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Host rating
65 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
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2
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Details
Description
Set in the tranquil and idyllic countryside of Gascogne, SW France, I maintain an ancient countryside home on 5 hectare of ecologically sustained land. This is real France, where local organic farming and produce has always been the rule and activities and relationships in the two nearby villages are on the human scale. While in France, I look after my very mobile elderly mother and energetic 2 year old labrador. My medicinal herb and potager gardens and tiny orchard are organically tended with care and the 300+ year old restored house requires loving maintenance. Winters are cozy and summers are predictably sunny and hot! Lots of time to swim and enjoy the 15 meter pool. When available, there is a car for local errands. France's Armagnac district is within an hour and Biarritz coast is 2 hours away. For an energetic and experienced workaway a front garden landscape design project might interest and I am developing a completely eco-designed second house on the property.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am a communications director for luxury brands over the past 25 years. I have mentored many younger individuals from my experience creating and repositioning iconic brands, lifestyle brand, hotels and restaurants. My French home provides a much needed respite and credible reset towards my more philosophical and physically nurturing lifestyle. Enjoy an nature-focussed life in these ancient, tranquil surrounds where the land offers duck, cheese, and bountiful produce as it has for centuries. Practice and perfect your French language skills in the process.
Help
While the tasks are mostly small and of a maintenance nature, I would welcome assistance with the Herb and pool area garden planting and upkeep, firewood cutting and stacking, walking the dog, exterior touch-up painting. An experienced individual could offer masonry and landscape design which would be much appreciated. Driver license essential. Functional French language is very useful. A typical day in Autumn could include a walk with the dog, a visit to the organic market, weeding/planting work in the garden, splitting and stacking the daily wood logs, some light painting or small fix-it tasks. My mother loves company to play cards and will chat about her interesting personal history. Summer months include lots of swimming as a respite to gardening, jam making and outdoor tasks.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
This is a two floor, 'maison maitre' home of 4 bedrooms, a large kitchen and two large salons. Workaways will have a private bedroom and access to a full bathroom on the first floor. (Bathroom is shared with one other room.)
I am a hearty cook using mostly organic, local ingredients and welcome you to join me for meals. As I arise early for breakfast and yoga , one could opt to take their breakfast later at a leisurely pace.
What else ...
This is the land of D'Artagnan of the Three Musketeers with ancient bastides, rolling hills and fertile land. Local wine and Armagnac chateaus can be visited and The Pyrenees mountains are under 2 hours away. Biarritz and Archachon areas are 2 hours west affording Atlantic beaches and surfing. Local fetes and markets offer an abundance of goods and opportunity to speak French.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (1)
I did some plumbing job for her and in my free time I really enjoyed nature around her house and a nice quiet and peaceful atmosphere there.… read more
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Feedback
I did some plumbing job for her and in my free time I really enjoyed nature around her house and a nice quiet and peaceful atmosphere there.… read more
