Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
17 Apr 2025
Reply rate
72.7 %
Usually responds within 18 days
Feedback
40
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Come and help us develop our eco project in the mountains of the Ardèche in France! Ecology, permaculture, sustainability, transition, consciousness, love of life and nature are all areas which we explore and would love to share. We are a family with 3 youngsters (two of which study abroad) and a 9 years old boy, sharing our project with friends and family as well as through a small b&b. A yurt and a cosy chalet on our beautiful land nested in the middle of nature are rented out in summer season. There is a lot to do on the land and we are also looking for some help with building projects (woodworking, fencing etc). In the winter there is snow and wintersports, the magic of beautiful landscapes, the cosyness of the fireplace and slowcooked organic meals. The old farm needs some renovation, so there is always enough to do also on the inside. During summer we offer untouched nature, springs an rivers to swim and fish nearby, horseback riding (we have 4 horses on the land from spring to fall). We like to share moments around bbq's and campfires, sometimes even a sweat lodge, where we connect with nature. Overall we work quite hard, are open to spirituality and enjoy good times with good foods and French wine.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We offer a place in the middle of nature where you can reconnect with yourself and the seasons. Long walks and horseback riding, fishing, swimming in the river during the summer, collecting mushrooms in fall. Together we learn about permaculture by observing and growing produce and caring for the land. I am a routined 'professional' cook and can teach you classical as well as world kitchens or vegetarian and 'free from' diets. We strive to eat organic and local produce as much as possible.
We are fluent in French, Dutch and English and can help you out with these languages. We understand some Spanish and German.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for all round help 4 to 5 hours a day (usually the morning) , 5 days per week. Depending on the season the work is in the garden, general maintenance (household) or with projects in and around the farm. It is very versatile and we will take your likes and dislikes into consideration :). Besides the daily hours we expect you to take care of your room and help out with the regular house chores as dressing the table, dishwashing and feeding the animals.
Skills we are looking for to help us further develop the land: woodbuilding, permaculture gardening, masonry, plumbing, or any decent DIYS experience.
You are not expected to cook but if you like cooking, then you are always welcome to prepare a meal or help out.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
We live in an old farm (more then 200 years old) that has been cosily renovated. We have a large meadow (5 hectares) in front of the house with horses, two goats, a veggie garden and a chicken pen. Springswith clear wather run through the valley, our tapwater is all natural and from the highest quality. Around us there are 4 more hectares of land, surrounded by natural reserve and forest.
We rent out two rooms and a bathroom in the house and have guests mainly during the summer season. Apart from that we have four rooms for ourselves, one of which is available to acommodate a workawayer. We are also open to host a mother with a young child (> 2 years). There is a second bathroom downstairs.
For the rest there is a small kitchen, a large dining table and a cosy living room with two fireplaces. it is a typical farmers house with lots of old woodwork and stone. Upstairs is an open room with a television, Netflix and a Chromecaster. There is wifi in most parts of the house, and usually 3G outside, depending on the weather.
A large and comfortable caravan is available (can host 2 to 4 persons) and offers the possibility of living mostly independently whilst enjoying your stay.
When the weather is mild (from May to October), it is also possible to sleep in a tent outside. There is an outdoor sanitary tiny house on the land.
So, many possibilities depending on your needs!
The evening meal is shared together and also often lunch. Whenever it is possible we eat outside. In the summer season when we provide guests tables it is possible that we eat apart, depending on the moment and the guests we host!
We are food lovers, flexitarians, open to vegetarian and free from diets. Only vegan is a bridge too far.
What else ...
Our nearest neighbour is 2,5 km further down towards the village of Lanarce, a small rural village with 180 inhabitants. In the village there are renowned butchers, a wonderfull 'fromagerie' - cheese diary, a baker, a pancake house and a pizzeria + three restaurants. The region is quite touristic in summer season.There is a bus only twice a day, going to the nearest cities of Le Puy en Velay (starting point of the famous Compostela Pelgrims route) and Aubenas (both approximately 1 hour away). Local people are used to hitchhikers so that is also a way to go along. Some larger villages are a 15 minutes drive away, where you will find most shops and were we go to the local market once or twice a week. We try to avoid supermarket as much as we can.
