Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Feb 2023
Feedback
8
Email verified
Badges (1)
Details
Description
Hello,
We are Hans, Suzanne and our little daughter Feline (2 years) from Holland and we have found a magnificent piece of land in the south of France where we work on our dream: a small ecological tourist project. In total, we build 4 little houses of strawbales and earth. We are looking for positive people who would like to help wih our project and who would like to learn how to constuct a house with little money and ecological materials.Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningDIY and building projectsCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp with Eco ProjectsUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
In the first place, people can have a nice time here. You can enjoy the very beautiful situation of our land on the foothills of the Pyrenees. It is situated right in the pays Cathares (Cathares land), where you can visit castles, ruins, the mountains, pristine forrests, a big lake at 4 km, the beautiful small town of Mirepoix...
Moreover, we are happy to explain how we prepared and realized our project and how to do all the different aspects of building an ecological house. This might inspire you to execute your own plans or dreams and may help you to learn the skills needed for these goals.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
At this moment, our first house is finished. We are very pIeased with the result. (see the photo's) At this moment, we are working on the second house. This is a short overview of what we will be doing the next months:
- Applying an earthen plaster
- Applying lime plaster
- Installing the electical system
- Installing the water system
- Making a beautiful garden
- Installing teh bathroom
- Installing the kitchen
- Building a retainer wall
- etc etc
Because of the small surface of the house (60m2), the results show quickly and the activities change relatively fast. Apart from the actual activities, we are also very willing to explain how we realised to:
- find a beautiful building plot
- how to cope with all the legal stuff (permits, rules, codes, etc)
- how to build a house for 15.000 euro of materials and where to find these materials
Working on an ecological house is a very pleasing activity to do and is relatively easy to do. You need no experience, although it will surely help. We are patient people and we like to explain everything that is needed. You do need to know that most of the work is outside and includes mostly physical work.
The project is a 'positive' project: positive vibes, eat well, music, drinks, the incredible view on the Pyrenees..Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: FluentAccommodation
For our guests, we have a lovely caravan at their disposition. It is well equiped: a comfortable 2 persons bed, kitchen, heating system, water, electricity, etc.. Of course we also have a warm shower, toilet and internet. You can also put your tent our your van in our garden, there is plenty of space!
We offer you all the meals of the day. We both love cooking and we eat well and healthy. We don't expect a minimum or maximum of help from you, we rather believe in common sense. That also means that everybody shares in doing the household (preparing the meals, groceries, sometimes looking after our daughter)What else ...
We are really situated in a really natural environment. You can go for beautiful walks, take a bike, swim in the lake or river, rock climbing, etc etc. Culturally, we are in what used to be the 'Pays Cathares'. You can visit castles, caves and some lovely little villages and even ski or snowboard (30 min drive) from januari - april!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (7)
Merci Beaucoup to you all
All the Best
Linnea
Photos
Feedback
Merci Beaucoup to you all
All the Best
Linnea
Hans was an extremely informative workaway host. He always explained everything he was doing and really helped you learn how to build this style of home. He told us the hours he works and said we could work however we feel but I felt he was implying we should work as he does. (8 hours a day).
The family was lovely and their… read more
We built the wooden frame for the second house and it was such satisfying work as you can see the progress farily quick. If I have a look at the pictures I took on the first day and the last day it is just amazing what we have done in this three weeks. I also dug some drains and they work… read more