Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 8 days
Feedback
32
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
My husband and I live in a wonderful and quiet place - a "château" - in countryside near a small city (Poitiers) in the south west of France.
We have one female cat called Marquise ; she is 6 years old and a young male called Pepino who is 1 year old !
Both of them are very kind and like hug
If you are interested in learning about organic gardening, this is the place for you.
You will work with our wonderful team, Alexandre, Léa and Olivier. Alexandre (30 years old) is our care-taker and gardener, helped by Léa (26 years old) and Olivier. Because there's a lot to do outside, especially in spring and summer... and automn too !! :))
We will be very pleased to welcome you to be part of our team at our place !!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
A wonderful and peaceful place to learn about permaculture and nature !!
When we are available, we can have dinner together,
I'm always happy to have a helping hand in the kitchen, so that we can share cooking cultures :)
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
You will have hands-on experience of the tasks required to keep the grounds of a château in peak condition.
We use only Bio products and methods. Depending on the time of year you visit us, there will be a variety of different experiences.
Our busiest and, most diverse times being Spring and Autumn.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
I'm really interested in practicing spanish
Accommodation
We provide a comfortable bedroom with ensuite, situated within the château itself.
What else ...
Poitiers is 15 kms away ; it's a lovely medieval city with roman art, a museum, a pedestrianised city center.
No available transport from the "château" ; a station is 5 mn away by car. A car is available for those who have got
driver's licence. The countryside is lovely, green, hilly and you can visit it by bike or on foot. The seaside is 1.30 hour away!
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
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Host ref number: 361534851634
Feedback (16)
24 Jul 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Víctor)
The experience with Victor has been wonderful from the beginning !
Victor is a guy very friendly, it's a big pleasure to speak with him about every thing.
He is courageous and work hard. He spent hours removing weeds from paths around the chateau, with wonderful results !!!
It was a real pleasure to have Victor at home, always in a good mood,… read more
Victor is a guy very friendly, it's a big pleasure to speak with him about every thing.
He is courageous and work hard. He spent hours removing weeds from paths around the chateau, with wonderful results !!!
It was a real pleasure to have Victor at home, always in a good mood,… read more
(Excellent
)
9 Aug 2021
What can I say that hasn't been said before? The time that I have spent at Mireille's has been wonderful, and I have had the chance to practice and improve my French while learning some gardening and delicious recipes from Mireille (I have eaten wonderfully, and learnt some things about wine, thanks to Kaci).
The most remarkable aspect of my… read more
The most remarkable aspect of my… read more
5 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Klaus)
Klaus is a good guy, friendly, discreet, waking up early in the morning to work before the sun gets too hot !
Thank you very much for what you did for the château and your welcome help in the garden !!
Thank you very much for what you did for the château and your welcome help in the garden !!
(Excellent
)
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:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.8)
24 Jul 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Víctor)
The experience with Victor has been wonderful from the beginning !
Victor is a guy very friendly, it's a big pleasure to speak with him about every thing.
He is courageous and work hard. He spent hours removing weeds from paths around the chateau, with wonderful results !!!
It was a real pleasure to have Victor at home, always in a good mood,… read more
Victor is a guy very friendly, it's a big pleasure to speak with him about every thing.
He is courageous and work hard. He spent hours removing weeds from paths around the chateau, with wonderful results !!!
It was a real pleasure to have Victor at home, always in a good mood,… read more
(Excellent
)
9 Aug 2021
Left by Workawayer (Maria) for host
What can I say that hasn't been said before? The time that I have spent at Mireille's has been wonderful, and I have had the chance to practice and improve my French while learning some gardening and delicious recipes from Mireille (I have eaten wonderfully, and learnt some things about wine, thanks to Kaci).
The most remarkable aspect of my… read more
The most remarkable aspect of my… read more
5 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Klaus)
Klaus is a good guy, friendly, discreet, waking up early in the morning to work before the sun gets too hot !
Thank you very much for what you did for the château and your welcome help in the garden !!
Thank you very much for what you did for the château and your welcome help in the garden !!
(Excellent
)
16 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Emma)
I was so pleased to have Emma at home for 3 weeks ! always cheerful, and in a good mood !
Emma participated in family life in a natural way. She liked to cook and bake good vegan food I liked to share with her.
