Volunteer exchange in les Cevennes, South of France
Description
We are a couple who have swapped the office for the outdoors and are renovating an old stone farmhouse in the beautiful and spectacular mountains of the Cevennes region in the south of France. Our land is in a secluded valley just 5 minutes walk from a small village and 5 minutes drive from a medium sized town which has all the typical Southern French characteristics as well as lots of local idiosyncrasies. So far we live in a caravan in a barn while we work on the farmhouse and cultivate the garden.
Area
Southern France
Type of work
Other,Building,
Gardening
Work
There is always a variety of jobs to be done in the garden, the orchards and the surrounding countryside; picking fruits and nuts: plums, cherries, blackberries, wild strawberries, elderberries, mushrooms, chestnuts, walnuts, grapes and apples. The valley is terraced with walls needing repair or rebuilding and the farmhouse has been empty for several decades so there is everything to do. We have put on a new roof and now we are putting in new floors and windows.
Languages spoken
English and French
Accommodation
We have a camping area for visitors on a terrace below the house with several tents each with a foam mattress and bed linen. There is mains water and electricity and a garden bathroom with flushing toilet and a solar heated shower. Shade for campers' siestas and picnics with chairs and tables is under large old cherry trees next to the stream. We eat in the shade or under the stars at night right next to the outdoor kitchen where we cook a la Francaise what we grow in our own garden and choose from the local seasonal produce.
What else ...
In 2012 we will need help from April onwards. If you have experience of gardening or building we would welcome your skills, if not we are happy to teach what we know and value your enthusiasm. We are here for the adventure and love to share it with our family, friends and visitors. Let us know if you would like to hear from previous holiday workers.
My Photo Album
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Host ref number: 1597461364b4
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