Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
21 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 8 days
Feedback
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Details
Description
We're a family of 3 (plus young dog and cat!) who have left a busy life in London and purchased a beautiful farmhouse in the French countryside.
Our Project:
We're combining both of our passions (nature and relationships) and creating an ecolieu where Reg can host couples for intensive relationship therapy retreats, 'babymoons' and marriage preparation retreats. We will also be creating a multipurpose space that will allow us to receive groups for week long workshops (e.g. yoga, capoeira, etc). The intention is to eventually have space where eco-culture and people meet and where our clients can reconnect with themselves and with nature. All of the business and business operations are managed by Reg and Alex with no input from the Workawayers. Reg currently works from home in private practice and is hoping to run a retreat with a colleague towards the end of the year.
A little bit about our place:
The property was a real 'coup de coeur'. It is in the middle of woods spread over almost 19,000m2 and consists of a farmhouse (built in the 1700s?) and an *enormous* barn. On the land, we're looking to set up a sustainable space complete with a veggie patch, forest garden and natural swimming pool (from rainwater collection).
A little bit about us:
Alex (44) is half French/ English and has a background in engineering and energy policy work. He worked for years supporting the low-carbon energy transition and is a passionate advocate for the environment. He is a keen capoeirista (Brazilian martial art), an ok chef and dreams of rewilding!
Regina (35) is half British/Brazilian and grew up in Bermuda. She is a sex and relationship therapist and enjoys conversations about all things life and love. An animal lover and mostly vegan, Reg is also keen to tap into her more creative side (mural painting for example!).
Zoe (3) is a very happy and smiley little kid who is learning new words everyday and sometimes how do to tantrums although she is not a pro (yet?). She likes to run, dance and paint and is a big apple sauce fan!
Talba (2) is our australian shepherd/border collie/spaniel mix and makes the energiser bunny look like a tired 70yr old... beyond the endless energy and enthusiasm she is very gentle and has zero aggression. She will love you if you play fetch with her...
Marley (4) is our adopted cat. He is a purr machine and will sit on your lap if you do not stop him...
NB : we'll be adopting some old battery hens this year too!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Politics / Social justice
Self development
LGBTQ
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Pets
DIY & crafts
Carpentry
Plant care
Writing
Languages
Books
Cooking & food
Astronomy
Animals
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Dancing
Fitness
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Between us we speak 5 languages ( French, English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian) and we have lived and travelled to many places.
We welcome engaging and thoughtful conversations about all topics but specifically we can offer insights around relationships, conflict, communication, grief, identity and sexual/relational health, capoeira, sustainability, energy transition & DiY.
We are always keen to learn new skills/techniques that we can employ to make our home and family a more harmonious space!
Au Pair Help
Further details can be found here
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Alex is the property manager and is often seen with his tool belt!
We're not after any specialist help (athough this is most welcome!) but do ask that you come in with a willingness to learn. Outdoor tasks like tending veggie patch or planting flowers go a long way in helping us out in our day to day. Alex is a keen amateur and lover of all things gardening, permaculture, carpentry and sustainable design. He's keen to share his knowledge ( and learn more from our guests) in these areas (as i have lots to lean so expertise in any of these areas even more welcome!).
Reg is the wider home manager and is often seen researching a tasty new recipe or a fun activity for Zoé.
If you're keen to learn about vegetarian /vegan cooking (and a wider sustainable lifestyle), Reg is happy to talk through, share recipes and experiences. We also love experiencing food from different countries and welcome guests to share some of their culinary skills/flare with us. Also, Reg is committed to creating a home that looks and feels like the inside of our hearts - which means bright, colourful, and vibrant . Helping Reg around the kitchen is always welcome - from putting away the dishes or sweeping the floor ( the floor gets a lot of love between the cat, dog, Alex's muddy boots and Zoe!). Taking Talba for a walk is a real treat as is sharing your language/culture with all of us ( especially Zoé who is a mini sponge!!)
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Italian: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
Alex - learning Portuguese (very slowly!) , happy to help with English & French Reg - keen to improve French, happy to help with English, Spanish & Portuguese Zoe - a baby sponge and keen to give her exposure to different languages and cultures
Accommodation
You'd be staying in our main house and where you'll stay depends on availability/how long you stay:
- ground floor with double bedroom, individual kitchen/bathroom and lounge space
OR
- top floor with double or single bedroom, shared bathroom and using our living/kitchen space
We will provide bed linen and towels but you will need to provide your own toiletries . You can of course use our washing machine as needed.
