“His bust sits in the garden”: 10 years after the death of Jean-Pierre Coffe, his companion transformed their house in Eure-et-Loir into a gîte

If the mention of Jean-Pierre Coffe brings back memories of thunderous columns against junk food, few French people know of the passion, just as committed, that the television man had for botany. Because it was in his house in Saint-Denis-Lanneray (Eure-et-Loir), in the heart of a two-hectare garden where he loved to walk, glass of white wine in hand, that Jean-Pierre Coffe was apparently happiest.

Christophe Dolbeau, her last love present on the day of her sudden disappearance, March 29, 2016, revives her memory by taking care of the property. “Jean-Pierre arrived at this old farm in 1984. It had been unoccupied since 1876 and had no electricity, toilets… He completely renovated it and above all, imagined an Anglo-Norman type garden, with hundreds of trees and perennial plants. » A paradise for naturophiles, where Jean-Pierre Coffe wanted his ashes scattered.

A lodging project born from a game of cards

Because Christophe Dolbeau did not expect to have to take charge of the place alone and so soon, he confides that he only raised the idea of ​​making it a welcoming place briefly with Jean-Pierre Coffe. “We both loved playing cards. I remember him teasing me during a game about the question of the future, when he would no longer be here… About the fact that I would be able to welcome people here. It was a joke. And then, when he died, to preserve the walls and continue to live there, it became concrete. »

Christophe Dolbeau then bought the shares to become sole owner and set up paid guided tours of the garden, with an aperitif included, as well as an accommodation service, for one or more nights. “I couldn’t keep this magnificent place a secret, and Jean-Pierre loved entertaining! His bronze bust has recently been placed in the garden so that he can keep an eye on everything! »

An antique dealer by trade, Christophe Dolbeau keeps his spirits up and reinvents himself as a handyman. With his sleeves rolled up, he maintains the square meters of the estate in all seasons and without employees, which he has chosen to rename La Duchaylatière. Daily efforts shared on Instagram and which are paying off: the site is now classified as Parks and Gardens in Centre-Val de Loire, and contributes to the Remarkable Garden label. Reservations for the gîte and guest rooms, with access to the swimming pool in summer and breakfasts, also fill up quickly… even if Christophe Dolbeau assures us: “We always find room, just call me”.

“I definitely don’t want to turn it into a museum”

Municipal councilor at the town hall of Saint-Denis-Lanneray since 2020, Christophe Dolbeau no longer sees himself living in another corner of France. If he let out his first cry in Dreux and grew up in Le Mans (Sarthe), at almost 49 years old, it is here that this “adopted” Eurélien sees himself aging. “I have been here for 20 years, I lived 10 years with Jean-Pierre and 10 years without him. We have everything nearby, peace and quiet as a bonus. And when I need a dose of the city, I like to go to Chartres. »

Surrounded by friends and blessed with a warm personality, Jean-Pierre Coffe’s ex-companion refuses to see this house full of history remain frozen in the past: “I definitely don’t want to turn it into a museum. Of course, there are still furniture and objects that belonged to Jean-Pierre. But I only kept the kitchen intact. It’s the soul of the house, I couldn’t take it away. » For the rest, Christophe Dolbeau dusts things off in his own way. “A street art artist from Nogent-le-Rotrou will exhibit his paintings in the garden next May” May it live!