The image depicts a serene small town nestled among mountains, featuring a cluster of buildings with terracotta roofs and a prominent stone tower in the distance.
The image depicts a group of five men and a dog posing for a photo on a balcony with a mountainous backdrop under a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a man and woman walking on a dirt path in the woods, accompanied by a small dog, surrounded by trees and greenery.
The image depicts a serene backyard with a pool, greenhouse, and lush greenery, featuring a stone pathway, patio furniture, and a picturesque mountainous backdrop.
The image shows four women sitting at a table, each with an orange drink in a wine glass with a black straw, in what appears to be a restaurant or bar.
The image depicts a man standing in front of a majestic waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and rugged rocks, with the waterfall cascading down the rocky slope behind him.
The image depicts a man standing in a grassy field with his arms outstretched, wearing a black t-shirt, shorts, and hat, with mountains visible in the background under a blue sky.
A woman kneels on the floor of a room with a large pile of folded linens, a laundry basket, and a bookshelf filled with books in the background.
The image depicts a serene village scene with a river flowing through it, surrounded by lush greenery and buildings, set against a clear blue sky.
A man is sitting in an olive tree, wearing a black t-shirt and shorts, with his hands raised, set against a blue sky with white clouds.
A man stands on a ladder, painting the underside of a roof overhang with a paintbrush, in front of a house with glass doors and windows.
The image depicts a charming small town nestled in the mountains, featuring a stone bridge over a river, quaint houses, and lush greenery, set against a picturesque backdrop.
updated  

Learn new skills and explore nature in the stunning location of Mauleon Barousse, France

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    23 Apr 2025

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    88.9 %

    Usually responds within 3 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    43

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi, I'm Simon and 7 years ago me and my partner (now ex) and my late brother decided to move from the UK to France.
    We bought an Aparthotel in the beautiful Pyrenean village of Mauleon-Barousse with the intention of running it as a family business. However post-Covid a lot has changed, we have now converted the building into 11 apartments which are being sold to private buyers it is no longer a hotel.
    This is no longer a commercial enterprise it is now my home and that's where I need help.

    Previously, my brother used Workaway to host helpful workers, and it has been nothing but a positive experience, a trend which I have continued.
    However without trying or indeed realising it had happened, I have accidentally built a community. Something I am now extremely proud of.
    There are a number of volunteers who have made this their second home and return on a regular basis. A read of my feedback will explain all.
    There is always a mix of long standing workaways back for the 5th 6th or 7th time or ones that came for 3 weeks and a year later are still here along with first timers.
    We are a community of like minded people from all walks of life, mixed genders, mixed abilities, all trying to live an honest life in tune with nature and the mountains.
    We are vegetarians (if you are vegan we can cater for that) and one of the projects this year is to build our own organic veg and herb gardens. We have a lot of land and we need to use it.
    Every member of the community is responsible for one thing it could be cooking, it could be looking after the dogs and cats it could be animal husbandry or growing the veg.
    New volunteers get to work along side existing ones and learn how to do what we do. Skills that are going to be invaluable in your future.
    I'm looking to have between 3-6 volunteers here at any one time.

    I am currently looking for volunteers who really love animals especially dogs and cats and would be happy to look after them on the days I am not here.

    The community tasks this year also include .....
    Conservation, gardening, creating organic veg and herb gardens, bee keeping, cooking and some painting and decorating after careless volunteers have left lol.

    This is a great place to volunteer, I provide great accommodation a chilled environment and good food and drink. Set in stunning countryside a great place to de stress and unwind after your chores are completed.
    You will make many friends here, indeed some have fallen in love.

    You will arrive a volunteer, "if" you leave, you will leave a friend.

    In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, classic cars and animals (if you come and stay with me you'll see just how much I love animals).

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
    House sitting
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You will find yourself in the laughably perfect little village of Mauleon-Barousse, amidst the rolling hills of the Pyrenees. Explore historic churches and towns, get lost in the lush green nature of the French countryside and improve your French.

    Work-wise, there is a lot to learn here, from mowing grass and trimming hedges to growing organic veg.'
    I love to cook, and will hopefully be able to show you a thing or two (and maybe learn a thing or two as well :)
    This is a vegetarian household, I do cook fish but if you wish to eat meat you will need to provide it.

