Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 Apr 2025
Reply rate
96.2 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
10
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
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Spring & Summer 2025 / Help in May welcome : gardening and house maintenance (painting shutters and windows, cleaning, etc…). If you like the idea of participating in the life of an old house : you’re most welcome.
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Welcome at a 17th century house in the southwest of France ! Volunteer help welcomed may through september. 470 kms from Paris - 5 H (Train TGV, car pooling with blablacar). 120 kms from Bordeaux, 80 kms from La Rochelle, 20 kms from Cognac, 8 kms from Saintes, 40 kms to the long beaches of the Atlantic coast. Picturesque site. Bordered by the Charente river with our own access to the river ! House sometimes full of family members, relatives and friends (depending on their schedule and holidays), we never know who is coming and when, it may be me only there !
The plan is to help around for general maintenance, 5 hours per day, fixed schedule, 2 days off per week. Don't worry : we have hammock, easy chairs also in the garden, bikes and even canoës :-) for you to explore the rich area.
So if you like old stones « vieilles pierres », history, scenic site, and think you can help with any of the below tasks and would like a great working holiday in a beautiful historical place, please contact us !
I am Nathalie – I'd love to get some help ;-) !!
I will be happy to show you a rich part of France (food markets, scenery, architecture), to teach you new skills, french or english and yoga ;-)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
So much to do around : swimming in the Charente river right there ! We have our onwn access to the river, go to the beach (40 kms away), beautiful islands, walking, fishing, great towns La Rochelle, Cognac, Saintes. Bicycles and kayaks available. We will pick you up at the nearby train station (Saintes 8 kms). We are about 1km from a small village with all commodities.
During your spare time, you may visit the surroundings which offer large opportunities, gallo- romain vestiges, medieval churches, lots to discover about architecture, and/or spend some time with us, go to the markets, simply relax in the garden (hammock, lawnchairs, birds).
I also love to be on myself, and work on my own various projects - I work with village women in India on a textile activity - check Les Indigotines website, I take care of an association to preserve the local site, its landscape and hamlet from irresponsible mass tourism, so you will understand I won't be entertaining you all the time, but I do pay attention to my guests !
We speak french and english, we can practice either one for your benefit. I will be happy to have yoga - relaxation sessions with you.
Help
Spring Summer 2025 : No fixed plans yet about tasks but there will indoor or outdoor projects
***Like repainting doors, walls, shutters *** General help in the garden and in the house on various tasks here and there / small projects (maintaining windows and wooden furniture, clearing flower beds or removing ivy on trees, etc).
*** If you know masonery, it would be great, a stone wall could need some repointing
*** If you like internet and websites, you can help me in that field too.
Multiple and on repetive tasks.
Ready ?!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentThis 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
You will have your own bedroom (1
double bed or 2 single beds), shared bathroom if family members are around or for you only, enjoy nice decoration for an old and preserved house (we like style, deco and comfortable home), 3 meals a day (but if you need strict schedule, don’t count on me especially in summertime -;)), washing machine, wifi – bring your own laptop, in return for 5 hours 5 days a week. Participation to meals preparation, barbecue, and clearing up will be appreciated. On weekends you’re free and manage on your own, breakfast and apéro will be provided only. Otherwise, we usually simplify lunch because it is summer time and get together for « apéro » (happy hour) and dinner. Vegetarians appreciated, but not an issue otherwise.
What else ...
Please no special requirement for food, or allergies. Vegetarian OK. No smoking in the house. No camper vans and tents, no pets, merci.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Workspace and WIFI available during your spare time for your own projects. But, being disconnected from time to time is precious ... ;-))))
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (5)
For your feedback, for your stay here, for your help, for our talks.
Having this new experience with Celine confirms how Work Away is rich in human adventure. We get to know new people and have interesting experiences. I have only good memories of the young people I hosted, from Germany, Italy, now Portugal, the States and… read more
She values independence and it was quite nice to organize my days according to the tasks she gave me. I did my own schedule and I took care of my breakfast and lunch, we'd have… read more
I spent 10 wonderful days at Nathalie's and I will forever cherish the time I spent there.
I had chosen this host for the excellent reviews, the detailed description and the beautiful pictures, and I have to say it was even better than my expectations.
General info, tasks and things to see/do in the free time:
In… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
For your feedback, for your stay here, for your help, for our talks.
Having this new experience with Celine confirms how Work Away is rich in human adventure. We get to know new people and have interesting experiences. I have only good memories of the young people I hosted, from Germany, Italy, now Portugal, the States and… read more
She values independence and it was quite nice to organize my days according to the tasks she gave me. I did my own schedule and I took care of my breakfast and lunch, we'd have… read more
I spent 10 wonderful days at Nathalie's and I will forever cherish the time I spent there.
I had chosen this host for the excellent reviews, the detailed description and the beautiful pictures, and I have to say it was even better than my expectations.
General info, tasks and things to see/do in the free time:
In… read more
I had small projects here and there and he has been very helpful and precise helping me to maintain the house, I appreciated his global care even… read more
Hannah did a great job on the shutters and discovered sanding and painting while listening to French podcasts or the river sounds. She’s been very careful and responsible, two pleasant values, often asking if she could help.… read more
Hanna has been cooperative, flexible with my « Mediterranean « schedule, very attentive and careful to her work - became an expert in painting shutters -;), always offered to help in the kitchen,… read more
When I arrived at the house, I was stunned by how big and beautiful it is. I had a really nice room and a bathroom all to myself. The garden is huge, there are so many different seating opportunities to relax, read or have a refreshing tea with Nathalie.
She was very welcoming and made me feel at home… read more
They have been a great help, did a fantastic job (I think they will never ever look at a window again anywhere in the world without thinking about sanding it, fixing the holes, then the primer, then the final paint coats...;-). Also, they are great cooks and are very curious about the area and… read more
