New HGTV Show Castle Impossible to Renovate Historic French Chateau

PARIS, France — HGTV is set to launch its latest series, “Castle Impossible,” which follows high school sweethearts Daphne Reckert and Ian Figueira as they attempt to renovate a 500-year-old chateau just outside of Paris. The show premieres on Tuesday, April 29, at 9 p.m. ET.

The couple is making a dramatic lifestyle change after Reckert inherited her late grandfather’s sprawling 130-acre estate. “Our lives changed forever when I inherited my grandfather’s 500-year-old chateau in France,” Reckert said. “If we don’t keep up the renovations, the chateau will become a ruin.”

Once hosting royalty like King Louis XIII, the chateau now primarily serves as an event space, hosting weddings on its main floor. However, the couple will tackle the dilapidated remaining floors and buildings on the estate. “We don’t exactly have a financial safety net,” Figueira added, underscoring the challenges ahead.

With backgrounds in carpentry, conservation, and landscaping, as well as family members experienced in construction, Reckert and Figueira are prepared to face various hurdles. According to the show’s description, the couple will encounter tight budgets, bug infestations, and perhaps even hidden treasures as they renovate the property.

The premiere episode will showcase the transformation of the chateau’s historic bell tower into a stunning bedroom suite. Fans of renovation shows can expect thrilling challenges and a glimpse into the couple’s dedication to preserving history through their work.