    I look forward to meeting you!!

  • Help

    Help

    I am looking for motivated and practical individuals to help with gardening, conservation (river bank management) some decorating but I also need people good with animals.
    I have 3 dogs and 2 cats so it is ESSENTIAL you like, understand and love animals otherwise you wont enjoy it; there is always something to do! From fencing to hedge trimming and animal husbandry.

    I am looking for volunteers that want to stay AT LEAST FOR ONE MONTH (this is important for you to both learn skills but also feel the community vibe) and are patient and reliable, if you have some experience with caring for animals it will be considered a bonus.

    I expect 5 hours of help a day, 5 days a week in exchange for accommodation and food.
    We don't have a very strict work schedule, and I like to give you the freedom to decide for yourself when to help. However, occasionally when there are big tasks that require many people, or when time-sensitive tasks are involved I might ask you to work outside your own schedule. On the other hand, if there are times that are very inconvenient for you, please tell me. Communication is the key for good teamwork.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    I am happy to teach English and would be interested in improving my very poor French

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Every volunteer gets a comfy bed it may be a dormitory it may be a private room depending on the time of year. There is a shared kitchen, available to everyone. This is where we all cook. While we tend to have breakfast individually, I like to have lunch and dinner together with everyone and share stories.
    While I enjoy cooking, I always appreciate when the volunteers prepare something, as I love to try new dishes. I have no problem in hosting vegans. I provide all the food that you want (unless it's very excessive) except meat.
    I like to drive over to Spain to do the shopping, so I can give you a ride and you can have a look around there :)

    There is a washing machine and wifi. You will also (weather permitting of course) have access to a pool, patio spaces and all the animals you could wish for.

    We are a social group and we like to play games make music or watch films together in an evening.
    We regularly take trips out together.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    If you enjoy cycling, walking, breathtaking scenery and clean air then this is the place for you. There is also tennis and fishing available in the village as well as a swimming pool on site.

    We are very close to the Port de Bales, a 19km climb uphill the mountain, used several times as a Tour de France etappe, which ends at 1800m above sea level with a stunning views around and the starting point to several hiking trails.

    There is a little grocery shop just around the corner that also has fresh bread every day except Mondays. For everything else you need a car or lift a ride to the next bigger town, Montrejeau, or across the border into Spain. If you have a valid drivers license we can talk about you using my car (but it might also depend on other factors, just ask). I'm always more than happy to give you a lift to anywhere you want to go. There is also BlaBlaCar, a ride sharing network, which is very well-known here in France.

    If you arrive by train, you should get off in Montrejeau train station, from where I will pick you up (almost) any time a day.

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    There is wifi acess

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have a big parking space on the property and there is also a campervan-parking areo in the village right next to the river, a 5 minute walk away from the building.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We have dogs and cats so as long as your furry friend is friendly we can talk.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 347271979536

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Photos

The image depicts a serene small town nestled among mountains, featuring a cluster of buildings with terracotta roofs and a prominent stone tower in the distance.
The image depicts a group of five men and a dog posing for a photo on a balcony with a mountainous backdrop under a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a man and woman walking on a dirt path in the woods, accompanied by a small dog, surrounded by trees and greenery.
The image depicts a serene backyard with a pool, greenhouse, and lush greenery, featuring a stone pathway, patio furniture, and a picturesque mountainous backdrop.
The image shows four women sitting at a table, each with an orange drink in a wine glass with a black straw, in what appears to be a restaurant or bar.
The image depicts a man standing in front of a majestic waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and rugged rocks, with the waterfall cascading down the rocky slope behind him.
The image depicts a man standing in a grassy field with his arms outstretched, wearing a black t-shirt, shorts, and hat, with mountains visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a serene village scene with a river flowing through it, surrounded by lush greenery and buildings, set against a clear blue sky.
A man is sitting in an olive tree, wearing a black t-shirt and shorts, with his hands raised, set against a blue sky with white clouds.
A man stands on a ladder, painting the underside of a roof overhang with a paintbrush, in front of a house with glass doors and windows.
The image depicts a charming small town nestled in the mountains, featuring a stone bridge over a river, quaint houses, and lush greenery, set against a picturesque backdrop.

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:
(4.7)

Communication:
(5.0)

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