Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
12 Nov 2023
Feedback
19
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Our old stone house, the BASTIDE of Uzer, in the southern part of the Ardeche , was formerly a fortified castle constructed on the site of a Roman military settlement built to monitor the road to Aubenas, a large town 15 minutes north of here. The house has had a long history, including an evasion in 1584 by Protestants during the period of the Huguenot wars.
We are both professional opera singers from Australia and New Zealand and having been living here since 2005 with our children ,Claudia 14 and Kaspar 8, golden retriever « Jazz » and cat "Jinx".
Apart from our operatic engagements abroad, we teach singing and give concerts in our large vaulted music room downstairs.
Our house has been a passionate renovation project for us since we moved in and thanks to the help from workaways we finished the inside last summer . We feel now it is the time to renovate our outdoor spaces..... repairing old stone out houses, landscaping around the new pool , preparations for a vegetable garden , clearing and general gardening.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As we are well experienced travellers ourselves, and enjoy exploring other countries , we would like to encourage a cultural exchange of ideas and interesting conversation.
Living here with us would provide an opportunity to learn French , new building skills, and perhaps even a singing lesson ?
We could also provide contact with other "workaways " in the area.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We need help with gardening and landscaping around new swimming pool . stone wall reparations,
Our garden too, is in need of attention, with clearing, and landscaping .
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Your accomodation would consist of an extra large double bedroom ( large enough for two separate beds if required )with its separate entrance and private bathroom .
Wifi and all comforts would be provided.
What else ...
We look forward to sharing with you the beautiful region of the Ardeche. With its RIVERS and famous GORGES for canoeing and swimming ; CAVES for exploring and canyoning ( incl the famous UNESCO GROTTE CHAUVET only 24 km away) ; CLIFFS for rock climbing and via ferrata ( we have the equipment) ; BIKE and WALKING TRAILS to villages like Balazuc, Labeaume ,Vogüé ,and Largentiere, ranked "most beautiful villages of France" , passing vineyards, olive groves and rivers ; vibrant MARKETS everyday of the week ; WINERIES ( we know many of the local winemakers ).
Our village UZER , is an hour and a half drive to the popular southern towns of AVIGNON, MONTPELLIER and NIMES... All accessible also by TGV services from MONTELIMAR or VALENCE.
We have good VTT bikes and a car for use, and enough french to help out when needed!
Life in the Ardeche is a celebration of the natural environment- it's beauty.
Life here is relaxing but there is always something to discover.
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
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (9)
Je recommande vivement Mario! S'il est… read more
:asterisk_symbol: Not only a hard worker who was determined to finish the job ...sometimes until the early hours of the morning , but someone who cared about results and showed pride in his work . ...the little details never forgotten.
:asterisk_symbol: The… read more
I learned lots of… read more
First, the home was just wonderful. My room was newly finished and was very comfortable — though I didn’t spend much time… read more
Feedback
Je recommande vivement Mario! S'il est… read more
:asterisk_symbol: Not only a hard worker who was determined to finish the job ...sometimes until the early hours of the morning , but someone who cared about results and showed pride in his work . ...the little details never forgotten.
:asterisk_symbol: The… read more
I learned lots of… read more
First, the home was just wonderful. My room was newly finished and was very comfortable — though I didn’t spend much time… read more
The family is composed of real artists who finally taught me a different way of life. Their… read more
The work was fair and they are flexible. We painted the walls and the ceiling in the… read more
We are sure that we will see… read more
The work was rewarding, and Kate and nick were so flexible with us. The ardeche is beautiful and definitely worth exploring!
We can't wait to book another holiday and see the team and their finished project!
