14
The Pool at Château Destinée
From the very beginning, we knew the pool would be one of the most important projects in our first year at Château Destinée. It felt essential - not simply as a beautiful feature in the garden, but as a place where guests could truly relax, cool off, and enjoy long summer days by the river.
Of course, building a pool is no small undertaking. It is a major investment, and there are so many decisions to make, especially the kind that cannot simply be painted over or easily changed later. Looking back now, the pool has had its own journey, evolving in phases over the years.
Phase 1
The first step was, of course, to build the pool itself, along with the technical room needed for the pump and electrics. At the time, we had hoped to have both the pool and five bedrooms ready to open in July 2020. Then COVID arrived, and like so many building projects that year, ours was affected too. Concrete supplies became a challenge, and everything suddenly felt much less predictable.
Thankfully, our supplier did an amazing job, and by 1 August 2020 we had a fully functioning pool. It was a huge milestone and such a relief. At that stage, though, the surrounding area was still very much a work in progress. The technical room still needed painting, the deck was very small, and we were still missing the hard cover.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Click or tap a photo to see it larger.
Phase 2
In 2021, the next stage was completed with the installation of the hard cover. This made a real difference, as it meant we could close the pool securely without relying on the alarms we had been setting up each evening. The deck was also extended on the right-hand side by 2.5 metres, giving the whole area a more generous and practical feel.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
Phase 3
The following phase brought even more improvement. The deck was extended on the left-hand side by a further 2 metres, and we invested in new pool furniture after having managed until then with second-hand and gifted pieces. What a difference that made. Suddenly the space felt complete: a larger deck, matching furniture, a painted pool house providing welcome shade, and new umbrellas to finish it all off.
By this point, the pool had become one of the most loved and well-used features in the garden, and it was already clear that it had been worth every penny.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |
Phase 4
By 2026, it was time to give the pool some well-deserved care and attention. It is hard to believe how quickly time passes - suddenly we were looking at a pool that had already been part of Château Destinée for six years. The original liner had served us well, but as it was not a commercial-grade liner, it had gradually lost its bounce and the colour was beginning to fade.
Once we made the decision to strip the pool right back, it felt like the perfect opportunity to do a little more than simple maintenance. Over the years, we had noticed just how much guests loved using the long step as a place to sit, chat, and cool off, and how especially useful it was for young children enjoying the water safely. So, alongside the new liner, we chose to extend the seating bench by a further 2 metres.
This year also brings new pool furniture, with more sun beds so that everyone can find their own perfect spot to relax, whether in the sun or close to the shade.
With a brand-new liner, a larger seating area, and additional sun beds, the pool is ready once again to welcome guests for the 2026 summer season - refreshed, improved, and still very much at the heart of summer days in the garden.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| | |