CATHERINE ROGER, CHATELAINE OF CHATEAU MARCELLUS A LABOUR OF LOVE CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN THE HISTORIC MANSION NEAR BORDEAUX AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE RENOVATION

At Château Marcellus near Bordeaux, Christmas is celebrated in style, the elegant rooms filled with light, music and feasting. Behind every detail is châtelaine Catherine Roger, who finds the season truly inspiring.

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"For me, the real magic is that this is when I feel most connected to my home, its history and those who went before," she says.

Russian-born Catherine and her late, much-missed husband Samuel took over from the Marcellus family, who had lived in the chateau ever since it was built in the late 18th century.

The couple fell in love with its neoclassical architecture and amazing antiques, but what they valued most were the stories its previous owners shared. "Vivid memories passed down from generation to generation mean this place is not just a building-it is alive, it has a soul," Catherine says.

Joining her to make new memories this Christmas are a glamorous trio: Gulzada Tazhikhanova, a specialist in table decoration, stylist Laura | Issayeva and Marianna Kizina, founder of fashion brand UDPS. Surrounded by her friends and with her beloved chateau looking its dazzling best,

Catherine told us of her plans to make its future bright. Catherine, you're the latest in a long line of women who have made their mark on this place...

"Yes; I'll give you some examples. In the 19th century, diplomat Lodois de Marcellus helped bring the Venus de Milo statue from Greece to France, and proudly displayed a cast of it here. He had a talent for making his surroundings impressive.

"But his wife's taste was quite different. She liked the style of her native Burgundy, and convinced him to add some nice local touches to remind her of home, like our unusual stables.