A 72-year-old who lost savings he had set aside to build a house in a property scam has told of his delight when friends and strangers came together to build a home for him after hearing his story.
Bernard Martin-Mourey, a retired art historian originally from south-east France, moved to Chalais (Dordogne) after retiring.
He had planned to build a small house that would allow for a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
In 2021, with another couple, he bought four hectares of land with a small lake. They split it into two plots, and Mr Martin-Mourey moved on to one half with a caravan.
The wooden slatted house is almost completedCarrie Hill
A firm in Angoulême was hired to design and build a small timber-framed house, and he paid €37,000 towards the cost of the project.
However, after a year-and-a-half of delays, he found he had fallen prey to a scam and, along with the firm’s other ‘customers’, would never receive anything for the money he had paid.
Last April, he shared the bad news on social media in the hope that it would warn others to be more careful.
The post was read by three of his friends, who jumped into action to help.
In just two days, they created the association Ensemble, une maison pour Bernard (Together, a house for Bernard) with the aim of building him a house themselves.
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They began raising funds for building materials and started construction plans. As word of the project spread, a whole team gradually formed, comprising members aged 26 to 73 and offering skills in carpentry, electrics, communications and logistics.
Online meetings kept everyone in touch, and Mr Martin-Mourey invited them all to Chalais last June to meet in person and celebrate his birthday.
Construction began in earnest in August, with 17 people working in teams. “It was a really fantastic time,” said Mr Martin-Mourey.
“We set up a boules court and ate together. It was good fun and a great atmosphere.” By December, he was finally able to move in and enjoy Christmas and New Year in the comfort of his new home.
“I cried that first night. It was difficult to comprehend how much I had been given,” he said.
He now plans to return the kindness, sharing his knowledge of self-sufficient living, as well as lending the house to those who have helped him.
He has already planted more than 800 trees and shrubs and is also growing a forest on the land around the lake for future generations to enjoy.
“In the end, the company that scammed me has given me a gift,” he said. “The association that built my house is like family to me now.”
Ensemble, une maison pour Bernard still needs to raise more money to finish the project, including fitting a kitchen and hot water system, and work will continue in the spring.
A house-warming weekend is planned for May, when it is hoped the property will be finished.
You can follow the project on the association's YouTube channel and Facebookpage.
