Sun, history, culture and outdoor activities in rural St Michel, France

  • Favourited 14 times
  • Last activity: 12 Dec 2022

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a fit and active family with a beautiful manor house and garden on the edge of the Gers in SW of France - Midi Pyrenees. We have a lovely, sociable, well behaved chocolate labrador who would, like us, be delighted to meet you

    The area is full of history and culture and has a wonderful climate being on the border of departments 65 and 32 - just over an hour to the Spanish border. The Tour de France route is nearby and the mountains provide a mecca for cyclists or keen walkers and skiers in the winter.

    The Gers is renowned for sunflowers, armagnac and foie gras and also has a strong commitment to bio, Eco friendly production. From April onward, the area becomes very lively with a wide range of activities including arts and crafts events, flower festivals, markets, brocantes, sports including the tour de France and religious events. There are lots of social activities and clubs including walking, yoga, tai chi, outdoor exercise classes, creative workshops, numerous fetes and of course many wonderful restaurants and bistro's which are now open to everyone who is vaccinated.

    We are looking for someone to help us with our large garden and general maintenance work including some painting/varnishing inside and outside. We can offer you your own private, CH gite, well furnished and comfortable with own kitchen and bathroom in exchange for a maximum of 25 hours work weekly. Additionally, we can offer you excellent parking and if you have a camper van you want to bring with you that would be fine.

    We need someone who is comfortable with using garden machinery, including our ride on mower to mow the grass , our trailer to take rubbish to dechetterie , our strimmer and chain saw to strim and cut back shrubs and help with plants/weeds where needed.

    You will be fit and healthy have a lively, independent, active approach to life and enjoy living in rural south west France with all of it's attractions. You will have plenty of time to pursue your own interests - normally we work mornings until 1pm ish so afternoons and weekends are free and we are flexible should you need to change that routine sometimes.

    You should enjoy company but also value your own privacy and space as you will live independently of us though we are sociable and will encourage you to join in whatever is going on. If you want to learn or improve your English that would be possible or if you are English and want to improve you French there are many opportunities to do so including access to an excellent local French teacher.

    Please get in touch if you feel you may be interested in joining us next year. Good luck with your workaway quest.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    As said previously most of the commune are French so plenty of opportunities to speak the language and also an excellent french teacher nearby. There are a range of cultural and social events and activities available but some restrictions at present for obvious reasons.

  • Help

    Help

    We are pretty open about the type of person who comes to join us. However, you will need to be mature, independent, active and enjoy rural life. Someone who likes animals, regular sunshine, is positive in temperament and open to new experiences in a wonderful part of France would be ideal.

    In terms of practical needs, you must drive, have experience of using garden equipment and be prepared to help with mowing, strimming and general garden and household maintenance for a maximum of 20-25 hrs a week -afternoons and evenings plus weekends are free.

    Anyone with these skills who is wishing to learn or improve their French or English and wants to explore this region and it's remarkable history and culture will be happy here. If you also have a keen interest in cycling, trekking, ski-ing, local landscapes and rural life in SW France then you will be delighted at what is on offer.

    Your need for space and privacy will be respected and you will have your own private accommodation. We do not provide formal regular meals as the gite is self catering but of course you would be welcome to join us when we are cooking or eating outdoors which is most of the summer. There is also the option of joining us and our friends for evening meals.

    Although we are English speaking most of our neighbours are French, so there are plenty of opportunities to learn the language and also an excellent french teacher nearby who will be happy to offer you lessons to suit your needs.

  • Languages spoken

    French: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Well furnished and comfortable 1 double bedroom gite with own bathroom and outdoor sitting space plus lovely views of garden. We will not provide regular meals but you will have your own kitchen and will be welcome to join us for outdoor BBQ's, meals etc. There is also the option of joining other workaways at a nearby venue to share evening meals and activities.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    What you do in your spare time is entirely your choice.

    However, there is a wide range of choice and many tourist attractions in the area The Midi-Pyrénées is a historic region in southern France separated from Spain by the Pyrenees. Its capital, Toulouse, is an architectural paradise. Toulouse is known for its very old university, the aeronautical industry and the Romanesque basilica of Saint-Sernin, a stopover on the pilgrimage route to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Pilgrims also flock to the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Bernadette in 1858.

    The area is surrounded by a host of medieval bastide villages rich in history and full of atmosphere and good eateries. However, it is important to stress that the Midi Pyrénées is essentially a rural area. In fact, apart from the Toulouse hub, it is a very rural area (.The lower lying area in the Haute Garonne, Gers and Tarn departments is one of the richest and most productive agricultural areas of France, producing a variety of crops including maize, sunflowers and wheat.

    The region also has sizeable vineyards, such as in the areas round Gaillac, north of Toulouse, and the Armagnac area, which lies partly in Midi-Pyrenees, partly in Aquitaine. If you love rural France and enjoy its history and culture you will love it here.

    Our village is just 10K from the nearest town of Mirande and about the same from Trie Sur Baise. Both of these market towns are lively and host a continuous range of events throughout the summer. They are easily accessible though public transport is limited.

  • 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

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Large parking space in barn area which can be seen from the gite.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

  • ...

    Hours expected

    20-25max

Host ref number: 247491466616

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