee kitchen, workout room, and private nooks, perfect for reading, working, or daydreaming.
There are 13 bedrooms in the main château and three apartments in the adjacent manor, as well as a coworking space. My room on the second floor overlooked the lush, misty lawn where deer casually roamed each morning. Grocery runs happened twice a week, and meals were a mix of communal cooking and DIY dinners.
But what made this experience magical was the community. Château Coliving curates themed coliving months for remote workers and creatives, ranging from writer's retreats to French immersion, company offsites, and more.
And the story behind this place is just as magical.
Founded by Katia and Emmanuel, a husband and wife duo, Château de L'Isle Marie has been in Emmanuel's family for over 800 years, surviving invasions, occupations, and historical upheaval. When Emmanuel's bohemian father, the oldest son and natural heir, was stripped of the castle's inheritance, the responsibility landed on his brother—a monk with no heirs. The uncle offered it to Emmanuel, who in his early 30s, was living a minimalist, digital nomad lifestyle with Katia.
Taking on a centuries-old castle (and a 65% inheritance tax) was a radical change from their values and lifestyle and came with a major financial risk.
But after an impactful coliving experience in Tenerife, Spain during the pandemic, they realized the power of intentional community. Inspired by their experience they said yes to the castle and poured years into reviving this abandoned piece of history—first as a bed & breakfast and now a coliving space, where history meets modern connection.
Beyond the castle walls, Normandy offers plenty to explore: Omaha Beach, medieval villages, seaside hikes, and WWII museums. The region's history and natural beauty only adds to the magic of the stay.
Just like that, my two weeks were over. I packed up my bags and said my goodbyes. With one last look at Château de L'Isle Marie, we drove away.
As it turns out, castles aren't just for fairy tales and playing pretend. They can be for real people chasing big ideas, late night laughs with new friends, and making memories that carry long after the fire goes out.
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