Château de Chaumont was a sanctuary for young Jews fleeing the Nazis. Now a British contractor is restoring the French mansion, and documenting his renovations online.
www.tabletmag.com
Below are all the excerpted portions of the above June 15, 2023 Tablet magazine (American Jewish online magazine) article containing info about or from Dan:
“The estate fell into disrepair after a fire ravaged the building in the mid-1980s. It sat in shambles until it was sold in 2022 to a British ex-pat named Daniel Preston, a trained chef. For his YouTube channel, “Escape to Rural France,” in which he also renovates a stone farmhouse, Preston filmed a visit to Chaumont in 2021. The self-taught builder has since posted more than 100 videos revealing the painstaking removal of Chaumont’s debris, trees, bees, and bathroom fixtures dangerously perched at perilous heights.”
“Since 2021, Preston’s channel has captured upwards of 34 million views. Rebuilding floors, laying bricks, and solving structural dilemmas have attracted more than 850 Patreon subscribers seeking additional content. Tree surgeons and friends from another channel, “The Château Diaries,” where Preston appeared as a gardener, make cameos. With YouTube ad revenues and “cups of coffee” tips, total monthly income exceeds $8,000.”
“I really wasn’t expecting it to go that far,” said Preston, 33, who also posts on Instagram
“Currently, English TV is profiling Preston’s renovation for a future broadcast. With such a large building, his goal is to remain off-grid to reduce costs. An on-site well yields water and a sponsor provided solar panels, but 40 windows, staircases, wiring, and plumbing require reinstallation, not to mention a roof and turret. Preston expects it may take five years to complete 90% of the work. “I don’t think it will ever be done,” he added.”
“Preston hopes to bring kids back, too. Chaumont hosted a summer camp for disadvantaged children in the 1950s and ’60s. “With all the support we have online, we could support some kind of an academy—for kids who can come for the summer and learn skills,” Preston said.”
“Renovating by day and editing at a nearby Airbnb by night, Preston’s sign-off is a signature YouTube move, a cheeky high-five over the lens. The father of two young boys, he recently separated from their mother, his partner of 14 years, making the project “deeply personal,” Preston said. “I am rescuing the building, but the building is also rescuing me. If I don’t do a video one day, I feel so lost. It’s like keeping a diary but instead of writing down what you do every day … you go back and see the day in the best possible light.”
“Cinematic shots flaunt sweeping aerial views and close-ups of the majestic scenery, the ruin itself, and the machinery reviving it. Thick woods surround the château with a verdant cloak, fitting the metaphor of a storybook legend returning to life. “It really struck me as soon as I saw it,” said Preston, who dates the château to 1886. “It was just magical.”
Interesting takeaways from the article:
Preston expects it may take five years to complete 90% of the work. “I don’t think it will ever be done,” he added.”
The building was rescuing him? No mention of Kat? Hmmmmmmmm……
When was the last time he worked on the farmhouse?
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Dan’s Patreon page as of today, 1,098 members18 posts, $9,200/month
I don’t know what he has been making monthly on average on go buy me a coffee.
Creating YouTube vlogs on French chateau renovation
www.patreon.com
Here is the grapheon info on his Patreon:
Escape to rural France
Last 30 days
Video Rank
535th +5
Patreon Rank
1,931st -29
Patrons
1,097 +24
Earnings per month
$9,196 +$33
Per Patron
$8.38
Launched
Mar 27, 2023
EscapetoruralFrance930 Patreon earnings, statistics, graphs, and popularity rank updated daily
graphtreon.com
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Here is Stephanie Jarvis Grapheon info
Stephanie Jarvis
Last 30 days
Video Rank
122nd -12
Patreon Rank
467th -99
Patrons
3,797 -48
Earnings per month
$32,308 -$198
Per Patron
$8.51
Launched
Feb 9, 2020
thechateaudiaries Patreon earnings, statistics, graphs, and popularity rank updated daily
graphtreon.com
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What is Escape to rural France's ranking?
Escape to rural France is ranked 535th among Patreon Video
Escape to rural France is ranked 1,931st among all Patreon creators
Compare to F4F:
What is Stephanie Jarvis's ranking?
Stephanie Jarvis is ranked 122nd among Patreon Video
Stephanie Jarvis is ranked 467th among all Patreon creators
Dan’s buy me a coffee
Hi, I’m Dan, from the YouTube channel Escape to rural france. I’m currently filming daily vlogs about French renovation projects I’m working on. If you’re enjoying watching me lay bricks, mix concrete
www.buymeacoffee.com