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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
16 Jan 2025
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Description
Roger and I fell in love with our chateau in the beautiful Dordogne eight years ago. Dating back to the 12th century, it is a hidden gem in the small town of Le Buisson. The grounds are large enough to provide a completely private and tranquil environment, but shops, bars, post office, cinema, train station etc. are just a few minutes walk away, so we never feel isolated.
We plan to move there permanently and, in the meantime, spend as much time there as we can. Because we are not always there to take care of things, we struggle to catch up with all the general maintenance jobs that such a large property requires.Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As mentioned above, the town has a cinema which frequently shows original language films. The river Dordogne, which offers canoeing facilities, is less than a mile away. There is a plethora of pre-historic caves in the area, the nearest being a ten minute walk away.
Le Buisson is small, but there are bigger towns nearby, e.g. the medieval town of Sarlat approximately 20 miles away. The cities of Bordeaux and Toulouse are about 100 miles west and south respectively and can be reached from our local train station. Spain can be reached in a few hours by car.
Whilst a car is not crucial, we are in the countryside and it would make local sights more accessible.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We have a wide variety of projects to offer!
The land, which extends to three hectares (eight acres), includes grounds which were once professionally designed but have been neglected for decades and become overgrown and in need of extensive tidying. That's where we could really do with some help. There are well over 100 trees on the property and it would be nice to give them the chance to breathe a bit! The ability to use a strimmer and/or hedge cutter would be very handy.
We also have a developing potager (vegetable garden) and orchard, both of which are always in need of attention and lots of barns just begging to be cleared and cleaned.
The house is part-renovated, but there is no shortage of maintenance work to be done, including the tower which gives the chateau it's name. We're not looking to do anything major, but any skills such as carpentry would be more than welcome. Finding a roofer is the kind of thing we can only dream about.Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: FluentAccommodation
We have a three bedroom gîte and there is also en-suite accommodation in the main house.
We would look to provide meals and you would have full access to the pool which we tend to open from late May as it's unheated.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
A dog to play with our friendly weimaraner. Sadly our cats don’t like other cats.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (26)
The area is gorgeous, so much to see and do. We just had the best summer and made lifelong friends and memories.
As I was alone when they were here, it was a treat to have some company whilst remaining safe in… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
The area is gorgeous, so much to see and do. We just had the best summer and made lifelong friends and memories.
As I was alone when they were here, it was a treat to have some company whilst remaining safe in… read more
If… read more
Hugo is a helpful, positive, polite and easy going person which makes him a pleasure to have around. He got on really well with other workawayers, both as a team player and joining in free time… read more
The chateau is an amazing place to stay. Huge areas to spend my time off.
They offer me a great room to stay by myself with my own bathroom. Very nice bedroom.
To tasks weren't difficult. They just gave a me something to do and I had to check the time by myself.
Maria helped me with a few… read more
Regarding on the work, volunteers are free to organise themselves as they wish. The tasks are diversified, I did some cleaning, and I mainly worked in the… read more
Guillaume is polite, hard working, self-motivated, uncomplaining and genuinely interested in the history and culture of his surroundings. Indeed, he managed to identify our favourite… read more
In addition to… read more
I couldn't be luckier to have stayed with such caring, kind and generous hosts on my first Workaway experience. Maria and Roger made me feel at home from the very first day and made my stay very memorable.
The chateau is a simply breathtaking with so much to discover and great facilities. There are tasks of all sorts… read more
There are many more… read more
Maria and Roger make you feel welcome and comfortable while making sure you have the opportunity to visit the surrounding towns and sites.
On Maria's prodding Gail and I went on a canoe trip… read more
Aside from all the many little tasks he did without even mentioning them, Ed is an extremely gifted engineer who repaired every broken thing I put in… read more
During the day there was lots of work to do in the grounds of the Chateau. I spent most of my working time (5 hours a day ish) clearing undergrowth, fixing the little garden tractor, and pulling ivy off… read more
Anyone who hosts him is very lucky… read more