Join us to create a space for creativity and community in a special part of the Normandy countryside, France

updated

France

Favourited 341 times

Host rating
Feedback
46
Last activity
15/02/2019
Reply rate
96.6 %
Average reply time:
within 3 days
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This listing is a Last minute host. They have let us know that they are looking for help immediately as well as at other times of the year.

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Availability

2019

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

Description
An amazing colombage (timbered) house and an outbuilding with five bedrooms and cosy rooms, a vast barn, a stream, a plunge pool, fresh spring water and a constant show of wildlife. The estate nestles in a hectare of land in a small valley in the ancient and beautiful landscape of the Pays d’Auge in Lower Normandy, France. An hour from the channel coast and ports, two hours from Paris by train and car.

We are right by an espace naturel, the Coteaux Champ-Genets, known as one of the most important protected natural areas in Normandy, with 15 kinds of orchid, gentian, plus horses sheep and goats.

I am Finnish former garment technologist and my English husband is a professional trainer who goes to the UK regularly for work. We took up residency here just before Christmas 2016 and we are very excited about the possibilities of this place which is located in a small commune with just 100 inhabitants. We have recently been joined by three outdoor cats and got married here in August 2017.

With so much land and garden there is always lots to be done, daily and weekly tasks plus smaller and bigger projects. The vegetable garden is being made much bigger for 2019 - the recently updated cabin over the stream needs the roof fixing, the caravan needs repair and cleaning up, and there is a lot of garden space to make pretty!

We have loved hosting people through workaway and we are happy to chat about what is needed at the moment, and projects for next year too. We always arrange a Skype call with whoever is thinking about coming here, so do get in touch!
Type of help
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Other
Help with Eco project
Help in the house
Animal care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Between the two of us we speak English, Finnish and some Swedish, German and French - if you want to practice any of these we are happy to help! We offer a place for quiet reflection in a peaceful setting.
Help
We are looking for people who enjoy the quiet countryside and are willing to do what needs to be done to continue creating this beautiful space for nature and people.

Minimum two weeks, maximum 6 months. Our preference is for people to stay for a month or more as that gives good time to get to know how things work here.

Projects for the first and second quarters of 2019 include:

- Vegetable garden, various actions to ensure a good crop for summer season
- Repairing cement steps and terrace
- Daily up keep of the house
- Helping to clear site of scrub and small trees
- Clearing and restoring stone step area around an old plunge pool
- Restore the little cabin over the stream, including replacing some panels and repainting
- Clean and prepare a caravan for use
Languages spoken
English, Finnish, intermediate Swedish, beginners French and German.
Accommodation
There are bed-spaces for 2 people in shared room in the main house between November and March and a range of places to stay in the Summer.

Kitchen and living room space in the main house is shared. Breakfast and lunch are provided and the evening meal preparation is shared by everyone staying here, so expect to experience a range of cuisines, from as many places as there are workaway people! The main house has WiFi.
What else ...
The small towns of Vimoutiers and Gace are 10 minutes by car, approx. 30 minutes by bike. There are four bikes available for use (and an amazing countryside to explore) and there are regular trips to the boulangerie and local markets.

We are two hours from Paris, by train (Lisieux or l'Aigle stations) and car; two hours from Dieppe and one hour from Caen Carpiquet airport (flights from London Southend).

We normally arrange to collect and return people to Lisieux or l'Aigle.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

Cabin over the stream, in need of renovation!

Small gite being upgraded.

Libertine!

Libertine le petite agneau with fab workaway Loo.

Show all photos

The plunge pool

The view down the valley..

Spring begins down by the lower stream.

