Help look after our house and dogs with some light gardening and DIY in Perpignan, France

France

updated

Favourited 313 times

Host rating
Feedback
16
Last activity
19/05/2022
Nº of Facebook friends
417
Reply rate
58.3 %
Average reply time:
within 2 days
Badges

Map

Availability

2022

Min stay requested: at least a week

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

What's this?

Details

Description
We have a secluded haven amongst vineyards, fruit orchards and vegetable farms.
It's a glorious setting with extensive gardens and a large spring water filled heated swimming pool, yet is walking distance to the historic and colourful city of Perpignan and only 10 minutes by car to the Mediterranean's long, sweeping beaches.
It comprises 3 properties. It can be rented as an individual holiday home or as part of the cluster which is ideal for a large family group holiday.

We are an English family with 3 children aged 14/13/10. We have been in France for 12 years and both have very relaxed demeanors. James runs the gite business in France and Ilona runs our Landscape Gardening business in London largely from Perpignan.

When you stay with us we provide a beautiful gite for you to stay in on your own. It has fully equipped kitchen.

We are both very chilled and happy to be flexible.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Landscaping, gardening, being nice!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for a couple to house sit and dog sit
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Perpignan is a 10 minute cycle away (bikes x 2 provided), James is a great cook and will make lunch each day with dinner being self catered. You will stay in our Olive House with 2 x double bedrooms. (See website link for pics)nand be able to make the most of this amazing outdoor region. Skiing 1.5 hours away from dec to May and beach just 10 mins away. All easily accessible by bus and bike (every bus ride no matter how far is just 1 Euro!) Unlimited wifi which is not fast.
What else ...
So many things to do nearby. You can explore the town, the beach, the mountains - we have it all in Occitanie!
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Internet speed ok for working
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 5 days

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (16)

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:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

02/03/2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Celine & Craig)

Celine, Craig and Theo are delightful with bright sunny dispositions! They are great communicators, eager to help and entirely trustworthy. They cared for our home and our dogs as if it were their own and we would not hesitate to recommend them.

Thanks and see you soon xx

(Excellent )

02/03/2022

Left by Workawayer (Celine & Craig) for host

We haven't quite met a family as wonderful as James, Ilona and their 3 children before. They are welcoming, open and super friendly, and we connected well from the moment we arrived.

We stayed two weeks over the Christmas period, and our main tasks were to walk the dogs (Louis and Dottie) who are peaceful and loving (especially with our 5 year… read more

(Excellent )

10/11/2021

Left by Workawayer (Isabel & Clive Robert) for host

Clive and I loved house and dog sitting whilst James and Ilona were on holiday. They made us feel very welcome and took the time to explain everything. They had really nice accommodation for us to stay in and they provided us with bikes and the car to get around. We loved looking after their dogs, taking them to the beach and giving them lots of… read more

(Excellent )

17/11/2020

Left by Workawayer (David & Joanne) for host

We stayed at the Mas for two weeks to house and dog sit while Ilona, James and the family took a holiday. They are lovely people, the property is fabulous and the dogs were friendly and great fun. Communication was excellent, both ahead of the stay and during the time we were there. All in all it was an extremely pleasant experience and I hope… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (Gavin & Wendy) for host

We spent just over 2 weeks house and dog-sitting for Ilona and James. It is in a great location as within easy reach of the city and is also near the many beaches along that stretch of coast. We were fortunate enough to have a car with us to enable us to explore but bikes were available and are an easy mode of transport into the city.
We worked… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Gavin & Wendy)

Gavin and Wendy are the loveliest people, skilled and hard-working. They transformed our garden borders in a short space of time, cared for our dogs and looked after the property, even in very heavy rain when a few small lakes appeared! They are calm, intelligent and reliable, very easy to be around and happy to get stuck in to any tasks. They… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (elizabeth)

Amazing couple, talented, bright, hard working, great attitude to life. Highly recommend for all outside work. Super clean and tidy and great communicators! Welcome back anytime x

(Excellent )

07/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Amy & Zoroaster)

Thank you both for all yoru hardwork, big smiles and relaxed attitude. A total pleasure to have you here! See you again! Ilona and James

(Excellent )

18/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Amy & Zoroaster) for host

We had a really really positive two weeks with Ilona and James.

They are really lovely, genuine and intelligent people and Their children are well mannered and good fun!

The accommodation is beautiful and perfectly clean, James really is an excellent cook, we loved every meal we had there.

We spent our 2 weeks doing some maintenance on their… read more

(Excellent )

23/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Olga & Hagen ) for host

We have Stayed at Mas des Fleurs for one week and it was a wonderful experience. When james says you're up for hard work, it will be hard! But that is not necessarily a bad thing, it can actually be fun and you can learn a lot. The location is nice. James and Ilona have a beautiful garden with palm trees and olive trees, it really looks like… read more

(Excellent )

23/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Richard) for host

This was my first workaway experience and I enjoyed it immensely. I stayed with Ilona, James and the children for four weeks and can highly recommend this very kind family. With pleasure, I would have stayed there longer than those four weeks.
Living with the family is a good opportunity to improve your English but you can speak French to the… read more

(Excellent )

06/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Nadja) for host

Our two-week stay with James, Ilona and their children was wonderful. The family was very helpful, friendly and open minded. We lived in our own small, well equipped cottage (Olive house) and enjoyed the marvellous garden and the large pool very much. James often cooked great meals for us. The working time in the garden varied and there was enough… read more

(Excellent )

13/02/2017

Left by Workawayer (Nathaël) for host

You have a very beautiful family, so kind and friendly.
I enjoyed my stay at you place, I had my own home, good spicy food and wine!! We worked well some days but I had lots of free time the others. Your home is nice and located in a quiet neighborhood, but close to the city at the same time. Thanks again and see you soon.
Nathael

(Excellent )

02/02/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Nathaël)

Nathael was an absolute joy to have with us. He has an incredible work ethic and is very skilled. He painted his heart out here (earning the name Picasso) and was discreet and extremely tidy. Nathael you are welcome back anytime. Best of luck for your travels. Ilona, James and family

(Excellent )

10/02/2016

Left by Workawayer (Patrick) for host

Ilona, James and their 3 children are the best people to be around with.
Very sociable and open.

I was doing a variety of jobs in the garden like cutting the hedge, preparing the vegetable garden, woodcutting, weeding, designing and many more things.

After 3 months I feel sad to go, Ilona and James make you feel at home at their amazing… read more

(Excellent )

02/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Patrick)

Patrick is a very open, willing and capable man who brings with him an ability to tackle any challenge with a smile. He has been working predominantly in the garden and is more than happy to work as part of a team or on his own initiative. He has also been happy to teach our children some Spanish. We have been happy to have him alongside us… read more

(Excellent )

To leave feedback make sure you are logged in & your account is online

Website Safety

Host ref number: 432617684924

Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in France Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Europe Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Languedoc-Roussillon Family France House sitting France Last minute Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in France

To contact a host, please login with your username and password or register with workaway.info.

My host list0

Give the gift of Workaway