Maintenance, Gardening and DIY projects in the French Alps, France

France

Favourited 645 times

Host rating
Feedback
35
Last activity
18/05/2020
Reply rate
95.2 %
Average reply time:
within 11 days
Host offers payment
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2020

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Description
We are based in the beautiful French Alps - in the mountains which are just half an hour away from Annecy.

We run an 18 bedroom chalet-hotel located in a small village of St Jean de Sixt which is just outside the ski / summer resorts of La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand. Our main season for guests is the winter ski season - but during the summer months we have some DIY and maintenance projects to complete (as well as offering our cycling and walking holidays)

We have been here for over 10 years and enjoy the stunning mountains with everything they've got to offer. We love walking, running, biking and skiing here and think we're really lucky to have everything on our doorstep. We are also really close to the medieval town of Annecy and its beautiful lake, great for swimming, kayaking etc.

We tend to be a lot quieter in the summer and need to get a couple of projects finished in preparation for winter, our busy season, which will come round soon enough! That's where we need your help...
Type of help
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Help in the house
Helping with Tourists
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Its a lovely village location on the edge of two larger resort villages - which are very traditionally French and maintain and balance a very traditional mountain way of life (cows, agriculture, cheese-making) alongside the more modern tourism. industry.
Host offers a wage in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
Ideally suited for a couple - we will be looking for help with the general upkeep of the hotel and garden as well as possibly getting involved in a few improvement projects. We try to offer an interesting mix of tasks and to offer both indoors and outdoors projects.

One aspect of the roles will be to assist with the daily housekeeping and laundry work - and so some experience of cleaning would be a big bonus.

In addition it is likely to include a mixture of property and garden maintenace (weeding, cutting lawns) and basic DIY. Tasks may include painting and other general DIY and maintenance tasks within the chalet or hotel.

We obviously provide all tools, equipment etc. and any prior skills or experience you have would be a real bonus... but not essential. We want keen people, ideally with an eye for detail and attention to detail who can work un-supervised.

For Summer 2019 we will be looking for workaways throughout June, July, August and September...
Languages spoken
English and French
Accommodation
We have a couple of choices for accommodation. Our preference for couples if to offer you our cosy "Petit Chalet" which is a small independent wooden chalet in the grounds. Here you can be independent and it becomes your home from home...

The other choice would be staying in a self contained apartment which feature 2 bedrooms, bathroom, a living room and kitchenette. We will provide all bedding and towels.

We will provide all food during your stay. Sometimes this will be cooked as communal meals with other team members, although you should be expected to cook for yourselves (but we will provide the foodstuffs).
What else ...
There are lots of outdoor opportunities so if you love cycling or walking then this is paradise. Lots of trails, footpaths to explore. Buses can take you to the lovely town of Annecy (30mins) and its lovely clean, warm lake. Villages are all open and running but its not massively busy... so best for those with a love of nature and the outdoors and an independent spirit!
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4.5hrs (8:30 to 13:00)

Photos

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Feedback left by and about host (35)

09/01/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Lucas & Daiana)

Lucas and Daina were a great help, and very easy to host. They helped us with a couple of extra projects before the winter season - and without them helping, they probably would not have got finished. The team are now enjoying the bright new painted laundry room.... Thanks guys and happy travels. Paul

(Excellent )

08/01/2020

Left by Workawayer (Lucas & Daiana) for host

The Workaway with Paul and his stuff was great. He runs an hotel where everyone speaks English.

Our main objective was to learn French and we couldn’t but it was a great experience anyway.

Paul assigned us to John who was our “guide” all the time. John was excellent, funny and cool!

Paul was always asking if we were ok.

The work wasn’t… read more

(Excellent )

02/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Kevin)

Thanks Kevin. You were a very conscientious and capable workaway, and we're very pleased with our new features and the maintenance you carried out around the place. Good luck with your future travels..., thanks, Paul

(Excellent )

17/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (mercedes) for host

It was my first workaway experience, and it could not have been better. The place is beautiful, it is super organized. There are many things to do so you never get bored. The staff is super friendly. Paul and Jess I have nothing but words of thanks for you, thank you for trusting and sharing with me.

(Excellent )

13/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Katherine & Bob) for host

Thank you for hosting us Paul, hope you had a lovely time back in the UK. Our 2 weeks flew by in the beautiful village of St. Jean de Sixt. The work away was well organised, but is also very independent, that said there is always someone around to ask for help. We helped renovating some of the hotel rooms and in the garden. We stayed in the staff… read more

(Excellent )

27/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Anika & Valentin) for host

Thank you Paul for inviting us and a special thanks to the whole team! Aoife, Dean, Erica and Sophie, so much fun working with you! We miss you guys! We really enjoyed our game night, barbecue and Tennis adventure.
We really loved our four weeks in St. Jean, absolutely beautiful area with lots of opportunities to spend some time outdoors. Work is… read more

(Excellent )

25/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Anika & Valentin)

Anika and Velntin were a great couple to host and we are grateful for their careful paintwork and attention to detail! Not to mention the nectarine dessert or chocolate brownies whcih were such a hit (and help too!) They were so easy to host and very reliable and diligent - and it was great to have them around the place.

