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Join our family restoring a 16th century château in Midi-Pyrenees, South of France

  • Favourited 472 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a Christian family renovating a château in the south of France. Our family consists of me, my husband, our three children, four cats and Belle the dog. We work hard to restore this beautiful place but we also take time to enjoy the beauty that this part of France has to offer.

    Both my husband and I travelled extensively over the years. We would be happy to recommend places and if possible tell you more about countries you might be interested to visit if we have been there before. Equally we would love to hear about your travels and recommendations.

    The château is 800m from a beautiful swimming lake surrounded by mountains. We have historical roman sites within 8kms from our home and the border to Spain is less than an hour's drive away. Lots of caves, waterfalls, mountain walks, beautiful gorges, etc. in the area. Our market town is 10-15 mins by foot with two supermarkets, bakeries, cafe's, etc. and the bigger towns are a 15 min drive away. There is also a train station about 15-20 mins walk away.

    The renovation is still a work in progress and we have some local artisans assisting us but would love someone to help with gardening, painting, wallpapering, tidying building supplies and sweeping up after a day's work. We are open to discuss other jobs like pouring concrete, etc.

    We offer a private room, often with a private bathroom. However during busy times bathrooms might need to be shared. We are happy to share meals and have daily conversation, but just as happy if you prefer to do your own thing.

    Sundays are generally our days when we go hiking or sightseeing ourselves with our children so no work will be expected from you on a Sunday. You will be welcome to join us on our outing (we have a 7-seater vehicle).

    Any questions please feel free to ask.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We could take you around the local sites and teach you about the history of the château (it was home to Baron de Sauvan who was a bodyguard to King Louis XVI). We can offer English, Afrikaans and some French language practise (French is not our first language but we are conversational)

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    We generally want some help with DIY (wallpapering and plastering for example) gardening, painting, feeding of animals (domestic pets only), some creative ideas.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    Afrikaans: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    German: Intermediate
    French: Intermediate
    Dutch: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    We speak conversational French but would like to improve more. I also speak some German, Dutch and Flemish. We can teach English and Afrikaans.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Private room, often with private bathroom but bathrooms might need to be shared if lots of workawayers at the same time.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Workers can visit the town which has a lively market every Monday or visit the local roman sites. There is a swimming lake 800m from the château, there are various caves to explore in the area, travel to Spain for the day, go rock-climbing, canoeing, etc. We love to go hiking around the mountains every weekend or in a nearby gorge where it is possible to swim in the cold mountain water.

  • 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

    We have space for large campervans or motorhomes.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    One dog which has to be used to cats.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 329815552882

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Accuracy of profile: (4.8)

Cultural exchange: (4.9)

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