She was confortable and easy going, that's a good quality, also respectful of the home's rules.
David and Alison gave her some works to… read more
Emma participated in family life in a natural way. She liked to cook and bake good vegan food I liked to share with her.
She was confortable and easy going, that's a good quality, also respectful of the home's rules.
David and Alison gave her some works to… read more
(Excellent
)
14 Oct 2019
Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host
My stay at the château was absolutely amazing, and I'm really sad to leave. I was warmly welcomed by Mireille at the train station on the day of my arrival. I could not have wished for a better Workaway stay and cultural exchange. <3
Mireille, you are an amazing and kind woman, and I can't thank you and Kaci enough for the past three weeks. I… read more
Mireille, you are an amazing and kind woman, and I can't thank you and Kaci enough for the past three weeks. I… read more
8 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Andres Felipe) for host
My experience working in the chateau was really great! I did a lot gardening and pruning work. During the afternoons I had time enough for myself and to know the area around the property and nearby towns. The family is very kind and friendly, they like to share time with the volunteers and have healty meals. I absolutely enjoyed the couple of… read more
6 Aug 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Andres Felipe)
What a pleasure to have Andres at home !
An easy going guy, always in a good mood, wanting to help at home as well as working hard in the garden !
Andres told us he was shy, so we helped him to be well in our family and I suppose he felt good.
He worked very hard with our gardeners who were very happy to work with him.
I recommend him very much !!
An easy going guy, always in a good mood, wanting to help at home as well as working hard in the garden !
Andres told us he was shy, so we helped him to be well in our family and I suppose he felt good.
He worked very hard with our gardeners who were very happy to work with him.
I recommend him very much !!
(Excellent
)
7 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Mei) for host
I stayed au château 2 weeks. It was perfect. The chateau is very calm and a lot of nature. I ate a lot of vegetables, fruits from the garden or bio food. The family were very nice .we ate dinner together to have many conversations.
I did watering, cut some branches in the forest, extra...with gardeners (Alison and David) They were always care… read more
I did watering, cut some branches in the forest, extra...with gardeners (Alison and David) They were always care… read more
6 Aug 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Mei)
What a big pleasure to have Mei at home for 2 weeks !
Actually it was too short !
Mei was so communicative, always smiling and very easy going.
Our gardeners who gave her some works to do outside were very happy with her very pleasant attitude and
work.
She asked for help at home too, always wanting to participate.
Mei improvised to be a french… read more
Actually it was too short !
Mei was so communicative, always smiling and very easy going.
Our gardeners who gave her some works to do outside were very happy with her very pleasant attitude and
work.
She asked for help at home too, always wanting to participate.
Mei improvised to be a french… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Jun 2019
Left by Workawayer (Jamie) for host
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Beautiful place, lovely and interesting family, really good hands on work with Dave and Alison (alreet!), gorgeous piano, and the cat's pretty cool too. Seriously though, you won't help but learn something new and appreciate something amazing by coming to this place. It was a shame to leave but I… read more
12 Jan 2019
Left by Workawayer (Alessa) for host
The time with Mireille and her family was really great! They are really warm and just want that you feel confortable. The food is always good and if you want you have the opportunity to cook. The chateau is stunning and the whole property with the garden and the other houses are super interesting and beautiful. The work is really good because you… read more
10 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Thomas & Braley) for host
We had the best summer of our lives at Mireille's. This small village and the chateau are truly beautiful. We found the work to be exciting and rewarding - it's amazing how much we learned from David and Alison about plants, and we loved being able to eat from the garden and use the fresh fruits and vegetables. We were able to explore some of the… read more
4 Aug 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas & Braley)
We were so happy to have Thomas and Braley at home. They are very friendly people, they were extremely helpful during their whole stay, We have had very interesting conversations with them.
I recommend them very warmly.
Thomas and Braley, thank you very very much for your kindness and your job at the Château !
I recommend them very warmly.
Thomas and Braley, thank you very very much for your kindness and your job at the Château !
(Excellent
)
19 Oct 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Esbie)
We were very pleased to have Esbie with us. She was a great workawayer, working hard.
She was very involved in her tasks, asking questions, being curious.
Our gardeners were very satisfied with her being here.
Very discret but very easy going.
I definitely recommand her !