(Excellent )

25/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Helene)

Helene was a great help and fun to have around the place. She entered into the spirit of it all so well, and we may even have converted her to road biking!! She was very easy going and happy to explore on her own, as well as get involved with the rest of the team. Displayed some good paintwork skills - with plenty of rooms looking a lot brighter… read more

(Excellent )

08/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Helene) for host

This was my first workaway experience and it was fantastic. Paul, Aoife, Dean and the whole team were absolutely fabulous! The accommodation was clean, cozy and comfortable. There was always plenty of food and the work was clearly laid out and well organized.

The chalet-hotel is in a great location with loads of options for fun outdoor… read more

(Excellent )

15/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Serghei & Olga)

Cas and Olga were a great couple and helped us get our garden back in shape!
They were both prepared to work hard, and to use their initiative and worked well on their own.
The painting looks great, and I hope they enjoyed their time in the mountains with us!

(Excellent )

15/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Serghei & Olga) for host

We are grateful to Paul and his team for the opportunity to be with them! We liked a lot the various tasks they gave us and the independence we had after work. The living place and conditions were amaizing! Surroundings are also very nice and probably it's the best place if you don't really know French. Thank you a lot!

(Excellent )

07/12/2016

Left by Workawayer (Cynthia) for host

I don't know what to say about Paul and his team, I hope my english is good enough to describe the wonderful time I spent with them. I went around October, left for a couple weeks and back again. This was my littler heaven in France, they're such a great team, Paul is really considered and take you care a lot, always asking how you're and if you… read more

(Excellent )

13/11/2016

Left by Workawayer (Dimo & Simeon) for host

We spent two weeks with Paul and Jess and it was one of the best travelling experiences we've had. We had our own apartment with two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc. The working included 4-5 hours a day carrying stuff around, painting, sanding, etc. and wasn't very hard at all. As a whole, we tried to do it in the best way possible and we… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Anne)

Annie was an absolute joy to host and fitted in really well. She was a great help around the place and was happy to tackle all sorts of jobs. She just got on with them all, and took them in her stride...
The painting looks great! She was very responsible and trustworthy and is very mature for her age, and was a pleasure to have around for a… read more

(Excellent )

06/11/2016

Left by Workawayer (Anne) for host

Only wonderful things to say about Paul and Jess! I arrived at the chalet only intending to stay one week but ended up spending nearly a month in Saint Jean. It was a perfect place to recharge and soak up some glorious fall days in the mountains. I felt very much at home.

For one, Paul and Jess are extremely easygoing and friendly. I so… read more

(Excellent )

14/09/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Sharon)

Sharon was a pleasure to host and very easy going. She was very independent and worked very well under her own steam - and diligently and carefully ploughed her way through painting a lot of shutters! They look great now and are being rehung today...
She was also always ready to help in any other way and jumped in for some driving etc. We felt… read more

(Excellent )

13/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Sharon) for host

I have been a full time Workawayer now for 6 months, and this was by far the best Workaway I have done. It will also be incredibly hard to beat!!
Firstly, it was extremely well organised, with Dean as a great team leader on the work front and Aoiffe taking care of us in the food department (she's an awesome cook). We knew what work we were doing… read more

(Excellent )

05/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Anthon) for host

Our month in Saint-Jean-de-Sixt was incredibly rewarding - we could not have asked more from a workaway experience. The work itself was simple and satisfying, the accommodation very cosy, and the area gorgeous, with plenty of outdoor activites fill the time. We enjoyed the hiking and camping, as well as a few excursions further afield to Annecy… read more

(Excellent )

30/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Anthon)

It was a pleasure to host Anthon and Johanna this summer, and they were an excellent fit into our team, and made a great contribution towards our renovation project.
They were always very diligent and keen to work - even when it was boring, dusty sanding...
But the ceilings look amazing and smooth now thanks to them!
They both made the most… read more

(Excellent )

31/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (Riccardo) for host

I'm really thankful for this incredible experience! It's hard to express through words how nice it was to be part of this. This is my first workaway, and I definitely recommend it and I'm looking forward to try more. The host team was amazing, the place is lovely and the work is very good. There is a very nice atmosphere and everyone did their… read more

(Excellent )

30/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Riccardo)

