Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
23 Sep 2025
Feedback
10
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Details
Description
We are looking for volunteers
We are a family of four living in a 500-year-old castle with two dogs in the heart of the Vexin, a quiet and beautiful region close to Giverny (Claude Monet' house) , the property is conveniently located just 50 minutes from Paris by car or train. We are currently working on renovating the castle and its gardens to restore them to their former glory . Paul-Arnaud (43) is a photographer with a deep passion for history, and Laëtitia (41) is a former artistic director. Our sons Oscar (8) and André (6) bring energy and joy to everyday life.
Since falling in love with these old stones in 2019, we have been slowly and lovingly bringing this place back to life — not just as a building, but as a way of living. We are drawn to a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, and we enjoy learning by doing. Our days are filled with creativity — Oscar plays guitar, Laëtitia plays piano, and Paul-Arnaud plays drums and harmonica. We love good food, good conversation, and genuine human connection. What we hope for most is a real exchange — sharing who we are, and discovering who you are.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Nature
Languages
Gardening
Culture
Van life
Pets
Farming
Photography
Plant care
Cooking & food
Drawing & painting
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Carpentry
Astronomy
Books
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Hiking
Sailing / Boating
Dancing
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
By staying with us, you'll have the chance to live in a castle with over 500 years of history. We'd love to share its extraordinary past with you — and according to legend, Queen Blanche de Castille herself once stayed here when visiting the nearby abbey.
Beyond the castle, you'll get a real taste of life in a traditional French village, with a strong and warm sense of community. We're based in one of the most beautiful corners of the Vexin, and we can't wait to show you around.This is truly at the heart of why we host. We want to share our world with you — the history of this place, the rhythms of rural French life, the warmth of our village community — and we are just as curious about yours.
Depending on your interests, we'd be happy to introduce you to photography, pottery, or working with wood and metal. We speak French, English, and a little Spanish, and welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and nationalities.
Evenings are often spent together — sharing meals cooked with our own eggs, fruits, and homemade jams, going on local outings, or enjoying impromptu music sessions. We hope you'll leave with more than memories of a beautiful place — we hope you'll leave feeling that you truly connected with a family and a way of life.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Living in a historic castle means there is always something to tend to — and we'd love a helping hand from someone who enjoys working with their hands and being outdoors. Tasks typically include gardening, mowing, hedge trimming, and general upkeep of our 14 acres of meadows, orchards, and woods. Depending on the season, there may also be light painting or basic maintenance around the house.
We ask for around 4 to 5 hours of help per day, 5 days a week. No specific skills are needed — just energy, a practical mindset, and a genuine willingness to pitch in. The rest of your time is entirely your own to explore, rest, and enjoy the surroundings.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We would love to learn your language
Accommodation
You will have your own bedroom within the castle, and we'd love your help in the kitchen, cooking as much as possible with fresh, locally-sourced organic produce. We keep chickens for eggs, grow our own fruits and vegetables (though not this year), and make our own jams and ice cream.
A word about the house: it's still a work in progress. The beds are new and very comfortable, but most of the house is a old renovation. You'll have reliable internet throughout.
If you enjoy the company of children, our sons Oscar and André are cheerful, easy-going kids — you're very welcome to spend time with them and get to know them.
What else ...
The castle is ideally located in Vexin-sur-Epte, in Upper Normandy, just 11km from Claude Monet's famous house in Giverny and 75km from Paris. It's a wonderful spot for nature lovers — a peaceful place to recharge, connect with others, and set off on hikes through the Normandy Vexin.
This rural region is celebrated for its varied landscapes of forests, streams, and rolling green meadows. From here, you can explore the châteaux of Bizy, Villarceaux, La Roche-Guyon, and Ambleville — each with remarkable gardens — as well as abbeys, cathedrals, and museums in Vernon, Évreux, Rouen, and beyond.
We also have bikes available for you to explore the surrounding countryside at your own pace.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Internet connexion is excellent
Space for parking camper vans
we have many place to park cars, truck, van indoor and outdoor.
Can possibly accept pets
any type outside the house. We have special place for pets and horses.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
xx
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (6)
From the moment she arrived, Miyu fit right in with our family. Always cheerful, enthusiastic, and willing, she completed every task with care, dedication, and a positive attitude. It was a real joy to share our daily life with… read more
They are a beautiful, welcoming, and open minded family, who accepted me as a family member from the first moment!
We laughed a lot, shared meals, watched movies together, worked around their beautiful garden and castle. It is a once in a life time opportunity to meet this… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
From the moment she arrived, Miyu fit right in with our family. Always cheerful, enthusiastic, and willing, she completed every task with care, dedication, and a positive attitude. It was a real joy to share our daily life with… read more
They are a beautiful, welcoming, and open minded family, who accepted me as a family member from the first moment!
We laughed a lot, shared meals, watched movies together, worked around their beautiful garden and castle. It is a once in a life time opportunity to meet this… read more
Nano is a very welcoming and generous person, with great stories to tell and experience to share. We have a lot of common… read more
The Manoir de Bus Saint Rémy is a place immersed in nature ideal to rest and enjoy the charm of Normandie.
With Nano you will never get bored, he is a very curious person,… read more
Since the house has a big territory… read more
This short stay was enough to became good friends and I really hope to stay in touch with them. The cultural exchange was the best, always exchanging… read more
During our 5 day stay we were planting, pruning and… read more
