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Help put the finishing touches to our Chalet in Rhône-Alpes, France

France
Last activity : 10 Jan 2025

Profile information

Host rating
80 %
Last replied
13 Oct 2024
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 13 days
Feedback
26
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Email verified

Badges (3)

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Availability

2025

Min stay requested: No minimum

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What's this?

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Description
I m mountain guide and I build a house for my children. My wife and I built 4 houses before ! We know that difficulties. We are living in very nice place in a big chalet. We want to be helped by persons who travell and like to discover country. We sailed accross the ocean a long time ago and we were woofers in spain and france with our 2 children.

je suis guide de montagne et jeconstruit un chalet pour mes enfants dans le village. Avec mon épouse nous avons déjà construit 4 maisons, nous connaissons les difficultés ! Nous vivons dans un très beau village, dans un chalet de 5 chambres, les enfants sont grands. Nous souhaitons etre aidés par des personnes qui voyagent et qui aiment découvrir du pays.
Nous avons navigué en voilier il y a longtemps et nous avons fait du woofing en france et en espagne avec nos enfants chez des gens qui sont devenus nos amis.
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
My wife and I travelled a lot, we teached our children when they were young. We like to know different culture soyou can have a good cultural expérience and discover french culture. You can learn new technic of building and traditionnal to, I m mountain guide and I can explain and practice a lot of technics.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
I built my house, the fourth, I know I need helphand and I can explain the work. The house is in wood, the roof is finish and I want to close it before winter. Building is not very difficult, the work dangerous is finish. I can explain and I m sure you can if you like. Now we work with wood and insulation in woodfiber.
Languages
Languages spoken
Catalan: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
A bedroom in our big chalet, 5 bedrooms , but our bathroom. Wifi, tv ,place for yoga or pilates, fire place, garden, just near a wood, wiew of the village 200m from center.
What else ...
We were woofers in france and spain for a long time, we know that is to be a volunteer. So we respect people, and want an exchange. The village is famous for mountain and ski, 2500 pers live here , there is a lot of association and nature is preserve.
We live simply and play sports and guitare. We eat organic food and a little meat, not a lot of alcool.
I want to speak english and I think it s absolutely necessairy ! I speak spanish to.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two

Host ref number: 263776557412

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Feedback (13)

15 Jul 2019

Left by Workawayer (Lucio) for host

I had a great time with Jean-Matthieu, Emmanuelle and Nino! they are a wonderful family and a better host. They helped me with everything I needed and they had patience helping me with my French. I couldn't ask for a better first workaway host. I did lots of things I've never done before like via ferrata, canyoning and speleology and I loved them.… read more

(Excellent )

26 Feb 2019

Left by Workawayer (MATIAS & CRISTINA) for host

Jean-Mat and Manue they're an amazing person, we have the great experience with them for a week, we learn many things about food, music, french and constructions. They're a a great example of a couple we love to share moments with them. We would like to see you again around. Love and sorry for being late with your feedback. cheers. Cris and Mati

(Excellent )

3 Dec 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Malen Soledad)

Nous avons passé 3 super semaines avec Malen, nous avons apprécié son entrain au travail, son application et elle a su s'adapter à notre rythme. Merci pour tout le travail accompli au chantier.
Nous espérons que des progrès en français se feront sentir suite à ces 3 semaines ! Nous avons beaucoup parlé espagnol et cela faisait longtemps que nous… read more

(Excellent )

1 Dec 2018

Left by Workawayer (Malen Soledad) for host

Manu and Jean are excellent hosts !! We spent three amazing weeks with them in their cozy home in the beautiful city of Samoëns. The work was very funny, always something new to do Jean willing to teach us everything, thanks for the patience! The half-morning coffee every day, before finishing the work was a very pleasant gesture.
We learned a lot… read more

(Excellent )

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15 Jul 2019

Left by Workawayer (Lucio) for host

(Excellent)

26 Feb 2019

Left by Workawayer (MATIAS & CRISTINA) for host

(Excellent)

3 Dec 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Malen Soledad)

(Excellent)

1 Dec 2018

Left by Workawayer (Malen Soledad) for host

(Excellent)

