Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
20 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
9
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are a couple of retired chaps living in rural Burgundy (France). We have a large manoir-style house in a small village in the Morvan national park, with a substantial garden. It is peaceful and beautiful, but quite remote... the nearest shops are a five minute drive away and the nearest town about 20 minutes by car, but there are some wonderful walks and it is a great place for cycling. We are retired English professionals and love to meet new people and to explore the world as well as our own area. We have lived here for 10 years and know the area well.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The area is rich in French culture and history, with fascinating historic sites and towns nearby - ancient Gallic sites (Alesia and Bibracte), Roman ruins, Medieval villages, chateaux and Romanesque churches. The cities of Autun and Dijon are not far away, and the lovely towns of Semur-en-Auxois, Chateauneuf-en-Auxois and Beaune within a short distance. The vineyards are close by too as well as the cheese makers of Epoisses and Chaource. There are plenty of activities on the Lac de Settons (swimming, sailing, canoeing etc.), cycling and walking. Burgundy is the centre of French cuisine and a great place to explore this part of French culture. It would also be a good opportunity to brush up your English or French.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are hoping for some help to restore and repaint 18 window shutters - ie taking them down, scraping them, painting them and replacing them. There may also be some light gardening, if you are interested - weeding, pruning etc.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
Dutch: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I’d love to improve my languages and happy to help you with English or French
Accommodation
You would have your own (private) bedroom(s) with your own shower room/toilet and a sitting room. We would love you to join us for meals, but you would also be welcome to cook for yourself. Washing and ironing facilities are available and we have a library of books, DVDs and CDs to borrow while you are here.
What else ...
The village is remote. Without your own car you would be reliant on us to take you around (which of course we are happy to do). From Saulieu (20 mins. away) there are buses to Montbard and Dijon where you can get TGV trains to Paris, or Bern, Zurich, Beaune, Chalon etc. There are many good restaurants nearby, and Autun (about 30 minutes away) has a few bars and clubs. There are cinemas in Autun and Saulieu with daily programmes (usually one film a week in the original language (mostly English), but otherwise a chance to see French language films). There is opera and theatre in Autun and Dijon. There is a good golf course quite close and swimming baths in Saulieu and Autun as well as the lakeside activities in the Morvan. There are also plenty of places to fish, play tennis etc.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
Unable to edit the details above, but we have a gentle female Labrador dog, so happy to have other friendly dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (6)
Michael and Tom are lovely hosts; they kindly took us out for some meals, introduced us to some of their friends, and kept us entertained with their many stories.
Because the weather was nice,… read more
Their home is an extraordinary, eccentric place filled with art and history—a true haven of… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Michael and Tom are lovely hosts; they kindly took us out for some meals, introduced us to some of their friends, and kept us entertained with their many stories.
Because the weather was nice,… read more
Their home is an extraordinary, eccentric place filled with art and history—a true haven of… read more
Tom & Michael are both super hosts : open minded, warm-hearted, friendly, respectful, ...and very good cooks !
They live in a beautiful manor with a very sweet dog who accepted mine without any problem.
My job was gardening and I was able to organize my working time as long as the… read more
