Fetish animator of Secrets of stories, Stéphane Bern has been able to build up a fine heritage since its debut on television. Owner since 2013 of the Royal College of Thiron-Gardais, classified as a Historic Monument, he also owns a Parisian apartment in the 9th arrondissement and a house in Paros, Greece. Interviewed by the Parisian, the 59-year-old presenter now living in Perche revealed that he had to part with his home in Greece. The cause ? Stéphane Bern has accumulated a lot of debt, in particular because of the renovation of the gigantic historical monument which he acquired.
“I bought it, in very poor condition, for the price of a small Parisian apartment: 300,000 euros. At first, I was told: With 150,000 or 200,000 euros, you can restore it. But there were plenty of problems, such as dry rot (a fungus that attacks structural wood), that weren’t foreseen. Result: I got into debt beyond my capacity: 4 million euros to be repaid over 25 years. I refused all public aid. All my money goes there, my royalties, the money from the shows. Here, it’s a bit like the barrel of the Danaïdes” he explained.
I sell Paros
But beware, the author published by Albin Michel refuses to be told that he is penniless. He says : “I am not ruined, as I have read, and I do not want to cry in the cottages. I’m not in trouble. But I still have to be careful. I have to work, and probably for a long time, to pay off my debts. I put a lot on my back. I need to rationalize my assets and that’s why I’m selling Paros. I don’t want to leave debts behind me. But frankly, I don’t regret anything. With Thiron-Gardais, I found what I was made for in life: bringing a historical monument back to life.“.
A beautiful project that he shares with his darling Yori Bailleres. Nearby Parisian, Stéphane Bern had also confided that his companion will never inherit this residence if he were to die. “Never will this property and its domain fall into private hands after my death. I created a foundation which will open the whole domain after my visit“, said the host. A well-classified which has now become the love nest of the two lovebirds.