Feedback left by and about host (46)

07/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Krister) for host

My three weeks spent with Mila and Jonathan were enjoyable and rewarding. At first I was a little overwhelmed by the amount of ‘possible’ projects, but as the days progressed, things got sorted out. While I was there, the weather was a little dreary, but the presence of two other WorkAwayer’s and 5 month old James made things sunny in the home.… read more

(Very good )

18/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Anais) for host

I had a great experience with Jon and Mila and of course baby James! Jon and Mila were very kind in picking me up and the setting of their house is amazing. Definitely a place to go if you enjoy the peaceful countryside. The work we did was varied but never too difficult and Jon and Mila are always patient and happy to help. I felt right at home… read more

(Excellent )

29/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Zuzanna) for host

This was my first Workaway experience and it couldn't have been better. I loved the atmosphere of the house and the area, peacefullness and natural environment. Jonathan and Mila were amazing hosts, incredibly kind, welcoming and patient. I felt like at home there from the start. Me and other volunteers helped in the house and garden and the works… read more

(Excellent )

08/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Mika) for host

I stayed with Mila and Jonathan for 2.5 weeks in October and couldn't imagine a better place to cozy up for the coming winter! Mila and Jonathan were kind and helpful hosts; they responded to my messages quickly, picked me up from the train station, showed me how to slice bread correctly, and gave me the opportunity to try so many new things… read more

(Excellent )

06/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Santino) for host

I had an amazing first Workaway experience with Mila and Jonathan! They took great care of me from the get-go, with helping me find my way to the area and picking me up from the station since I couldn't drive there. The accomodation had everything I needed and the space itself was breathtaking; quite the retreat from the busy city, which was… read more

(Excellent )

24/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Santino)

Santino brought a great smiley energy to the place. He was always up for helping out and getting things done and he made a big contribution to our projects here! We really enjoyed hosting him and would be happy to see him again. Thanks for all your work Santino and thanks for the extra help too! Luckily your vigilante skills weren't needed :).

(Excellent )

28/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Lauren) for host

I'm only five months late leaving this review...sorry about that. This was the first work exchange I did, and it's still by far been the best ;) Jonathon and Mila are wonderful hosts with a gorgeous house full of life and laughs. I was lucky enough to be here for ten days with some other wicked Workawayers; cooking and sharing food several times a… read more

(Excellent )

06/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Alex) for host

I left a little piece of my heart back at Jonathan and Mila's (and baby James') place. It was a completely surreal experience during my three weeks there that just flew on by. There was so much to do on their property. Namely, I enjoyed the cooking, the carpentry work, the brick-laying, the jelly making-and the people. Jonathan and Mila have a… read more

(Excellent )

03/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Leonardo & Alice) for host

The one we made in August last summer was our first workaway experiece and it couldn't be better! Mila and Jon are really friendly and made us feel at home, and little James is super cute and sweet!
Work is never too hard and it can variate from embroidery to gardening, so you can never get bored
We suggest that place as the place for your… read more

(Excellent )

24/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Arihant & Sana) for host

It was a great experience . Mila and Johnathan are very kind people. The work is easy and doable. We loved the different conversations during meals and the meals were delicious and filling. We were lucky to bond with Mila's parents, they're just amazing people. Many first times here from milking cows to picking blackberries and corns to having… read more

(Excellent )

17/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jing) for host

Mila and Jonathan were absolutely amazing. I had a wonderful stay at their place. The work differed each day, and I learned something new everyday. For example, we paved a path from the entrance leading to the main cabin. We also picked apples and made them into jams. We had around four workaways at the time and we rotated to make dinner. It's… read more

(Excellent )

09/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Giovanni) for host

Mila and John are very kind people, they are welcoming, they always take care for evrybody, very patience. The place is in the beautiful Normandie country side, close to the village Camembert, is a nice area for walkings and discover the local life style. Thank you for hosting me, l felt very welcomed. Ps: let me know how is going the water pipe… read more

(Excellent )

01/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Natalia) for host

Thank you so much for this awesome experience! It was my first Workaway and I’ve stayed here with my friend ,Sophie, for two weeks. The place is fairy-tale beautiful and the hosts did the best to make us feel at home! The tasks weren’t hard and I enjoyed all of them (work in the garden, building a path, help in the kitchen), but my favourite was… read more

(Excellent )

