France
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Hi, We are a French/English family of 4. I am Jenny (33), Im English and arrived in France for work in 2005, met Jeremy (31) and ended up staying. We have 2 daughters (a 2 year old and a newborn)We decided to settle in the Gers so about six year ago we looked and found an old barn to renovate. We are both interested in eco building methods so are using many of these (wherever possible) throughout the renovation, and also using lots of original materials and old building methods.
We have 3 very friendly cats and a few chickens (for eggs). We also have a small vegetable patch which gets a bit bigger each year. In the summer we eat a lot of our own vegetables, and have a lot of BBQs.
We live in a small quiet village, 5km from a small town. The town has all facilities such as restaurants and shops, takeaway, cinema, car rental. There is also a race track (cars and motorbikes) and a small airfield in the town. In the summer there are local fetes which have displays of 'course landaises'. We are on the edge of the Armagnac area, so on your days off you could also go wine or armagnac tasting.
Being a French/English couple we are happy to speak either language, depending on your preference. And if anyone who speaks spanish wants to come and teach us some spanish we would love to learn another language!
Sorry but we are unable to cater for people with food allergies.
DIY and building projects
Language practice
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
We have not had many workawayers, but this is mostly because the few we have had, have come with a view to stay 2 weeks or a month, and have ended up staying at least 6 months, so we must be doing something right?!
We are looking for 1 or 2 volunteers, to work around 25 hours a week. We are ok for you to spread the work over either 4 or 5 days. Preferably to stay of 3 or 4 weeks, but we are happy to consider shorter or longer stays. As the bulk of the work is building (renovation), the volunteer(s) must be capable and enthusiastic about this type of work. No experience is necessary, just interest and willing. In return for the hours worked we will provide you with meals and accommodation. We have now finished the first house, so the next project is to renovate the adjoining barn into a 2nd house and a workshop.
Alongside the building work, there is a small amount of gardening/help with the veg plot for anyone who is interested.
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
There is a choice of either camping, a house about 20 mins drive away, or possibly a caravan (we dont have one at the moment but are going to look into getting one).!
We always had one before for our workaways and that worked really well, but since we have had a couple of years off from hosting to create our family we sold the caravan with a view to get another when needed)
There are many historical sites around the area to visit, such as D'Artagnans (the three musketeers) birth village, cathedrals and churches, pretty fortified villages....
A lot of gourmet food and fine wine is also produced in the area
For nature lovers we are about two hours away from the Pyrenees and the ocean, but more locally there are plenty of beautiful walks to do ( we are on the path of the Compostelle route)
Five minutes from the house there is the Paul Armagnac race track where many French and international events ( trucks, cars and bikes) are held.
What we personally like doing in our free time is mostly cooking with a glass of wine in hand and going for walks (sometimes with the cat).
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Two
5 hours per day, 5 days a week.