8 Jun 2018

Left by Workawayer (Mélanie) for host

J'ai passé un séjour avec Jean-Mathieu et Emmanuelle. Le travail était un grand plaisir. Ils ont beaucoup d'experience de constuire. On avait fait plein de choses ensamble les après-midis ou les soirs. Pendant les repas, il faut dire qu'on mange très bien, Emanuelle et Jean-Mathieur sont des personnes qui ont beaucoup d' histoires intéréssantes de… read more

(Excellent)

5 Jun 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Mélanie)

We are very happy to have a new friend, who's name Melanie ! Very good job on our construction site and at home, but the most important, happy atmosphere !
Nous sommes tres content d'avoir une nouvelle amie qui s'appelle Mélanie ! Super travail sur notre chantier et à la maison, mais le plus important, une joyeuse ambiance !
Bon voyage et à… read more

(Excellent)

11 Dec 2017

Left by Workawayer (Martyn) for host

A very good week spent with Jean-Matt and Manu at my first workaway in their wonderful home. We worked normally 4 hours a day, and was happy to enjoy healthy, organic and delicious home cooked meals! A lot of time was spent playing guitar/ukulele by the fire, exchanging French and English and chatting. We were lucky to be taken out on a via… read more

(Excellent)

28 Oct 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Jennifer)

We spend a very good and interesting week with Jenny.
A real pleasure for Hosts, good job in the morning and activities afternoon, and the most important for us, a good sharing and discussion.
And maybe one time we go to visit her own region !
And you are welcome again.

(Excellent)

25 Oct 2017

Left by Workawayer (Jennifer) for host

I had the most wonderful week with Jean-Matieu and Emmanuelle. They are a very kind and welcoming couple who made me feel very at home. We spent mornings at the house building, I had no previous experience building but Jean-Matieu was very patient and explained everything very clearly, I felt very safe and enjoyed the work. (We spoke English when… read more

(Excellent)

7 Jul 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Andrew)

Andrew is a very pleasant person, at home we spoke about different subjects and we we worked it was a good time. Some young friends were here at the same time and Andrew was enthusiastic to meet them and discover new activity.
Good luck for hiking and thank you for the bottle of wine.

(Excellent)

22 Jun 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Rob)

We spent a very good week with Rob, he likes mountains and work and the life with us. To speak French is difficult but better for me to speak English !
Have a good trip in south of France Rob and give us news of your hiking .

(Excellent)

27 Apr 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Duncan)

We had a very friendly and interisting week with Duncan, an amazing Workawayer and traveller. He likes live and work with us, he can give a very good help hand in our construction site, with application and precision. He wanted to learn french and his effort is effective, and for us he was a very good english teacher who speaks slowly and simple… read more

(Excellent)

26 Apr 2017

Left by Workawayer (Duncan) for host

I had an absolutely fantastic week with Jean-Mathieu and Manu in Samoens. They are very relaxed and friendly and really make you feel welcome in their home. I predominantly wanted to learn French and this was the perfect place. They were very helpful and patient and by the end of the week I feel my French had improved a lot. The work building the… read more

(Excellent)

25 Dec 2016

Left by Workawayer (Sandra & Victor) for host

We enjoy our first experience in workaway, with Jean Matthew and his family Emanuelle and Marouchka, was a pleasure share time with them. At the begining was a little difficult learn the task that was assigned, but with a bit of effort we can do it and we get with experience that will left with us.
Beautiful place Samoëns, with a lot of places… read more

(Excellent)

20 Dec 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Sandra & Victor)

Sandra and Victor stayed with us for one week and helped us in our construction site, they also made mexican cooking and we share a lot with them. Thank you for this time and for Spanish conversation. We hope a good trip for you and may be one day we will go in Mexico City

(Excellent)

20 Dec 2016

Left by Workawayer (Brian) for host

I had the privelage of staying with Jean-Mathieu, Manue, their daugher Maru and their son Nino for about a month. The town of Samones is incredibly beautiful and oriented to the outdoors, with many day hikes up mountains, and nearby activities. They live a very environmentally conscientious life, and the chalet is built with all natural materials.… read more

(Excellent)

16 Dec 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Brian)

We liked to have Brian at home, he w1s here for long time and learned new skill and teached us english (his personnaly form ?). We hope a good travel and see you in Samoens .

