Join the family and help with maintenance and new projects in Anjou, France

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Details

  • Description

    Description

    I am currently living in a chateau in the Loire valley, together with my mother. I have three kids 20-24 years old who visit as well, although not as often as I'd like... We've had the place for a long time but it's only now that we are spending the majority of the time here. We are American/English and Romanian (as well as French residents) and speak the respective languages. We also have JB, a very cute and cuddly cat, two turtle doves, a tenant farmer's cows, deer, pheasants, hares and occasionally boars. My guardians on the property have a dog and they used to have an old, grumpy goat as well.

    We are tightly connected in the local community, which is very important living in the countryside! We do have quite a bit of land (including a small vineyard) which also requires constant maintenance (!) as well as a large interior space which is quite prone to getting dusty or just disorganized... One of our many projects is to expand the vegetable garden into a semi-sustainable operation, but I need a lot of help with that.

    We are looking for someone who can be a quasi member of the family who enjoys history and old buildings, some gardening as well, and who can spend some time keeping my mother company (she is 95 and had two hip replacements, but can move around pretty well but needs some company and attention).

    See also below...

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Elderly Companionship
    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

    This is a great area of France (and I know France very well) and the prospective workawayer will be able to live and learn within a very special home and environment. As part of this very close and friendly local community, you can also immerse yourself in the French culture, visit local sites, possibly learn and/or improve your English, French or Romanian!
    Both my Mom and I have a lot stories to share with you (only if you want!) from very full lives - my Mom was a world-class virologist and on the faculty at Columbia University, I am a semi-retired investment banker now teaching online at Harvard. As we lived in many places and have several nationalities, we would very much like to share our multi-cultural experiences with many of you.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for a kind, patient and energetic person (or more) who would ideally fulfill several roles, on a flexible basis:

    - caring for my mother (keeping company, walk with her, cook some light meals, etc.) There is no expectation of personal care for my Mom - we have someone coming daily for that.
    - light house cleaning/laundry etc.
    - gardening/planting projects
    - helping with some larger renovation/decoration projects within the chateau
    - creating a sustainable farm
    - helping with my winemaking!
    - be a part of our household

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Romanian: Fluent
    Italian: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    You will have one of the seven bedrooms on the property to yourself. We will also provide all the food and supplies and we will either have common meals or you can cook your own food when hungry.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There are many activities around and one major city (Angers) about 30 mins away. You will also have access to a car for your free time.
    Also walking, biking, jogging, golf, kayaking, tennis court on property and a small gym in the basement. And a local cafe 5 minutes away where we get our daily baguettes.

  • 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

    We have high speed fiber internet throughout the house (faster than I had living in Cambridge, MA)...

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Possibly

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 124778187925

Website Safety

Feedback (7)



Photos

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)









A variety of projects including, gardening, landscaping and renovating in Ardèche, south of France
Experience holistic living and help us with household projects in Saurat, France