France
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Available now (2021) until January 23 and then from February 8
We are currently looking for help to assist with renovation and building tasks and also for in the house as Sue is wheelchair bound. We would prefer mature volunteers minimum 20 years old who can do manual work and any building or decorating experience would be a plus. We are a British family (from Scotland and Jersey) living in an old farmhouse half way between Saint Malo and Rennes in Brittany. We have started restoring a traditional 19th Century cob (earth) bake house and also converting another stone and cob building into a gite (holiday cottage) with the help of Workawayers and the work is going very well. We do all our own renovation and construction with the help of friends. We have a gite (holiday cottage) and a B&B apartment which volunteers are welcome to use and there is also a pool and jacuzzi. Our family consists of Dave and Sue, our son Mike, 4 border collies who are trained for dog agility and Frank, the cat. We speak French and English and Dave is an English language teacher. The house is 1 kilometer from the village , which has a shop, a bar and a canal. This is a very popular tourist area with lots to do and see. Mont St Michel, Dinan, Combourg and Dol are all nearby and the Normandy landing beaches are 2 hours away.
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
This is a beautiful part of France, rich in culture and history with lots of places to see and visit like Mont St Michel, Saint Malo, Dinan and Rennes. There are lots of beaches, castles, pretty villages, ancient sites and you can explore on bikes using the canal towpaths. You can improve your English or French and join in with art, crafts and Yoga.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We need help restoring our 19th Century "Bread Oven" which consists of a small cottage with cob (earth) walls and a huge fireplace and oven that was used to supply bread to the neighbourhood. The walls need repairing, as do the timbers and the roof, using traditional building methods where possible. Dave and Mike are both experienced builders and can provide training where necessary. Most of the help is straightforward and no special skills are required. We are looking forward to baking our first batch of bread and buns.
If it is raining we have jobs to finish inside and we have begun renovating an old workshop and changing it into a holiday cottage. Also there is always lots of housework to be done apart from building and we especially enjoy cooking. As Sue is wheelchair bound she is unable to do a lot of the chores.
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
We have a one bedroom apartment and a one bedroom gite (holiday cottage) both of which are available to workawayers. Meals are provided and we eat together as a family.
There are lots of markets and vide greniers (car boots) in the area. You can borrow bikes and tour the area along the canal towpaths. We go for walks with the dogs and there is a weekly art group and pantomime rehearsals. We have an old car available to borrow for drivers over 25 with a valid licence.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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Cultural exchange:
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