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3 Mar 2025
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Description
Hello dear Workawayers !
I am happy to propose hosting at my place, I love having people at home!
I live in Brittany in a small village located in a preserved area by the coast. I am looking for help in our garden and in the field adjacent to the house. My project is to make this place a refuge for biodiversity: planting trees, welcoming legged and winged animals, maintaining the field through eco-grazing, and gradually implement subsistence and sustainability principles. Although I already planted fruit trees and bushes, cleared and pruned parts of the field, this is a starting project and I hope it will be exciting for volunteers as all creative ideas, experiences, and discussions are more than welcome and part of the project. For instance, there is an underground spring crossing the field and it would be great to reveal it. Also, I would love to have a hut in some of the big trees. Current tasks include clearing part of the field from brambles, pruning existing trees that have gone wild for years, planting additional fruit trees and bushes, creating and looking after the vegetable garden and maintaining the garden. There are four sheeps in the field
Now a few words about the host(s). My name is Dominique (she/her) and I work as a biodiversity conservation senior scientist on marine fishes and habitats. My work life is dedicated to sustainable management of fished resources and preservation of biodiversity in a way that enables people livelihood and through people empowerment. I worked and lived in New Caledonia for ten years, and I am still working on coral reef socio-ecosystems, and of course on the coastal ecosystems next to my place. I am very keen in sharing my knowledge and experience. I also run locally a research project involving citizen science and volunteers. I work full time and 2 days per week in Lorient.
Aside from biodiversity, my other interests lie in yoga (I teach once a week in Concarneau), personal growth, and I sing and play music.
My adult children (my daughter is 21, my sons are 26 and 27) stay at home regularly, mostly during vacations.
The location is very pleasant, in South Brittany, close to Concarneau, in a very peaceful setting that is never crowded, even during summer season. The area is part of a Natura 2000 protected area, because of the presence of coastal ponds that are a refuge for migrating bird species. The shore is a 3 min walk from the house, the beach is peaceful and the coastal trail goes along the coast all around Brittany.Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
French, English, Spanish, Korean (with my daughter), (and some Breton) spoken
Keen in helping discover the area, Brittany, and France in general
Love to talk about ecology and environmental science
Love to chat about history, societies, education, philosophy, music, geography & traveling….
Happy to teach some yoga practices and talk about self-growth, psychology and spirituality
Happy to take you to a breton ball and dance or to make music and sing together
We also love to play boardgamesProjects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Current tasks include clearing part of the field from brambles, pruning existing trees that have gone wild for years, planting additional trees and bushes, creating and looking after the vegetable garden, and maintaining the garden (hedge, lawn, trees) around the house.
Some DIY and building may also be needed as part of the field and garden project.
This year, I will also need some help to maintain the wooden doors which paint needs being refreshed.
Cooking and routine house maintenance are shared tasks.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Korean: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
French, English, Spanish, Korean (and some Breton) spoken Happy to practice any and to teach FrenchAccommodation
The house is large and everyone can have privacy (1 bedroom for guests at the first floor, 2 bathrooms). The ground floor is a large pleasant lounge with a kitchen and fireplace.
Camping or staying in a campervan (not a motorhome!) are possible too.
Meals are taken home or outside in summer, together or not. We usually cook organic food and eat little meat. We shop at the village market or bulk store, and we try to eat as local as possible.
Smoking is not allowed in the houseWhat else ...
The location is close to Concarneau, South Brittany, in a peaceful countryside that is never crowded, even during summer season. The beach is a 3 min walk from the house. We have snorkeling gear. And a small sailing boat (4m) that needs maintenance but could be used if repaired (I am happy to have help for that). Lots of walking and biking opportunities from the house.
The location may not be accessed by public transportation as it is 3 km from the main village. We have 2 cars and 2 bikes. Buses and carpooling are available in the main village, and the train station is a 20 min drive. Of course, we will collect you where you arrive.
Many scenic areas and towns within 20 km, and many cultural events in summer. There are breton balls (fest-noz) all year round in the area.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
we can find some space for you to set your computer. We have a decent internet connection (although the fiber has not reached our small village yet).
Space for parking camper vans
It is possible to park a campervan in front of the house (not a large motorhome).
Can possibly accept pets
No problem if camping. The dogs are not allowed on the beach here (protected area) and must be on leash on the trail and well-behaved/trained. In the house, animals shall stay downstairs or outside, and no mess will be allowed.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (2)
Dominique provided us with incredible food and we learnt a lot about both French and Breton culture which we never would have learnt if… read more
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Dominique provided us with incredible food and we learnt a lot about both French and Breton culture which we never would have learnt if… read more