Ricardo was a great help and a really positive member of our small team for the summer renovation project. He was happy to get involved in all aspects of the work, and always happy to undertake anything - even some pretty boring work - lots of sanding and painting! He worked very well on his own and always delivered a very high quality of finish… read more

(Excellent )

30/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Amy & Brendan)

It was a pleasure to host Amy and Brendan and they were a great fit into our small team of workaways and regular team for the summer months. They were a big help on the renovation project and were always happy and keen to work - even when it was some pretty dusty and monotonous sanding!!
It was great having you guys as part of the team, and… read more

(Excellent )

05/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (Amy & Brendan) for host

We had a ripper couple of weeks working at Paul and Jess's Hotel with 4 other legendary workawayers under Dean and Aoife. We cannot begin to explain how much we appreciated this opportunity!!! The amount of activities we were able to squeeze into our short time with regards to work and outdoor exploring was amazing. Saint-Jeans-de-Sixt was an… read more

(Excellent )

30/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin)

We were really pleased to host Martin, and he was a great help to our summer renovation project.

He worked very hard and diligently and was happy to get involved and try all sorts of jobs - and he was quite handy and able to work well on his own. It was a pleasure to have him as part of our team for those couple of months.
It was great to see… read more

(Excellent )

27/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (Martin) for host

I spent in hotel six great weeks. It was my first woraway experience, my english was't perfect, but staff of hotel was very patient with me. Thank Paul,Dean and Aoifa for very good agreement, cooperation and opportunity to improve my english!

Work was for me fun,very easy and quite short, so lot of time to exploring surrounding.
St Jean de Sixt… read more

(Excellent )

08/01/2016

Left by Workawayer (Mirel) for host

I volunteered at this Workaway during the month of November.

The work included painting, cleaning windows, cleaning carpets, gardening and, assembling and moving furniture before the hotel opened for the ski season.

Accommodation was in one of the hotel guest rooms, with ensuite bathroom. The hotel kitchen and other facilities (TV room,… read more

(Very good )

24/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (Catherine) for host

I stayed with Paul and Jess for 4 weeks in November. I stayed in a room in the hotel which is en suite. It was warm and comfortable. It was before ski season started so the village was really quiet. It's within walking distance of 2 other livelier villages (3 kms). I was there from Fri Oct 30th until Thursday Nov 26th. There are many walks to take… read more

(Excellent )

07/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (Seph & David) for host

We spent a month in the Alps with Paul, Jess and the team. Everyone was very welcoming and we immediately felt at home. The accommodation was comfy and we were kept topped up on food, all we had to do was ask and it would appear. The work was varied which kept it interesting and enjoyable. The hotel is located in a lovely village with beautiful… read more

(Excellent )

02/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (Nicole & Shannon) for host

I apologize for leaving a feedback to so late! I had an amazing time with Paul and their crew. Everyone I met was so kind and considerate with all of our work and wanting to show us the community in St. Jean. It was my first time doing a workaway and they made the transition to Europe so easy and flexible. We had great communication, and will… read more

(Excellent )

12/10/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Nicole & Shannon)

We were very luck to have Nicole come and help us with a renovation project - and it turned out she was a great painter (walls and radiators!) She worked very hard and had a great commitment and work ethic to get the job done and with a good eye for quality... She was very flexible and good to have around - absolutely no trouble and very easy… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Carola) for host

I stayed at the chalet for a few weeks in September/October and had a great time: I stayed comfortably in one of the guest rooms on the annex, there was always an ample supply of food, there is heaps of outdoorsy stuff to do in the area (and this is the perfect place to get advice from the specialists on where to go depending on your taste...) as… read more

(Excellent )

03/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Carola)

Carola was an enormous help to us, and a pleasure to host. She worked very hard and with a great eye for detail. The quality of her painting was excellent and she would often work longer hours to get the job done. She was very flexible and easy going, and independent. Thanks to her the bar and reception is looking a lot fresher and brighter. Good… read more

(Excellent )

30/07/2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Rohan)

Thanks Rohan, it was great having you and Eve here, the roof looks fantastic! hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and we hope to see you back here one day - you're always welcome! Jess, Paul and the team.

(Excellent )

29/07/2012

Left by Workawayer (Rohan) for host

We stayed with Jess, Paul and the whole gang for three beautiful weeks and could not have been taken care of better. Great people, food and accomodation and we hope to come back one day soon.
Thank you for everthing :)

(Excellent )

04/04/2011

Left by Workawayer (Jennifer) for host

I visited Paul and Jess back in September and I couldn't have had a more perfect first workaway experience. They are a lovely couple with a great business. They really made me feel at home and would go back in a second. I wish I could've stayed longer as its a really beautifl part of the world

(Excellent )

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