10/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Shuhui ) for host

This is my first workaway and it has really exceeded my expectations.
Before my arrival, Jonathan and Mila were responsive for all my messages and also punctual for the pick up.
The environment is just amazing. So much green and the colorful plants. Also the 3 adorable caaaats! I took so many amazing photos that I am gonna cherish forever. And… read more

(Excellent )

07/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Caterina) for host

This has been my best Workaway experience so far!! When me and Valeria arrived we had our own bedroom, really cosy and comfy. Then John told us that it had been built from other workawayers and they did such a good job, I have to say!! The place is wonderful, in the middle of the best nature set and with lots of animals in the close neighborhood.… read more

(Excellent )

25/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Michelle) for host

I spent an amazing 4 weeks with Mila & Jonathan helping around their property. It was not long enough. I didn’t want to leave. This Workaway was everything I had hoped it would be & more. I really enjoyed the company of my hosts & the other Workaways who where here at the sametime. We had many great discussions, lots of laughs, amazing food… read more

(Excellent )

23/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Michelle)

Michelle is a fantastic contribution, as a person, as a workawayer, as a traveller, as an Australian. She worked so hard, seeing possibilities, offering suggestions, making improvements. She has an outstanding sense of responsibility and a work ethic that understands that tasks are as much about completion as they are about what is needed.

here… read more

(Excellent )

24/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Christine) for host

I stayed here for a month and it was fun and interesting and nice and pleasant and fun. It's been a great experience, lots of laughs and fine dining, as well as a rewarding, not to mention inspiring workload that was just the right amount of challenging. Jonathan and Mila are truly wonderful people, they have taught me so much, and the banter was… read more

(Excellent )

23/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Christine)

When we collected Christine from the station town in Normandy she was exhausted after an epic journey, all the way from Cornwall. Recovering slowly, she took her place in a small team of dedicated volunteers who did amazing work in the garden, kitchen and other rooms. She was so dedicated that she gave rise to a bespoke hashtag #christinecan -… read more

(Excellent )

23/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (James)

James was one of the funniest people ever to help us out. His story of getting covered in expanding foam caused most of the table to have uncontrolled laughter fits for the best part of an hour - indeed me other workawayer has not yet quite recovered from the near hernia he gave her :). James was a great addition to the team, did loads of hard and… read more

(Excellent )

23/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Aaron)

The youngest of the team he worked with Aaron showed a maturity beyond his years. He is a great teamworker, happy to work hard and long of needed. He was dedicated to helping us do what needed to be done, even when the tasks were sometimes repetitive. He shared Austrian cuisine with the group and was a great addition to our tribe of workawayers.

(Excellent )

23/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Nora)

Nora was a great part of the team helping us out in June 2018. She was happy to help, adapted to lots of new requests for help and willing to take on doing what was needed. She took initiative where it was needed and followed instructions where that was needed too. She was part of a very fun team, and made a big difference to our work. Thanks Nora!

(Excellent )

23/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Anne Jacqueline)

Anne was really great in helping us out, always happy to work, whether in the garden, kitchen or with decorating and preparing our rooms for the public! She brought much experience and was a great part of the team she worked with! Thanks Anne :).

(Excellent )

11/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Feger) for host

Mila and Jonathan are good hosts (and cooks), I had 2 great weeks in their lovely domain in spite of the cold weather. The departure was a bit crazy but Mila is also an awesome pilot - even pregnant . I hope your maison d hôte will be a success ! Bye :)

(Excellent )

08/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Feger)

Guillaume stayed with us for two weeks in February. He worked tirelessly in spite of the dismal weather and even taught me to repair concrete steps. He is a morning person who is curious to learn new things and to acquire new skills. We would love to have him here again for a longer period. The stay ended in a mad drive to the train station, but… read more

(Excellent )

10/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Loo) for host

Welcome to the compound, as Mila and Jonathan lovingly call their farm. It’s a place you’ll want to stay or escape from, depending upon how comfortable you feel being surrounded by rolling green pastures, listening to the steady stream of a running brook, living in a classic Normandie farmhouse, and having Tibetan buddhists as neighbors. For me I… read more

