This is a story about a couple who ran a business for many years together, teaching linguistics to local and embassy children. It wasn't long after the duo retired that they grew restless, and eventually came up with the idea of working together again. This time, it would be to open up their home to visitors, to show how the Maltese lived in the 16th century.

Let's rewind to how and why Josette and Georges were living in the palazzo of a Maltese noble family of French origin. "We had both inherited quite a few pieces from our families, and it wasn't good to leave them in storage. They either had to be out in a house, breathing, or sold - and we definitely didn't want to do that."

The couple went in search of a house that could be a place to settle, and saw the potential of Casa Bernard. "In particular, its high ceilings meant that we could display the various artworks in the best fashion."

The Rabat palazzo took two and a half years to restore, and another two to furnish. In 2001, the doors were opened to the public, offering daily guided tours, six days a week.

The difference to Casa Bernard is that it's not a museum, but a lived in, private family home. Beautiful architectural features are combined with a rich historical evolution. Originally, what started off as a medieval watch tower built on Roman foundations, progressed to a double-fronted palazzo in the mid 16th century, and then given some Baroque additions later on.

The guided tours given personally by either Georges or Josette take visitors through the splendid rooms where each room has an explanation, alongside which the important pieces of furniture, paintings, and objets d'art are pointed out, as well as their significance.

"We still enjoy doing this very much! This was our baby and we brought it up from scratch. It reflects our choices and tastes. Our aim is to produce a good impression of Malta and how the Maltese aristocracy lived throughout the ages."

The couple still live in the house, mainly in their annexed living quarters, which had originally been stables and used as the servants' quarters. "We didn't want to spoil the prestige environment with modern gadgets, such as televisions and computers."

While there's not much more space for new furnishings, the couple still purchases modern art from time to time, mainly to encourage young artists and the local art scene in general.

Casa Bernard is a gem for the art, historian or architectural buff, and a great way for visitors to get a snapshot of how a Maltese noble family lived in days gone by, with all the customs and traditions of the local aristocratic way of life.