Food:
We share 2 meals a day ( lunch and dinner) and will provide you with breakfast foods (cereals, tea/coffee/juice etc..). Reg might make her delicious vegan banana bread / berry muffins too :) We really enjoy our meal times with Workaway guests - Reg loves a deep and meaningful conversation ( DMC) and Alex enjoys playing 'devil's advocate' - meal times are a chance to connect, share, grow and learn. We also have board games/cards if you ever wany to have a game night!
*Please note that we're a flexitarian house but eat mostly vegetarian/vegan*
What else ...
On your time off you can :
- Explore the local area (Archigny, Pleumartin, La Roche Posay and Angles sur L'Anglin) are a short cycle/drive away ( from 5 - 20 mins drive/ 15 - 1 hour cycle)
- Weekend trip to Paris or Bordeaux ( each a 1.5 hr train ride away)
- Spa treatment at La Roche Posay thermal spa
- Visit the Futuroscope theme park (Poitiers - 40 min drive)
- Go for a swim in local rivers and lakes
Transport:
We have bicycles available for use and there is plenty of parking space.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We now have fibre optic broadband (yay!) You will need to be flexible about where you work/connect to the internet as signal does not capture throughout the house.
Space for parking camper vans
Basically anywhere in the field, a direct water connections a bit complicated whilst it is freezing and we'd need to work out power connection if this is needed.
Can possibly accept pets
Cats and Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome . Not sure how Marley (cat) will be with other felines but we can work around it.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (14)
I spent three wonderful weeks with them, which felt like a fleeting moment. During my stay, I helped with various tasks such as renovating the bathroom, tending to the garden, weeding certain grass plots, and making little trinkets for their wedding.
Alex and Regina are… read more
Alex spent most of his time with Alex during his stay and Alex SO appreciated his support, knowledge and experience. There are a lot of things Thomas did… read more
Valentina stayed with us for 3 weeks from mid January - early February and her contributions included keeping an eye on Zoe, helping us keep things tidy (including giving the car interior some much needed TLC) , helping Alex with an array of… read more
From the moment I arrived, Alex and Regina… read more
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:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
I spent three wonderful weeks with them, which felt like a fleeting moment. During my stay, I helped with various tasks such as renovating the bathroom, tending to the garden, weeding certain grass plots, and making little trinkets for their wedding.
Alex and Regina are… read more
Alex spent most of his time with Alex during his stay and Alex SO appreciated his support, knowledge and experience. There are a lot of things Thomas did… read more
Valentina stayed with us for 3 weeks from mid January - early February and her contributions included keeping an eye on Zoe, helping us keep things tidy (including giving the car interior some much needed TLC) , helping Alex with an array of… read more
From the moment I arrived, Alex and Regina… read more
The experience was everything I had hoped for, from spending introspective time in nature to getting my… read more
The beginning of my 2 weeks I needed some time to open up and realize the fact that I am with some random strangers in France. That I got sick was also pretty annoying, but I got through with it, especially because Reg and Alex cared a lot about my… read more
From the first encounter on, they were very open-hearted and welcoming. Marley (cat) and Talba (dog) always enjoyed some belly rubs and all of them ( Zoe as well) are really easy-going and cute.
We stayed in an apartment in their house, where we had a lot of space. On top of that, the… read more
During my stay, I spent most of my time working with Alex. He is a very kind person and extremely good in explaining and teaching things in a very clear and understanding way. I did a lot of different things: Sanding the garden furniture, mowing the lawn,… read more
Susannah was such a warm, kind presence from the moment she arrived ( lugging her *microscopic* suitcase). That warmth and kindness continued to radiate throughout her stay and we're so, SO grateful for the time she spent with us here. Not just insofar as her help with the gite renovation (sanding, painting etc) but also with our… read more
I truly and thoroughly enjoyed all of my time with them. I found them to be awesome people and an inspiring team. Zoé is a fantastic… read more
There were a wide array of carpentry projects to get through, and because Alex has a background in construction it was great having someone with… read more
Alex and Reg taught me so much, and were so kind all throughout my stay. I had the lovely opportunity of staying with them for a month, and I learned so much. We worked outside on the land, as well as inside renovating a new… read more
Sadie is a wonderful, kind, respectful, curious, friendly, gentle soul who would be most welcome to stay with us at any point in the future. She is an asset to any space she occupies and I wish the absolute best for her on her journey.
Sadie… read more