There are several lakes close by and half an hour walking from our land there is a river where you can bathe. The region has mostly pristine nature and wonderfull produce to offer. You can also go for canyoning and kayaking on the nearbij rivers Ardèche and Chassezac. Should you want to travel a bit further, the valley of the Rhone with its famous vineyards and the grotte Chauvet (most ancient cave in Europe) and the Provence with its lavender fields and olive trees awaits you. The medditeranean sea is a few hours traveling from our place. In the summer the temperature rises to 35°C, in the valley of the Rhone it would be around 40°C. Since we have a sunny mountain climate, the temperature is nice during the day even when there is snow, but the nights are cool and it can be quite cold during winter (up to -20 °C).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have wifi and 4G, working average to well. Coverage for most french operators except Bouygues (no téléphone service for this operator in the whole area). Most internet services work correctly. Sometimes difficulties with video streaming, depending on the weather. Bram has a full time virtual job conferencing via vpn and this works fine.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (19)
Gaelle, Bram and their kids were incredibly kind… read more
Whether it was a full house or just Gaëlle,… read more
Gaëlle is so special, funny, and an amazing cook. Her food is absolutely delicious, and I learned so much from her. She also helped me understand Ayurveda and find balance in ways I'll never forget… 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:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
Gaelle, Bram and their kids were incredibly kind… read more
Whether it was a full house or just Gaëlle,… read more
Gaëlle is so special, funny, and an amazing cook. Her food is absolutely delicious, and I learned so much from her. She also helped me understand Ayurveda and find balance in ways I'll never forget… read more
I felt very comfortable with the… read more
The place is situated in a beautiful landscape which is easy to explore. A… read more
The house and the area was so beautiful. I really enjoyed being in such a nice place. With the… read more
I had a really good experience with you all, also with a lot of different tasks to throw myself upon.
Bram has a great mind, memory, and love for history, and Gaëlle; besides being very knowledgeable in Ayurveda is an actual professional chef who puts a lot of love into… read more
We shared… read more
Gaëlle, Bram and the rest of the family. Thank you very much for my time with you guys! It was an amazing experience. This was my first Workaway address and I had no idea what to expect, where I would end up and what I would need to do. When I arrived, the family took me in with open arms and pretty soon we had a synchronized rhythm. They… read more
We worked in the garden, on the property, with the animals and in the house and most of it was quite fun. :)
In my free time I went for walks in the beautiful surroundings, climbed on trees (there are so many good climbing trees!) and sometimes we… read more
I just miss you guys so much!
It has been one of the best experience of my life.
I’ve really loved the way I felt at home, you’re so welcoming and lovely!
The place is just amazing. we’ve often done campfires and various activities, such as going down to the lake, cooking, meditation...
Working wasn’t hard and I’ve learned to stay… read more
Thank you for your hospitality and for integrating us in your lovely family.
We had our first Workaway here and had a great time at a beautiful place, getting to know the daily tasks at a land with guesthouse and lots of space.
We are on the move with our kids and could combine the tasks that were assigned to us with the… read more
Since the moment we arrived, we felt part of the family and we had a genuine click that turned into a lifelong friendship. They have a beautiful domaine in nature, lovely animals and cool projects they are working on. Besides that, it never felt like a work-away but… read more
You have been wonderfull all the way! Angelica we loved your happy, flamboyant energy, spreading good and intense vibes around the house as a real south-american passionate woman that you are! Peter you are so incredibely kind and calm and comforting and intelligent and hardworking! what can i say more… read more
I have finally gotten a small chance to write, and wanted to let you know how grateful Peter and I are for this beautiful opportunity you have given us, you shared your love and families joy with us and that is priceless, plus the chance to be in touch with nature and for Peter and I to spend time together, I feel 200% grateful.… read more
We would recommend Luca to any host as a respectful, kind and friendly person that you can… read more