(Excellent )

08/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Loo)

Loo stayed with us for some three weeks in January. She has a kind spirit and gives a lot in return for the hospitality she receives. She helped with a massive spring clean of the house and getting the garden ready for guests. Always painting in her journal she has this calm energy about her that really helped me as I was pregnant while she stayed… read more

(Excellent )

08/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Linda)

Oh Linda, you write the best reviews! It was such a pleasure having you over for 26 days from mid January to mid February and you did a great job in cleaning the house and clearing in the garden. Linda has a can-do attitude and made a big difference in a short space of time. Especially the driveway looks great! She understands instructions well… read more

(Excellent )

03/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Linda) for host

Staying at Jonathan and Mila’s house was my first workaway experience and I was lucky to have this couple as my hosts. They are very kind and cheerful people, who like to have volunteers at their place and they always make sure that they feeling comfortable at the new place. The house is very beautiful and comfortable, you feel like you’ve been… read more living here for a long time but to me the real pleasure was working outside - you can’t have enough of the Normandy nature. The valley around the house is green and boundless, you feel deserted in a way, but at the same time enjoying the solitude, the silence and the air. The nearest town is 10 km away, so it takes you around an hour to get there by bike, make sure you are a sporty one.
The facilities in the house are excellent: the shower has a super hot water, it was such a pleasure getting yourself in the hot tub after a long day. Wi-fi is so good you can watch streaming movies anytime. I had my own room with a super comfy bed and an amazing view to the Buddhist centre and a river – a fantastic neighbourhood! The work at the place was diverse. Mila was always making sure we got all the instruction, all necessary tools, she is a person of order and that was really helpful for us. One day we would scrub off the ivy from the wall, moving the compost, the other – cleaning the house, washing the windows or a huge pile of wool (never thought it takes so much time, lol). What I really enjoyed doing is cleaning the cellars and washing the drive way – so much fun! In the evenings we would sat near the fireplace and have a dinner, talking about our native countries, comparing cultures here and there. Jonathan and Mila knows a lot about almost anything, I really enjoyed the time we spent together!
We also had outdoor activity: one day Mila took me to the nearest town to join her for a french conversational group and I met a lot of nice people there and even tried to speak some french too. The other day we went to a Camambert museum, even though it was closed due to the low season, it was fun to see it anyways. Mila and Jonathan are animal lovers – they have 2 cats, 1 lamb (I fall in love with), 1 stranger cat that comes only for food )) and a lot of birds visiting the feeding spot inside the tree in front of the house. And I must not forget about the food. All the meals were restaurant level – everyday smth surprising, something new, always fresh bagets and butter on top of the main dish, cheese or wine, all super delicious! Mila and Jonathan were so kind cooking vegetarian meals for us, almost for 4 weeks, being meat-eaters themselves, that was really touching!
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my staying at Mila and Jonathan’s house, they are excellent hosts, who live in a very beautiful area, that is definately worth visiting, I would love to come back one day.

(Excellent )

08/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Hélène & Nicky)

Hélène & Nicky stayed with us for almost two months leading up to mid December. They are very good at working on long projects and know their strengths. Hélène did a map of the property that was very usefull in setting our new projects up for 2018 and Nicky mainly worked in the garden. They did a great job in digging and laying pipes for a french… read more

(Excellent )

08/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Paco)

Paco stayed with us for a week in November. He is a quiet pondering person who makes great food. He got to a good start repairing the terrace before he left and has become a bit of legend for us because he literary walked here! We hope you will find amazing experiences on route and perhaps, one day, you will just walk through our gates again x

(Excellent )

08/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Sebnem)

Sebnem stayed with us for a week in February and was a great help in the garden. She takes well to direction and follows through on what she said she would do. We would love to have her again for a longer period. Best of luck with your studies and finding a new choir!

(Excellent )

07/01/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Fred)

Fred stayed with us for almost a month in November and helped with some big projects, such as digging and filling a french drain around a small studio. He is a good cook and has a can do attitude. Thank you Fred and all the best with your studies!

