Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
7 Apr 2026
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 27 days
Feedback
26
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Country info
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hello dears,
Right now we are looking for help As Soon As Possible! Please only reach out if you can come soon :)
I want to build an archway for the passion fruits I planted, enlarge a terrace full of giant reed, improve our raised beds and many more exciting things!...
The work is physical because the land goes up and down, and everything is done on foot! So it's shovel, hoe and wheelbarrows on a daily basis! :) You need to enjoy that kind of physical labour.
We especially connect with people that want to learn and grow. If you like cooking, the kitchen is yours! We appreciate if you are independent, pro-active and pleae clean up after yourself 🙏🏼 :)
My name is Matthieu, I am born in France and I have been a photographer for National Geographic for the last 25 years, mostly working in Asia on stories around self-sufficiency, the environment etc. My partner Mareile (she is German, we met in Indonesia) and I bought a beautiful terraced land right near Palmela, overlooking a valley called Vale dos Barris ("the valley of clays"). We have planted over 1500 trees/plants so far, including about 80 fruit trees and lots of banana plants! We are loosely following syntropic agroforestry principles and if you are curious, I love to share my knowledge on that.
On the land everything is done by hand . We have an outdoor (cool) shower & dry toilets & a nice camping set-up vibe, in a beautiful setting. We are 1 minute walk to the medieval village of Palmela and the first shops, bar and a bus stop that can bring you to Lisbon (Oriente station) in 40mn :)
More about the FAMILY:
We have 2 boys, Timo (14) and iluka (19). Both our kids are born on the road (one in Hong Kong, the other in Istanbul) and speak German, French, English and Portuguese fluently. They are home-schooled. We are a truly multicultural family, love sharing our travels. We have been to most countries in Asia, spending extend times trekking in the Western Himalayas, the Karakoram, Hindukush, Pamir mountains etc. We have been based in Portugal / Arrabida Nature Park since 7 years now.
Please write "PINEAPPLE" in your message when you contact us, so we know you have read our description (as we get lots of request). Thanks, love and light.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Culture
Sustainability
Van life
Self development
Farming
Music
Photography
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Animals
Carpentry
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Camping
Beach
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have travel the world for the last 25 years and look forward to hearing about your life, and introduce you to the local markets, area etc. We are passionate about good food, music and world culture.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
- landscaping / general tasks in the forest
- help with cooking, cleaning kitchen etc
- help around the house and light building
- wood tasks with palettes
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Urdu: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
Turkish: IntermediateThis 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 stay in our van (electricity, water, kitchen, all wood covered) or wooden house, near our house, just 1mn walk to Palmela village.
Although it can be chilly in the morning in winter in the van, it gets quite warm during the day. We can provide a warm sleeping bag if you don't have any.
What else ...
Our land is adjacent to the medieval village of Palmela - you look front in the valley and you are in full nature, but you walk back up and in 1mn you are in the village. 5mn walk from our place is a bus station that can take you to Lisbon.
It's an exchange: we are excited to host you , and should you come with a respectful and positive attitude to help us and take part in the activities. We are looking forward to it! :)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
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
My animals / pets
Pamir
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (15)
The land which I stayed and worked on was paradise, waking up… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
The land which I stayed and worked on was paradise, waking up… read more
Matthieu is truly full of life, vigour and utter enthusiasm for his project, and this made it easy to work with him even though I was at times physically going beyond my comfort zone!… read more
Matthieu, Mareile and their inspiring kids made me feel at home. Their project has a great balance, feeling of being off-grid but near a local town.
There is always plenty of work to do, but my time was respected and there was always time for a break in the Spring bath!
It was also great to… read more
How can I start? This was my first oficial workaway and I couldn't have imagined it better myself!
I truly feel that I have made a second family. The family as a whole is a group of four super intelligent, artistic, warm and friendly individuals. I easily felt at home with them and feel so grateful to have been a part of their lives, as well… read more
Matt is always fun to be around, friendly and good laugh. He taught me a lot, especially about the permaculture, and travelling and… read more
He built a dry toilet for us and worked hard on digging channels and swales on our land, always in good spirit. He came with his girlfriend Sara (connected account), and they both stayed in our van.… read more
Starting with this family in February I had the incredible opportunity of starting on their project from the very beginning. With not much expectations we worked out how to get going on their beautiful piece of land in Palmela - what a sight that place is. I had the most… read more
Matthieu is a enthusiastic and energic person, combined with his wife Mareille a very calm and organized person, there is a lot to learn from this family ! It was so nice to contribute in their lifestyle, which is a day to day plan, you will Never get bored ! The Time work is flexible,… read more
