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Volunteer in an old farmhouse near centre of Pau, France

  • Favourited 783 times
  • Last activity: 27 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    I'm Jacqueline and I live in a former farm-house (17th century) in the countryside but 10 minutes from the centre of Pau, 45 from the Pyrenees and an hour and a half from Biarritz. Our sons and daughter are here now and then, and our Labrador, cat, mare and donkey are here full time! There is the house and two barns - one a Gite and the other stables downstairs and a beautiful large yoga/meditation space above (see below). Our work (not yours) involves teaching English, servicing the gite and its guests, sometimes welcoming a guest in the house to learn English (usually one week's immersion) and also running an association teaching meditation and yoga in our large Dharma room. We have a number of fruit trees - figs, apples, kiwis and pears in season - and favour an organic plant-based/vegan diet.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Based in a very peaceful and healthy location, you can choose to use your time here to go within and retreat and/or to explore the beauty around you. Close to the town with the university, language or cultural study (mainly English with some French opportunities) is possible. Lots of experience and materials for learning English available. Also the possibility of starting or developing meditation and yoga. The spiritual work which we do through the non-profit part of our activities gives lots of opportunity for personal development. Workawayers can also explore the south-west of France or parts of Spain while based with us. Please note that this is an English-speaking household in France (even the dog, horse and donkey speak English!). Eating vegan is another area which can be shared (although we are happy to provide non-vegan foods as well).

  • Help

    Help

    The property is fairly large (4 hectares, largely wooded) with a garden and terraced lawns around the house and the gite, an orchard, a field for the horse and donkey, and extensive woodland from which logs need to be brought up for our two woodburning stoves (the donkey needs to be trained to carry logs too!). General gardening, pruning and tidying are ongoing, lots of painting generally needs doing, grooming, haying up and mucking out the stables are ongoing tasks, collecting fruit and juicing in season, helping in and around the house would be welcome, carpentry, electrics, housework and cleaning - depending on what skills you bring. Experience with horses very helpful (although of course we can train and help you if you are willing) and knowledge and experience of using a chainsaw/axe always a plus!

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Italian: Intermediate
    Spanish: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    One of our sons' bedrooms on the top floor (with a view over the valley and a small bit of mountains) with own shower room on the floor below. Alternatively (depending on other guests we have), the single room next to the Dharma Room which also has its own small bathroom (compost loo) and kitchenette.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Plenty of walking and running - or exercising the mare - among the surrounding Jurancon vineyards, and cycling - though it is hilly round here (that's why the Tour de France comes though Pau most years), good trains to Bordeaux and Toulouse, not far from Lourdes. Pau is only 10 minutes by bus and is a lovely French town with a chateau. Spain is an hour away. There's a piano you're welcome to play; our dog Cosmo would love you to take him for a walk. Mountains and skiing not far. Lourdes is an easy day-trip and the Atlantic coast around Biarritz is within easy reach. Pau has a lot to offer in terms of sports and activities - an excellent indoor and outdoor pool complex, an olympic kayaking stadium, climbing, great golf courses and more.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Optical fibre internet connection is a recent addition.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Smallish vans only

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 522772691846

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