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Natural building, gardening and permaculture projects in Occitane, France

  • Favourited 14 times
  • Last activity: 24 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    British guy living in the heart of the beautiful Quercy Blanc region. The property consists of 3 buildings and land on the western edge of a high plateau. Buildings include a 200 year old farm built from local white stone. A long, south facing structure with an open porch at one end and west facing terrace at the other. Facing east is a self contained 1st floor gite with its own terrace (ideal for yoga at sunrise). There is also a barn, a small ruin plus 2.5 hectairs of pasture and hilly woods- great for a morning or eveing walk. There are also interesting local walks and cycling to nearby villages. Castelnau-montratier is about 4 km and has shops, bar/resturants and a summer swimming pool. From June- August it hosts a weekly food festival in the main square with live music. Locally, there are also many swiming lakes, walks and interesting hill towns to exploire such as Lauzert and Montcuq. I am 25 mintutes drive to Caussade and 30 to Cahors or Montauban. I also worked as a WorkAwayer for about 2 years on various building projects in France.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Learning new skills in natural/tradtional renovation, contruction, gardening and permaculture. I am starting a 'pierres apparents' project on the north wall of the house involing mixing lime mortar and pointing the stone walls. I am also using permaculture techniques to repair the and maintain the land. I will also be rebuilding a small stone ruin and repairing the barn at some point.

  • Help

    Help

    Anyone who is fit and able to work on a variety of projects. Ideal for one person/ couple or two friends. From renovating the buildings, reorganising the barn to gardening. One particular project this spring is to repoint the north facing stone wall using traditional lime mortar. (I have a cement mixer). Training will be given as I will work alongside you. Ideally, we will have breakfast around 7.30 then start work around 8.30 and work for about 5 hours a day. I will also prepare lunch and an evening meal. I am flexible about how we break up the work and use the time and it also depends on how hot it gets as we might find it easier to work in the cooler parts of the day!

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    I am learning French, would appreciate any help and happy to teach English

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation will be in the attached gite which has a new, king sized bed (a single bed is also available if separate beds are required) with its own bathroom and terrace (sunrise views across the plateau). Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegetarian or vegan food can be accomodated.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    I am based about 4 km to the nearest village (Castelnau-montratier) with shops/resturant/bar and summer outdoor swimming. Around the farm there are great walks and cycling. By car I am about 30 minutes to Cahors or Montabaun and 20 minutes to Caussade (nearest Railway station)

  • 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

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    There is space for a van and the gite bathroom can be used

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 533583733538

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