Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
30
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a couple who swapped the office for the outdoors and started 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.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We really enjoy meeting new people and helping them get the most from their experience of travelling in this beautiful area.
Help
In 2024 we will need help from June 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.
There is always a variety of jobs to be done in the garden , the orchards and the surrounding countryside as the seasons change; 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 had been empty for several decades so there was everything to do. We have put on a new roof, new floors and windows and have a woodstove and a shed full of wood to burn. Lots done but still more to do.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a caravan for those who like their own space and a bedroom in the house. We have mains water and electricity and a proper bathroom. Shade for visitors' siestas and picnics with chairs and tables is on a wisteria covered terrace.
What else ...
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.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
About 25 hours per week but that is flexible and depends on the person's interests and what is happening at the time!
Host ref number: 1597461364b4
Feedback (15)
29 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Elina) for host
Louise and Richard are very nice people with an excellent sense of humour (in my opinion), as well as welcoming and attentive hosts.
They live in a beautiful place in the mountains surrounded by stunning scenery and know lots about the history and geography of the area.
The tasks were as described - we did renovating (painting, glazing,… read more
They live in a beautiful place in the mountains surrounded by stunning scenery and know lots about the history and geography of the area.
The tasks were as described - we did renovating (painting, glazing,… read more
17 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Edouard)
Edouard has great energy, knowledge and skills. We learnt about power steering pumps and how to make huitre gratinées plus lots of other interesting things. He brought his energetic approach to all the work and helped us achieve loads. It was good to have someone with local knowledge and excellent English to help us find a helpful garage man and… read more
(Excellent
)
17 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Kieran )
Kieran spent two weeks with us and he was a really helpful and energetic helper. He readily adapted to our changing work, learnt quickly and was constantly enthusiastic. He brought youthful energy and a bright intelligence. Kieran worked hard, he was competent and ready to take on any task. He was great to work with: we achieved a lot and had fun… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Kieran ) for host
I absolutely loved staying here! Louise and Richard are some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life and I felt at home straight away.
Their house is in a small, beautiful valley surrounded by nature. It is a very peaceful environment and a great place to work and then relax in. Le Vigan, the nearest town, is close by (and so are various… read more
Their house is in a small, beautiful valley surrounded by nature. It is a very peaceful environment and a great place to work and then relax in. Le Vigan, the nearest town, is close by (and so are various… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
29 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Elina) for host
Louise and Richard are very nice people with an excellent sense of humour (in my opinion), as well as welcoming and attentive hosts.
They live in a beautiful place in the mountains surrounded by stunning scenery and know lots about the history and geography of the area.
The tasks were as described - we did renovating (painting, glazing,… read more
They live in a beautiful place in the mountains surrounded by stunning scenery and know lots about the history and geography of the area.
The tasks were as described - we did renovating (painting, glazing,… read more
17 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Edouard)
Edouard has great energy, knowledge and skills. We learnt about power steering pumps and how to make huitre gratinées plus lots of other interesting things. He brought his energetic approach to all the work and helped us achieve loads. It was good to have someone with local knowledge and excellent English to help us find a helpful garage man and… read more
(Excellent
)
17 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Kieran )
Kieran spent two weeks with us and he was a really helpful and energetic helper. He readily adapted to our changing work, learnt quickly and was constantly enthusiastic. He brought youthful energy and a bright intelligence. Kieran worked hard, he was competent and ready to take on any task. He was great to work with: we achieved a lot and had fun… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Kieran ) for host
I absolutely loved staying here! Louise and Richard are some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life and I felt at home straight away.
Their house is in a small, beautiful valley surrounded by nature. It is a very peaceful environment and a great place to work and then relax in. Le Vigan, the nearest town, is close by (and so are various… read more
Their house is in a small, beautiful valley surrounded by nature. It is a very peaceful environment and a great place to work and then relax in. Le Vigan, the nearest town, is close by (and so are various… read more
8 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Heike)
Heike was a brilliant person to work with, she learned new skills really quickly and always seemed to know what to do next, whatever the task. She is very competent and full of energy which was inspiring. With her help we accomplished a great deal and we had fun too. She worked independently when needed and was always reliable She is very sociable… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Sep 2023
Left by Workawayer (Heike) for host
What can I say?! It was absolutely wonderful and the best decision I could have made.
