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Former MP Tim Holding weds his long-time partner in stunning ceremony at their multimillion-dollar French chateau – after asking for donations to restore the property

BBG News

I, overjoyed beyond words, have just tied the knot with my beloved Felicity Selkirk in a breathtaking ceremony held at our magnificent French chateau.

On June 21st, the ex-MP, who previously served as a Labor minister under the Steve Bracks and John Brumby administrations in Victoria, got married to his partner at their grand Château de Purnon.

In the elegant Louis XVI-style chateau they purchased for $1.19 million in 2020 and have been renovating since, the couple exchanged their wedding vows. The chateau, which is 237 years old, served as the beautiful backdrop for their special day.

Nestled close to the quaint French hamlet of Verrue, home to approximately 400 inhabitants, lies a majestic castle boasting 105 rooms, situated around a three-and-a-half-hour journey beyond Paris.

Felicity posted some insightful snippets about her intimate wedding and the beautiful DIY French-themed project on Instagram.

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In the beautiful chapel of Purnon, amidst loved ones, she documented their next adventure as a couple, alongside picturesque snapshots from their wedding ceremony.

In her promises, Felicity enthusiastically shared about the 15 years she’s spent with Tim, expressing that she finds the most joy in being with her current spouse.

For the past fifteen years, you’ve stood faithfully beside me, providing my peace, my happiness, my source of pride. Together we’ve traversed the globe, an adventurous duo. I’ve scaled countless mountains in pursuit of you, she expressed.

This is where I find the most joy, when we’re together, embarking on this adventurous journey side by side. Today, I vow to give you my entire heart; it’s been yours since the very beginning.

A fresh Instagram post by Felicity revealed another clip of the pair preparing their wedding venue – the chapel – by tidying up and making repairs prior to the event.

Last year, I embarked upon an incredible restoration journey hand-in-hand with my partner, transforming a cherished site into a work of art. If you’re inspired by our labor of love, I invite you to join us in supporting this project by making a donation in 2023.

Besides the primary structure resembling an 18th-century Louis XVI chateau, the property also includes two major constructions, a desiccated moat, several cottages, stables, a wine storage area, a chapel, a bakery, and an orangery.

Apart from the main 18th-century building in the style of Louis XVI, there are two significant structures, a dried-up moat, houses, stables, a wine cellar, a chapel, a bakery, and a greenhouse on the property.

Tim was a Victorian MP from 1999 to 2013, and a year after he resigned, he set off for France.

They’ve frequently been recording their advancements on the chateau, and Tim made a trip back to Melbourne for the inauguration of Les Amis de Purnon (Friends of Purnon), a charitable organization established to aid in the renovation of Château de Purnon.

At the time, tickets were reported to have cost $150 a head. 

Yoni Bashan, editor of The Australian’s Margin Call section, criticized the fundraising effort, calling it a “personal enrichment endeavor disguised as a vanity project.”

The fundraising effort drew criticism from Yoni Bashan, editor of The Australian’s Margin Call section, who described it as a “project designed to benefit the individual and inflate their ego rather than truly restore something.

‘Already paying for this individual to entertain them in the French countryside, now astonishingly, he is requesting the audience themselves to assist with the costs. This is simply unbelievable!’ says the article, written as a reaction to an article from The Herald Sun.

Additionally, it was mentioned that upon leaving parliament, Tim could expect a retirement pension worth approximately $150,000. Notably, his partner hails from the wealthy Selkirk Bricks business dynasty.

In the year 2019, the couple discovered the chateau for the first time, and presently, they reside in a modest section of the estate which includes central heating and a bathroom facility.

The duo considered fifteen different castles prior to selecting Purnon, a property that’s referred to as critically endangered on its donation site.

For over a hundred years, the castle’s slate roof has fallen into disuse, posing a risk to the preservation of both the upper-floor structures within the building itself, as well as the lower floors. This was indicated on the website.

‘An often overlooked gem, the castle needs immediate and vigorous efforts to prevent its deterioration and maintain its original charm.’

Tim and Felicity are eagerly anticipating that the castle might be suitable for hosting weddings, exhibits, concerts, and guided tours after the renovations have been finished.

The castle along with certain areas nearby have been designated as Historical Landmarks, which implies that the French government must give consent for any projects or modifications taking place.

The duo, together with their pet project, have graced various TV shows and publications like Good Weekend during the course of its renovation.

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2025-07-07 04:48

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