Visiting and exploring caves is one of the many things that people enjoy doing. Found all over the country, they hold secrets that’ll never be revealed. Caves are mysterious yet fun. But for most, visiting them consists of nothing more than peering inside or being bold enough to walk in 20 to 30 feet.
A massive number of caves
According to experts, more than 17,000 caves exist in the United States alone. While some of these are small, others are classified as caverns, which are massive in size. While a lot of caves are easy to find, others are tucked away, making them more difficult to locate.
A different purpose
Over the past several decades, some people have turned caves into homes. For the most part, they’re nice and comfortable but nothing over-the-top. Well, one couple followed this trend but the outcome was beyond what they could’ve imagined.
Creating a unique home
This couple decided to turn a cave into their home. We’re not just talking about a cleaned-up space and a few beds but a bona fide house. What they did is so incredible that it could easily land on the cover of a major magazine.
Looking for affordable housing
It all started with Alexis Lamoureux searching for a house he could afford. He, along with his girlfriend, Lotte van Riel, rediscovered an old cave on the market in Amboise, France. At one time, it had once belonged to his uncle.
On the market
Come to find out, the local government was now selling it. The challenge…it had sat empty for more than three decades. But it was also in such bad condition that it posed a danger of collapsing. Yet, the couple was drawn to it.
Hatching a plan
Since they couldn’t secure a bank loan to make the necessary repairs, they knew they’d have to pay for a lot of things out-of-pocket. Alexis, who worked as a bartender, spent money on having the structure reinforced. But overall, he and Lotte did the majority of the work themselves.
A labor of love
To bring the cave home up to code so to speak, it took the couple four years of hard work and determination. Fortunately, they had an advantage. Both of them had experience in electrical wiring, plumbing, and tiling. Their combined knowledge allowed them to do some of the more intricate work.
Making sacrifices
As Lotte stated, “We were lucky enough to have a project and focus on it so all the money we had we just invested it in the place.” To transform a cave into a beautiful home, they had to give up a lot…things like traveling and dining out. But it was all worth it.
Another property
This couple wasn’t done yet. Along with the cave they just finished, they purchased a second cave on the same property. Instead of using that as part of their residence, they turned in into a rental property. And when needed, it was used to store coal.
More than hoped for
Yes, this couple worked long hours to complete the project. And they expected it to look nice. But what they accomplished went well beyond their wildest dreams. News of their cave home spread on social media with one video getting almost one million views.
You can learn more about this and see the transformation by clicking on the video below.
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