The Bucket List Item You Never Knew You Had

There are some places in life you know you have to visit. The Eiffel Tower. The Big Five in the Kruger. Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Rapa Nui Easter Island. Beirut. Ethiopia. Alaska. These have been some of Carel’s over the years, And then there are places you never knew should be on your bucket list — until you get there.

For many, including our Carel Nolte, this past season, that place has been Château de Montflour in the French countryside.

A Promise Kept

The château belongs to Christo Lindeque and a group of investors. It was his and his wife Elbe’s dream project. When Elbe — my dear friend — passed away, Rikus and I made a promise: we’d help Christo keep that dream alive. I reflected more on that in this piece last year: Château de Montflour.

This year, with Christo, his partner Cristina, and the superb on-the-ground team of Nico, Jane and Vee, we breathed even more life into Montflour. We wanted to bring vibrancy, authenticity and joy to the château, to expose it not only to South Africans but to people across the world.

A Soft Launch with Soul

This (European) summer marked the soft launch of Montflour as a destination. Guests ranged from my bridge mates (thanks for testing everything out and giving feedback — and for the laughs, which Colin wrote about here: A Bridge Too Far? Never) to celebrities, journalists, and paying guests.

Among them were:

• Designer Gert-Johan Coetzee and his fabulous partner Vicky, who brought style and sparkle to the château.
• Brent Lindeque, whose energy is as big as his heart.
• Sarah Buitendach from Currency News, who captured the magic in her article.
• Andrew Thompson from News24, Andrea Nothangel from Sunday Times, Nadia Nakai, who lit up every room she entered, Lourens and Este from Raaf, bringing their creative flair, joie de vivre, wine drinking and musical talents, Johannes Bertus de Villiers, always thoughtful and entertaining and amazing Relebogile Mabotja (check out their socials and publications for all the Montflour coverage – there was a lot!)

Each of our guests brought something unique, helping to shape Montflour’s opening chapter.

One of the visitors, Rikus’ childhood friend Ben (an insurance man like me — so naturally I rate him highly), summed it up perfectly: “The French countryside is the bucket list item you didn’t know you had.”

The Allure of the Countryside

The French countryside is breathtaking. Rolling landscapes. Fresh produce. Markets that burst with colour and flavour. Roads so narrow you learn to drive like the French — fast, mirrors tucked in, and nerves of steel.

Life is slower here, but fuller. Meals last longer. Conversations linger. And of course, the rosé flows — crisp, pale, and perfectly suited to the long evenings where the sun sets well after 10pm.

Though I’m a big-city person at heart, I’ve come to love this part of France. The stillness gives space to think, plan, and just be. What makes it even more special is the network of South African friends who have made this region their (summer) home. It’s a reminder that community transcends geography.

Bees and Legacy

Montflour and the area surrounding it is alive with bees. They buzz in and out of the gardens, each seemingly busy with its own task, but all working towards something greater. That, to me, is the essence of this project.

We are together, but alone. Each of us — Christo, Cristina, Nico, Jane, Vee, Rikus, myself, the investors, the guests — played a role. Different tasks, different moments, sometimes even different visions. But in the end, like bees, our work weaves together into something richer and more lasting.

Elbe’s story is part of that weave. Her dream is being carried forward by others, each thread adding depth and strength. We all die, and when we do, others pick up our stories, stitch them into their own, and pass them on. That’s how legacy works.

Book Your Own Bucket List Experience

Congratulations to Christo and the Montflour team — and thank you for letting us be part of it. Some days were stressful as I balanced EasyEquities work with hosting and PR, but every day was an adventure. I learned, I grew, and I’m deeply grateful.

And now, the invitation is open to you. Bookings for the next season are already underway. Follow Château de Montflour on their socials to stay updated, or better yet, secure your spot now for a bucket list experience you didn’t even know you needed.

If you’d like help curating your travel to Montflour (or elsewhere) — or sharing your own story once you’ve been — speak to us at CN&CO Travel and PR.

Because some bucket list items aren’t just about ticking off what you expect. They’re about discovering something you never knew you needed.