Join our home for art and ecology at the foothills of the Pyrenees, Bénac, France

Details

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  Description

  *We are active, yet we cannot respond to all requests
  **We are open to partnerships & collaborations on the long-term
  ***Please indicate your desired timeframe and tell us a bit about yourself & any relevant info in your own words
  ****We cannot help with visa application processes at this time
  
  Welcome to our home, a center for Art & Ecology
  A place to create, to grow and to rejuvenate​ with humble reverence and reciprocity to our natural world. We are currently working on our vision and mission and not yet open, but we can welcome visitors and helpers to join our collective of between 6 and 10 people and many animals :D
  
  Sitting at the majestic foothills of the Pyrenees in the southwest of France, this will be an artist residency and a slow living sanctuary for crafters, agroecologists, and nature-enthusiasts seeking a home on the road.​​​ ​
  
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  THE VISION; A place to practice slow living, connect with nature and our natural selves, and allow regenerative systems, creativity, and self-expansion to blossom.
  
  A farm, residency and refuge dedicated to the intersection of art and ecology. Spread across 11 hectares of rolling meadow and woods, you'll find a place where ecological artists, curious spirits and mindful cultivators can come together to actualize a shared vision for ecological, intentional living. ​We represent a multicultural, multi-specied, diverse bunch of souls and our collective success is rooted in the harmonization of each individual's unique gifts in the whole system.
  
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  OUR MISSION is to steward land and shared resources through holistic, regenerative, non-extractive practices that align with natural rhythms and support artistic expression, while cultivating a culture of collaboration, integrity, and long-term resilience.
  
  The motivation behind what we do is to live and work in remembrance of how human culture can be embedded in ecology – where creativity arises organically from connection to nature, well-tended land, regulated nervous systems, and a culture that values presence over output. Through adopting a practice and philosophy of ''slow living,' productivity is measured by continuity, health, and coherence over time rather than maximum financial gain. The core of our practice here is to align our project goals with our values through the work that we do, and to find joy in our work in a way that is sustainable. We will exemplify this through our foundational projects; sculpture gardens of living & edible arts, a boutique farmstand of slowly crafted goods, adopting a practice of slow farming and hosting residencies, courses & gatherings.​ (All currently being built)
  
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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Dancing

  

  Farming

  

  Sustainability
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  There's ample learning potential in all the areas mentioned above as well as a rich regional culture focused on traditional, grounded ways of life. Our animals are our top priority and we try to keep work hours fun, drama-free and open to learning. We also enjoy bonfires, jams, shared meals, movie nights, dancing, the arts, and this is principally why we want to host workers on site and what we want to share.
  
  The surrounding areas of Ariege are full of local culture & arts, both traditional and alternative, as well as gorgeous natural scenery and activities. Music and the arts, events in nature, and dances happen nearly every day around us. It's artsy yet rooted here, (not so modern), and we like that about it. Markets are daily occurrences where you're likely to find ample local farmers selling organic produce alongside artisanal crafts of all kinds. They're full of impressive and inspiring artisans and farmers.. it is the main reason why we chose to stay here!

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Help us around the chateau and gardens... you can help in the areas you're interested in whether that be with the animals, helping to prepare food, helping with natural materials, gardening or keeping spaces pleasant feeling.
  
  The help needed is completely non-profit and no help with present or future business activities or paying guests will be required.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Spanish: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  As an international house in France, we welcome all languages but will carry out meetings and instructions in English. Most of us also speak at least one other language representing French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and probably some others.
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  Accommodation

  Private, spacious and clean room in the chateau with a double/queen bed, work desk, gardens or south facing views, heating, ensuite private bathroom, shared kitchen or private kitchenette
  
  Mealplan
  - an inclusive lunch prepared for everyone to eat together Monday through Thursday
  - high quality organic & local produce and dried goods supplied to kitchens

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  What else ...

  We are in a rural area so having your own mode of transportation is recommended, though public bus or hitchhiking is a popular option. To get to us, Toulouse airport & train station are 1 hour train ride from Foix, where we can pick you up. There is also a good connection to Barcelona (3.5 hrs drive/ 5 hours train through Andorra ~€30 total)

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  MUST be well trained and not pose a threat to other farm animals (other dogs, cats, free-range chickens and ducks, sheep and alpacas, horses). We have 2 livestock guardian pups and can introduce them to new dogs off the property, provided they are calm, respectful and won't provoke.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Leia & Loki

  

  Charlie

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