Really from the first moment, Richard and Louise picked me up from the bus, I felt I was with the right people. And then they both don't like goat cheese either - what a relief!
The house, oh what am I saying, the whole property is a dream and is super… read more
Really from the first moment, Richard and Louise picked me up from the bus, I felt I was with the right people. And then they both don't like goat cheese either - what a relief!
The house, oh what am I saying, the whole property is a dream and is super… read more
10 Sep 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Archie)
Archie stayed with us for 10 days during the hottest part of the summer. Despite the heat he joined in with the work we were doing pruning trees and renovating a room that has been neglected for decades. He is friendly and well informed and we enjoyed chatting during mealtimes. He tried his hand at activities new to him and enjoyed visiting the… read more
(Very good
)
26 Aug 2022
Left by Workawayer (Archie) for host
I had a wonderful time staying with Louise and Richard for ten days this summer. Both of them are welcoming, warm and wise people. They really looked after me, provided intellectually stimulating conversation and offered me delicious meals throughout the day (thanks Louise). The work was also very interesting and it was insightful to learn various… read more
29 Aug 2022
Left by Workawayer (Greta) for host
Richard and Louise are great people who made me feel at home since the very first moment. I could have never expected to feel and experience so many things during my workaway stay, but they made it all possible! They are both great listeners and we shared very interesting conversations. Plus, Louise always made sure to cook the tastiest dishes!
It… read more
It… read more
4 Aug 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Henrik & Helle)
Hella and Henrik were wonderful. They worked away in the cool of the early mornings, clearing our overgrown land with great competence and efficiency. They are a self-contained and self-motivated couple whose wealth of experience makes them ideal Workawayers, able to put their hands to a wide variety of tasks and offer helpful advice particularly… read more
(Excellent
)
1 Aug 2022
Left by Workawayer (Henrik & Helle) for host
We stayed for 10 days in this beatiful valley during the warmest period of the summer. it has been 10 unforgettable days in the good company of Louise and Richard. They are kind and welcoming people and we have had benefit of their great knowledge about the area and historical insight. Lots of interesting talks and a lot of laughing too. Louise is… read more
26 Jun 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Antonin)
Antonin was an excellent helper. During his time with us we achieved lots and we learnt a good deal too. His enthusiasm, energy and competence together with his ability to learn quickly and anticipate what needed doing next made our work together productive and pleasurable. He was great company, we worked hard and had great fun too. We look… read more
(Excellent
)
17 Jun 2019
Left by Workawayer (Antonin) for host
I had a great time with Richard and Louise. We worked on such a variety of things that I got to learn a lot. Cutting wood, zipping screws, plowing earth, seedling, preparing beds for the plants, building fortresses for eggplants…More than the “what”, it is the “how” that matters here : a mix of relaxed attitude and attention to detail. I liked… read more
1 Sep 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Juan & Marianela)
We loved having Marianela and Juan stay with us. We did building, plastering, painting and cooking together as well as eating, drinking, swimming and site seeing! They are brilliant people who work hard and have such a positive and 'can do' attitude. We loved hearing their inspirational stories of their travels and their life in Argentina. … read more
(Excellent
)
22 Aug 2016
Left by Workawayer (Juan & Marianela) for host
We spend a bit more than 3 weeks in this place and was an amazing experience!! We fall in love of that place!! is great!! and Richard and Louise are incredible people. we had a lot of fun with then!! and also a lot of food and really good wine!!! so.... Is the perfect place!!!!!! We miss you guys!! and we hope see you soon!!!!!! Thanks for… read more
13 Aug 2015
Left by Workawayer (Gabrielle) for host
Thank you once again Louise and. Richard. A brief visit but lots of great information about the area .... I've booked in to come and pick cherries next May
Thank you Gabrielle
Thank you Gabrielle
20 Jun 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Melissa)
Melissa joined in with everything and helped us so much. She is a practical, fun loving and energetic and willing to have a go at what ever needed doing. We really enjoyed her company and had lots of laughs together.