Thank you very much Esbie !
She was very involved in her tasks, asking questions, being curious.
Our gardeners were very satisfied with her being here.
Very discret but very easy going.
I definitely recommand her !
Thank you very much Esbie !
(Excellent
)
17 Jul 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Madeleine & Paige)
Thank you very much Madeleine and Paige for your always very good mood, your smile, your laugh !!
It gave life in the Château !
Thank you because you worked very hard in the garden, in sanding a piece of furniture ! A hard and very dusty work !!
Have a very good continuation in your studies !
It gave life in the Château !
Thank you because you worked very hard in the garden, in sanding a piece of furniture ! A hard and very dusty work !!
Have a very good continuation in your studies !
(Excellent
)
3 Jul 2018
Left by Workawayer (Madeleine & Paige) for host
Working here was nothing less than amazing. Mireille welcomed us with open arms, and Kaci was so inviting when we spent time with him. Thank you for the amazing experiences we were able to have while working here.
While gardening, we spent the majority of our time with David and Alison. David and Alison are hands-down some of the most lovely… read more
While gardening, we spent the majority of our time with David and Alison. David and Alison are hands-down some of the most lovely… read more
26 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Mauricio & Lucas)
First, sorry for my poor english vocabulary, so I won't be very talkative !!...
Mauricio and Lucas stayed at The Château for 1 month, at a moment there's so much to do everywhere, especially outside !!
So, they worked hard from 8 am to 1 pm 5 days a week ! They learned very quickly as David explained them what to do exactly ! They were very… read more
Mauricio and Lucas stayed at The Château for 1 month, at a moment there's so much to do everywhere, especially outside !!
So, they worked hard from 8 am to 1 pm 5 days a week ! They learned very quickly as David explained them what to do exactly ! They were very… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Mauricio & Lucas) for host
The month we spent here was great! The chateau is beautiful, so does it's grounds, the experience of living in such a massive antique place is quite a curious one! Mireille is really nice, even though at first we had some small miss comunications, we got around it and by the end of the month things were running smoothly. She provided great… read more
12 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Ethan)
I was very very pleased to have Ethan at The Bierson. Ethan, an easy going guy, was always in a very good mood, smiling, helpful and working
hard every day, especially with David the gardener ; David was very happy to work with Ethan ; Ethan didn't just
work but thought of things to improve in the property ; so he gave good ideas to David ! We… read more
hard every day, especially with David the gardener ; David was very happy to work with Ethan ; Ethan didn't just
work but thought of things to improve in the property ; so he gave good ideas to David ! We… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Nov 2017
Left by Workawayer (Ethan) for host
Thank you Mireille, David, Allison, and Kaci for a wonderful stay here!
The Chateau and surrounding grounds are beautiful and it was a pleasure to work in Poitiers. The work and schedule were very fair: workawayers are expected to work each weekday from 8:00 to 1:00 with a break. David and Allison do a great job of of making sure the work is… read more
The Chateau and surrounding grounds are beautiful and it was a pleasure to work in Poitiers. The work and schedule were very fair: workawayers are expected to work each weekday from 8:00 to 1:00 with a break. David and Allison do a great job of of making sure the work is… read more
17 Jul 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Craig & Allyson)
Thank you very much Allyson and Krayg for your very good job ! I know that David and Allison (our gardeners) were happy to count on you !
Thank you Krayg because despite your damaged knee, you did your work very well !
watering, painting, cutting edges......
Thank you Allyson for your help in every things ! and thank you very much to both of you… read more
Thank you Krayg because despite your damaged knee, you did your work very well !
watering, painting, cutting edges......
Thank you Allyson for your help in every things ! and thank you very much to both of you… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Jul 2017
Left by Workawayer (Craig & Allyson) for host
Wow, thank you Mireille and Kaci for an amazing experience as our first Workaway! You and your lovely family made us feel so very welcome!
The Chateau and grounds are lovely and the accommodation was great. As a mature couple we very much appreciated our bedroom with ensuite bathroom.
We worked 8-1 Monday to Friday and learned lots of new… read more
The Chateau and grounds are lovely and the accommodation was great. As a mature couple we very much appreciated our bedroom with ensuite bathroom.
