France
Favourited 141 times
After spending several years in Paris living in chaos, pollution and general indifference, we decided to return to real life close to nature and real people. In 2016, the opportunity was given to acquire a fabulous estate based on an island of 10 hectares composed of both a mill of the 12th century and a castle of the 16th century.
Alix, Aliénor, our two little daughters of 7 and 3 years old, Ariane and Bernard-Marie are our little family who quickly integrated into a beautiful region where nature is omnipresent!
The castle, built in 1636, belonged to the most famous and powerful woman of her time, Mademoiselle de Montpensier, the granddaughter of King Henry IV and Queen Marie de Medici. Suffice to say that it is an architectural marvel that has managed to cross the centuries, but now requires many care to restore its former splendor! The challenge is huge but fantastic to take up! The mill, meanwhile, dates from the 12th century and continues tirelessly to rotate its wheel driven by the river that surrounds the property. There is no more flour produced today, but the electricity needed for the estate.
Our life is now oriented towards the protection of nature, sustainable development, culture, friendship between peoples and sharing. Our domain is gradually becoming an international cultural center in which many artistic, musical and intellectual events take place. We want to make it a place where all men and women of good will meet one day to share a few moments of themselves and make their differences a strength for all!
If you are a Trump supporter or a global warming sceptic, forget us!
Gardening
Building
Cooking / shopping
Help with Eco project
Language practice
You'll experience to live in the magnificient surrounding of a 1636 French Castle ! All people coming to wisit are astonished by the beauty of the place and the good energy. The biodiversity of the park is exceptional and we want to developp a forest garden (Martin Crawford) and a garden of medicinal plants.
Moreover the area around the Domaine is beautiful, there are many places to visit.
You will also experiment to leave in the nearby of a French family, with other helpers (we'd like to build a team of 5 or 6 helpers), and you will experiment French food and meals.
Your mission, if you accept it, will be to remove all the tinsel of the "modern times", that is, ciment and concrete and returning to the 17th century to join the walls of the castle with lime. You will discover an ancestral technique under the direction of a master craftsman specialized in the renovation of old houses and castles! Unique experience guaranteed!
If, by chance, you do not wish to return to the 21st century, the castle and the History of France would be held for the sole responsible! ;-)
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Russian: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
As in the 17th century or so! ;-) Camping outside or camp cots inside the castle's outbuildings. We'll provide shower and toilets, food (breakfast, lunch and diner)...
To recover from this mission, you will be invited to participate in the maintenance of parks, vegetable garden and Orchard. If that's not enough, you'll be encouraged to fish for trouts, salmons and eels that abound in the river that surrounds the property!
And if you are not a fisherman, then watch and photograph the dozens of species of birds and animals on the property or come and make jams with us!
Let yourself be tempted by the lush nature and the ocean located just 20 minutes from the castle!
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
More than two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