(Excellent )

17/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Alison) for host

I had the most enjoyable and rewarding experience staying with Mila and Jonathan. They have a beautiful establishment and it was an absolute pleasure helping them move forward with their various projects for improvement, particularly in the garden. They are both lovely hosts and I felt immediately welcomed into their home. All tasks were explained… read more

(Excellent )

09/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Alison)

Alison stayed with us work a month or so in September. She is such a thoughtful person who helps out with everything! Everyday she would help clear the table and put tools away. She chipped branches and cleared two cellars with another volunteer, she cleared the steps around the plunge pool, painted the remaining beds and helped pack the beds in… read more

(Excellent )

25/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Alexandra) for host

Mila was extremely welcoming and a fantastic host! The property is beautiful and I very much enjoyed my two weeks here -- very relaxing and easy to get to from Paris. Highly recommend

(Excellent )

25/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandra)

Alex stayed with us for a half a month in July. She is reliable and helpful. She washed windows, painted beds and helped set rooms up for guests. Please let me know if you ever come to Normandy again, you are more than welcome!

(Excellent )

25/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Tuuna & Eetu)

Tuuna stayed with us for a week and a half in June. I can attest that she is a hard working person with a can do attitude - she can mow the lawn, paint walls, and is not adverse to outdoor tasks! It was a pleasure to have you over and thank you for staying with us. Please come again!

(Excellent )

22/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Tuuna & Eetu) for host

My 1,5 weeks stay here was a great experience! The place was absolutely beautiful with all the nature around. It was quite easy to get to their place from Charles de Gaulle -airport. But don’t make your schedule too tight, for the stations are quite big and trains aren’t always on time.

I was travelling with my friend. We had a cozy shared room… read more

(Excellent )

25/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Milton)

Milton stayed with us for a 10 day in June. He is a person who truly listens and always does his best. It was a pleasure to have you over and thank you for staying with us. I'd love to have you over in a couple of years time as we are more set up so that you can see how our project has evolved and matured. Stay true to yourself and bon courage x

(Excellent )

26/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Milton) for host

I stayed with Jonathan and Mila for about 10 days, and it was amazing!I felt very welcome during this time and the job was absolutely doable and enjoyable. The place and the countryside around are beautiful: so much you can help with and create, and so much to explore. My duties included wedding the garden, painting and assembling furniture.… read more

(Excellent )

07/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Jenni)

Jenni stayed with us for a week and a half in June. She is a hard working person with a can do attitude - she can mow the lawn, paint walls, and is not adverse to outdoor tasks! It was a pleasure to have you over and thank you for staying with us.

(Excellent )

21/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Jenni) for host

I had a wonderful time staying here for one and a half weeks in June. Mila and Jonathan are warm-hearted and they made me feel at home from the moment I had arrived here. I came along with a friend and we had our own cozy room upstairs at the main house. They also served us breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was tasty and we got to taste… read more

(Excellent )

01/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Dorothy Anne)

Dorothy stayed with us for a little under a week in March. She is full on energy and wisdom and made a huge difference for us! She helped me get our health and safety gear, to clean the two large studio rooms, to identify edible plants and so much more. I would recommend Dorothy to any host, but especially to hosts who are just getting started… read more

(Excellent )

07/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Lotte)

Lotte joined us for a week in February 2017. She is a self-starter who can follow through on instructions. During the week we cleaned bedrooms and a studio room from top to bottom, washed windows, planted tulips and raked leaves. Lotte has a good eye for details and she doesn't get bored easily. She had the courage to drive by herself from the… read more

(Excellent )

07/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Lotte) for host

Staying here was an amazing experience. I had some trouble getting there by car, but Jonathan and Mila happily waited up for me until I had found the place. The room I stayed in was just perfect, you will get a tropical experience as well for all the palmtree wallpapers :)
The work was mostly about cleaning and a bit of gardening. Doing it… read more

(Excellent )

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Host ref number: 957475551612

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