Chobhar "Le Village" Resort was created as a Private Limited company under the laws of the Kingdom of Nepal in 2001. The company's Managing Director is Theo, a French-American.

Chobhar Resort's in-City Promotional Offices in Thamel, Kathmandu

When Theo first came to Nepal from France after his retirement from banking and International Finance in 1998, he came across this quite unique piece of property in the centre of Chobhar village. At that time these old farm buildings were completely derelict and abandoned. Had these historic 200 year-old stonehouses been left in their critical need of repair for too much longer, Theo reasoned, another piece of Newari culture and tradition would have disappeared forever.

So having fallen in love with the place, in part because of its beautiful ethnic setting, its panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains, and also because it reminded Theo of Normandy's stone constructions, Theo decided to take the property on a long lease. He then proceeded to commit his own funds to renovate this unique Newari heritage, preserving it for posterity. Therefore, a property which originally was intended to serve as a retirement house - for one man - was later converted into a larger project - a Business with a Social Responsibility (BSR) Today, the Resort is fully operational with a its Café, Restaurant and lovingly and artfully restored rooms. Theo personally supervised every detail of the Interior Design of the inside of the main house. Today, the project provides employment to many members of the local community.

Theo often compares the creation of this small complex with having a dream. Theo's ultimate goal has never been pure financial gain. Rather, Theo derives great satisfaction from the fact that this BSR is now providing steady work to the local village people, who previously had none. The project has also helped to train many tradesmen, carpenters, plumbers, painters, artists, etc. On expiration of the lease, the resort's physical assets will revert back to the local community, in this case akin to a legs to the people living in Chobhar Village.

"BEFORE" AND "AFTER" RENOVATION PHOTOS ARE SHOWN BELOW

Before	After

Theo is the person who motivated the Village's first ever CLEAN-UP Campaign (March 8, 2006) On that day, this resort cooperated with the Local Community to create a clean-up brigade made up of 76 volunteers. That day, 5 tonnes of rubbish were removed from the Village. The next step is to work with Nepal Tourism Board and other organizations to educate the townspeople to keep Chobhar Village clean all year long. Theo is also pressing the local authorities so that public toilets are created in Chobhar Village. In the autumn of every year, up to 60,000 visitors come to Chobhar every year to worship.

Simultaneous with the opening of Chobhar CAFÉ in 2004, Theo started the first and only SCULPTURE GARDEN in Nepal. The Garden only accepts works by Nepali artists and places the emphasis on Contemporary Art-works, specially the "avant garde" and futuristic type. It will be the first time in Nepal that the public will be given an opportunity to see artworks of this type, in an open out-of-doors setting.

A great art enthusiast, Theo is inviting young promising nepali artists - and established ones too - to submit maquettes (models) of their work, with a view to displaying their sculptures in our Chobhar Garden. Ultimately, Theo hopes to fill the entire garden with works in metal, stone, marble, aluminium, in fact any durable materials which will resist the weather!

No forgetting nature! Every year right after Monsoon time, Theo ensures that more plantations are made. Chobhar Resort already has a Bodhi tree, Palm trees, Orange and lemon trees, banana trees, rose bushes,bougainvillas,…..Jacarandas, irises, and more cactus plants are sure to be next!!