We worked 8-1 Monday to Friday and learned lots of new… read more
17 Dec 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (A)
it was a real pleasure to have Aurelio at the château.
Aurelio was very discreet but at the same time very efficient in his work !
He adapted very quickly and did his best in helping with works outside.
Aurelio Thank you very much and I wish you the best for your futur !!
Aurelio was very discreet but at the same time very efficient in his work !
He adapted very quickly and did his best in helping with works outside.
Aurelio Thank you very much and I wish you the best for your futur !!
(Excellent
)
10 Dec 2016
Left by Workawayer (A) for host
Thank you Kaci and Mireille for being perfect hosts and for welcoming me to your beautiful chateaux. I enjoyed the meals that Mirielle provided and I should have asked for so more of those lovely homemade buscuits. Also many thanks for allowing me the use of the car as it allowed me to get to know Poitier even more (good perk). I thoroughly… read more
28 Aug 2016
Left by Workawayer (Daisy) for host
Mireille and Kaci were welcoming and the house and grounds themselves were very lovely. There was always family and friends passing through so there were lots of people to practice french with. I found it hard at first to figure out how much food to take and how much privacy to give the family but by the end I felt a lot more comfortable. The work… read more
25 Aug 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Daisy)
Daisy was at home for 1 month. She was rather reserved at the beginning and didn't want to bother us ! And day after day and week after week, I felt she was more confortable with us and family. She worked a lot her french and I'm sure she improved it very much.
Daisy was very helpful especially in watering garden every day when our gardeners were… read more
Daisy was very helpful especially in watering garden every day when our gardeners were… read more
(Very good
)
10 Aug 2016
Left by Workawayer (Matias) for host
I cannot find the words to describe the experience with Mireille. It was an amazing way to learn French, all the family help me to improve it. They were always well-humoured, kind and open to share their time.
I felt very comfortable spending a week with them and I agree that was a really short week! I still miss the life in the chateau. Thank you… read more
I felt very comfortable spending a week with them and I agree that was a really short week! I still miss the life in the chateau. Thank you… read more
2 Aug 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Matias)
It was a real pleasure to have Matias with us for just 1 week ! It was too short !
Very helpful, kindly, He asked to help us a lot !
Hard worker, He did the work very well and always in good mood !
He was also a good company, open minded, wishing improving his french in exchanges with us.
Very helpful, kindly, He asked to help us a lot !
Hard worker, He did the work very well and always in good mood !
He was also a good company, open minded, wishing improving his french in exchanges with us.
(Excellent
)
11 Jul 2016
Left by Workawayer (Elke) for host
Sorry fort the late replay. I spent two very interesting weeks at the Chateau, Marseille and her husband speak englisch very well wich is great if youre not as confident in french but always try to make you understand the french words first.
We got to use the car so that we could go exploring the area and I absolutely loved la piscine!
Im very… read more
We got to use the car so that we could go exploring the area and I absolutely loved la piscine!
Im very… read more
29 Jun 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Elke)
Elke was very kind, always smiling, cheerful, always willing !
it was a real pleasure to have her at home !
it was a real pleasure to have her at home !
(Excellent
)
5 Jul 2016
Left by Workawayer (Joe-Yen & Stephan) for host
Mireille and her family were friendly and helpful (thank you a lot for your help with the lettre de motivation et cv).
Also we could use their car for some day trips and their swimming pool as well which was very amazing.
We helped 5 days/week 5 hours/day with the gardener couple David and Alison.
Alison and Joey worked in the Potager put all the… read more
Also we could use their car for some day trips and their swimming pool as well which was very amazing.
We helped 5 days/week 5 hours/day with the gardener couple David and Alison.
Alison and Joey worked in the Potager put all the… read more
4 Jul 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Joe-Yen & Stephan)
We were very happy to have Joe-Yen and Stephan at home for 1 month !
They were very discreet and respectful of our privacy and at the same time,
they worked hard in the garden every day, they were very helpful (asking all the time to help us)
at home before and after meals, cleaning in the kitchen !
they were always good-humored, so it was a… read more
They were very discreet and respectful of our privacy and at the same time,
they worked hard in the garden every day, they were very helpful (asking all the time to help us)
at home before and after meals, cleaning in the kitchen !
they were always good-humored, so it was a… read more
(Excellent
)