(Excellent)

14 Dec 2016

Left by Workawayer (Allison) for host

I spent 10 days in Samoens working on the construction of a chalet right in the middle of town. Jean Mat, Emmanuelle, and their daughter Maru (so sorry for my awful spelling) were the hosts for the project. Emmanuelle and her daughter were so kind as to drive all the way to pick me up in Geneva when I arrived since there were no busses running on… read more the day I arrived. I was originally only supposed to stay a few days, but I ended up staying 10 because I fell in love with the beauty of the area!

Work on the construction site was not very hard, but a lot was expected of the volunteers. Jean Mat expects perfection, and does not like repeating himself or waiting around, so as long as you come prepared to take the work very seriously and work very hard then you should be fine. Jean Mat does not speak a lot of english, and myself (and the other volunteers) did not speak French, so things would often get lost in translation which could easily be seen as frustrating for both parties. In order to guarantee no mistakes will be made, and work to be most enjoyable, it would be best for any potential volunteers to speak at a high level of french and/or have a background in construction and building. Work started at different times everyday, though usually around 9, and would be between 3.5-5.5 hours. It is very cold in Samoans at this time of year, so it was sometimes hard to work outside for such long hours in the low temperature. Emmanuelle was kind enough to lend me a pair of work boots to make sure my feet didn’t freeze off at the construction site though! It wasn’t always clear if we were expected to work afternoons or weekends, so it was hard to make plans outside of Samoans. We did end up working on the only saturday I was there, but I think it may have been because we were given the tuesday off before to go on a hike Jean Mat had wanted to show us!

They are a very active family, and if you are able to impress Jean Mat with your hard work then he graciously takes you on all sorts of adventures like climbing, and hiking, and caving! You are expected to keep the home very tidy at all times, and they have a very specific way they like to have things done. They always had organic food and homemade meals for us, and most all meals were finished with plenty of chocolate and delicious homemade cheeses!! I wish them the best of luck with their project! Thank you again for having me!

(Good)

8 Dec 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Allison)

Allison leaved today, she was a good Workawayer here, she is very interested, we are not bored with her !
We like cooking she made and she is a good english teacher, she speak very fast american english !
Nous lui souhaitons bon voyage

(Excellent)

4 Dec 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Isabel)

We are very happy for the 10 days with Isabel. She speaks french a little, it was easier for conversation. We like her ideas and we worked well.

(Excellent)

13 Nov 2016

Left by Workawayer (Jasper) for host

I was very happy to be welcomed to the home of Jean-Mat and Manu, in the heart of Samoëns. We would go to the construction site after a good breakfast with cheese and return for lunch before doing another bit in the afternoon. This couple values an exchange of experiences and will not let you work your ass of. I appreciated their broad outlook on… read more

(Excellent)

12 Nov 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Jasper)

Very good time with Jasper. We worked on site construction with difficult weather and worked well ! At home we enjoyed his company.
We hope you good experiences .

(Excellent)

11 Nov 2016

Left by Workawayer (Doug) for host

I had an incredible time with Jean-Mat and Manue! The two weeks I spent with them were amazing and they really made me feel like I was part of the family. Somoens is a beautiful town with lots to offer especially when you are with Jean-Mat and Manue, they know so much about the area and the mountains in general. They took me into a cave and rock… read more

(Excellent)

27 Oct 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Doug)

We are very pleased that the 2 weeks Doug spent with us. We work well together and spent good times.
We will be happy to see him again.

(Excellent)

2 Nov 2016

Left by Workawayer (Daniel & Eugenia) for host

Jean-Mathieu and his wife are extremely nice and lovely people. They live in a wonderful village called Samoens in the french Alps. They have built there house themselves.
The only week we spent with them was full of interesting work (we helped build a new house) - Jean-Mathieu was kind and patient and explained the job. After work we sometimes… read more

(Excellent)

30 Oct 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Daniel & Eugenia)

A good week, we appreciate this meeting, we worked well.

(Very good)

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Help put the finishing touches to our Chalet in Rhône-Alpes, France

Profile information

Host rating

Last replied

Reply rate

Feedback

Facebook verified

Email verified

Badges (3)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Projects involving children

Help

Languages

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

How many Workawayers can stay?

Feedback (13)

Photos

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