(Excellent
)
19 Jun 2015
Left by Workawayer (Melissa) for host
I stayed for just over a month with Richard and Louise and it was a fantastic experience. Such a loving, caring and adventurous family who made me feel so welcome from day 1 and after a few days, this place really started to feel like home. No matter what we got up to whether it was mixing concrete, fruit picking, going on outings, gardening,… read more
26 Nov 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Armando)
Armando is a great person to have around. He was fun, easy going, hard working, had a great sense of humour and was interested in learning new skills. He really helped us with our project and we very much enjoyed his company.
(Excellent
)
4 Sep 2014
Left by Workawayer (Armando) for host
Thank you for the fantastic experience,it changes me so much and it gets me prepareted to my trip around Europe.
Really glad of being part of the team,best wishes and good luck for your project.
Armando
Really glad of being part of the team,best wishes and good luck for your project.
Armando
27 Nov 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (inabridges)
Mog was a great to have around, he is an excellent woodworker, built me a work bench which I now use all the time, mixed mortar for wall building, helped in the garden and cooked with the produce, great in the kitchen, interested in everything that was going on at our farm. Mog is hardworking, interesting, fun to have around, reliable and… read more
(Excellent
)
30 Aug 2013
Left by Workawayer (Richard) for host
Richard and Louise made me feel most welcome on my first workaway. The work was varied and interesting in a beautiful setting and surrounding countryside. Food was good as was their company. Help them with their project and you will not be disappointed. Good luck to you both.
25 Aug 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Richard)
Richard was a great person to have around. He joined in with whatever was going on, he brought loads of skills and experience and was good company too. A really good workawayer, thanks for everything Richard!
(Excellent
)
25 Aug 2013
Left by Workawayer (Ricky) for host
I really enjoyed my stay. It's a beautiful place with great people. Richard and Louise are fun, intelligent, and very easy to get along with. After my three-week stay I felt as if I had known them for a lot longer. The work was very varied so it was never boring. The place is peaceful and idyllic but there was still lots to do in the local area.… read more
25 Aug 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Ricky)
Ricky was a great person to have around. He joined in with everything, had loads of energy and enthusiasm and was good company too. I recommend him a a great workawayer.
Thanks for everything Ricky!
Thanks for everything Ricky!
(Excellent
)
25 Aug 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Biing Yih)
Biing was a great person to have around. He joined in with everything, was really helpful and good company too. I would recommend him as a really good workawayer! Thanks for everything Biing!
(Excellent
)
16 Aug 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (Lenka & Jakub Svetlan)
Lenka and Michal were great workawayers. They worked hard and were good fun too, joining with whatever was going on and making us some great examples of their repective national dishes.
(Excellent
)
30 Jul 2012
Left by Workawayer (Lenka & Jakub Svetlan) for host
Very nice and open-minded people, beautiful country...Louise and Richard were very kind and patient with us. We spend the great time in Aveze so we can recommended this place:-) Good experience, thank you
25 Jun 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (Eric)
Eric and Leah are a brilliant couple who are enthusiastic, work really hard (it was difficult to get them to stop at times) and are very capable. They were great to have as helpers; they learnt things fast and joined in with everything. Thanks a lot you two, we look forward to seeing you again if you can get down here.
(Excellent
)
12 Jun 2012
Left by Workawayer (Eric) for host
Eric and I really had a wonderful time staying with Louise and Richard. They are both excellent hosts. Richard was a great teacher and Louise a fabulous cook, we really ate like kings. Our two weeks staying in the Beautiful Avez went far too fast, though when we left we felt we had known Louise and Richard a lot longer. We loved living in the… read more
