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Converted farmhouse and meditation centre close to Pau, France

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi, I'm Jacqueline and I live in a former farm-house (17th century) near the foothills of the Pyrenees ,in the countryside but 10 minutes from the centre of Pau, 45 minutes from Lourdes and an hour and a half from Biarritz.

    Our sons and daughter are here now and then, and our cat, horse and donkey are here full time! There is the house and two barns - one is a Gite (retreat and holiday accommodation) and the other stables downstairs and a beautiful large yoga/meditation space above (see below). My work (not yours) involves teaching English, servicing the gite and its guests, sometimes welcoming a guest in the house to learn English (usually one week's immersion) and also running an association teaching meditation and yoga in the Dharma room. The property has a lot of woodland with lush vegetation. There are a number of fruit trees in the garden areas - figs, apples, kiwis and pears in season - and we favour an organic plant-based/vegan diet here.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Vegetarian or vegan
    Technology
    Sustainability
    Self development
    Pets
    Movies & TV
    Culture
    Charity work
    Writing
    Plant care
    Performing arts
    Music
    Languages
    Gardening
    DIY & crafts
    Books
    Astronomy
    Art & design
    Animals
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    Hiking
    Dancing
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Based in a very peaceful and healthy location, you can choose to use your time here to go within and retreat and/or to explore the beauty around you. Close to the town with the university, language or cultural study (mainly English with some French opportunities) is possible. Lots of experience and materials for learning English available. Also the possibility of starting or developing meditation and yoga. The spiritual work which we do through the non-profit part of our activities gives lots of opportunity for personal development. Workawayers can also explore the south-west of France or parts of Spain while based with us. Please note that this is an English-speaking household in France (even the cat, horse and donkey speak English!). Eating vegan is another area which can be shared (although we are happy to provide non-vegan foods as well).

  • Help

    Help

    The property is fairly large (4 hectares, largely wooded) with a garden and terraced lawns around the house and the gite, an orchard, a field for the horse and donkey, and extensive woodland from which logs need to be brought up for our two woodburning stoves (the donkey needs to be trained to carry logs too so any experience with donkeys very welcome!). Some gardening, pruning and tidying are ongoing, lots of painting generally needs doing, grooming, haying up and mucking out the stables are daily tasks, collecting fruit and juicing in season, helping in and around the house would be welcome - carpentry, housework and cleaning - depending on what skills you bring. Experience with horses very helpful (although of course I can train and help you if you are willing and time allows).

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Italian: Intermediate
    Spanish: Beginner

    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

    Accommodation

    A character bedroom, complete with original beams, on the top floor, with a view over the valley and a small bit of mountains. Standard double bed and own shower room on the floor below. Alternatively (depending on other guests we have), the single room next to the Dharma Room which also has its own small bathroom (compost loo) and kitchenette.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Plenty of walking and running among the surrounding Jurancon vineyards, and cycling - though it is hilly round here (that's why the Tour de France comes though Pau most years), good trains to Bordeaux and Toulouse, not far from Lourdes. Pau is only 10 minutes by bus and is a lovely French town with a chateau. Spain is an hour away. There's a piano you're welcome to play. Amazing mountains with hiking, biking and skiing not far. Lourdes is an easy day-trip and the Atlantic coast around Biarritz is within easy reach. Pau has a lot to offer in terms of sports and activities - an excellent indoor and outdoor pool complex, an olympic kayaking stadium, climbing, great golf courses and more.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Optical fibre internet connection is a recent addition.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Smallish vans only

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Venus (15 years)

    Pyrenees donkey

    Keyloa (27 years)

    Gray mare, still occasionally ridden.

    Ciel (6 years)

    Lovely, good-natured, cheeky cat. Affectionate where food is concerned!!!

Host ref number: 522772691846

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Photos

A beautiful white horse stands peacefully in a grassy field, surrounded by bare trees. The serene countryside and overcast sky create a calm, quiet atmosphere.
A black donkey stands in the foreground of a grassy field. In the background, a white horse grazes. Sunlight beams across, with bare trees.
A smiling woman with short, light hair takes a selfie indoors. She wears a polka-dotted blouse and a necklace, creating a cheerful, welcoming atmosphere.
The image depicts a cozy bedroom with a stone wall, featuring a bed, nightstand, and table, with a window on the right side, and a white ceiling and floor.
The image depicts a cozy attic bedroom with a wooden bed frame, white linens, and a wooden chair, featuring a sloping ceiling with exposed beams.
The image depicts a serene room with a wooden floor, stone walls, and a large window, featuring a yoga mat, chairs, and a stained glass window.
The image depicts a woman with short blonde hair, wearing a white shirt and glasses, leaning on her hands in front of a tree trunk, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a charming two-story house with a red roof, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, set against a clear blue sky on a sunny day.
The image depicts a serene forest scene with a small stream flowing through it, featuring lush greenery and trees in the background.
The image depicts a serene outdoor setting, featuring a table with chairs, a dog lying on the grass, and trees providing shade, all set amidst a lush green lawn.
The image depicts a two-story house with a brown roof, white walls, and green shutters, surrounded by trees and a fence, set against a cloudy sky.
The image depicts three donkeys standing in a field, with the sun shining brightly behind them, casting a warm glow on the scene.
The image depicts a stone bridge spanning a river, with a large castle-like building situated behind it, featuring multiple arches and a grey sky.
The image depicts a woman sitting in a wooden chair, facing a stained glass window with a peace sign, in a room with stone walls and a wooden floor.

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