Help out at our home in a beautiful part of Normandy, France

France

Favourited 277 times

Host rating
Feedback
30
Last activity
01/08/2021
Nº of Facebook friends
111
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

Description
We are a friendly, lively family of four: Alison, John and two kids who have flown the nest: Ben, 18, and Maddy, 21. We have lived in Normandy for over 20 years and would be very happy to welcome you to this lovely part of France. Set in an idyllic cider apple orchard with resident barn owls, this is a great base for exploring Normandy with its D-Day sites, Bayeux Tapestry and lots more! We are really close to a local green way which goes all the way to the Mont-Saint-Michel, a good day's cycle ride. We are happy to lend you our bikes to explore more locally. Vire, our nearest town, has a decent sized swimming pool, cinema, theatre and bowling alley. The local food is great and we all enjoy sitting down together in the evening for dinner or a barbecue and strumming away afterwards on the guitar.
Getting here couldn't be easier. The nearest train station is in Vire, about 15 minutes away and there is a regular train service from Paris.

A bientôt !
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Help around the house
Animal Care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Workaway is a wonderful cultural exchange and a win-win for everyone involved!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are really looking for a hand around the property with some light building work for example some pointing and help with the gardening and outdoor maintenance. A positive attitude and self discipline for getting the job done are really welcome.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a detached house with two bedrooms plus bathroom with shower just for the volunteers which would suit a couple and /someone travelling by themselves. As to internet access, we have an unlimited connection.
What else ...
Chez nous is also home to several cats, so anyone coming to stay would ideally be cat friendly and enjoy a cuddle with Floppy, Dora and Cara from time to time. As a family, we have a varied diet and it might be complicated to adapt the family cooking to suit vegans. Non-smokers only, please, as my husband is asthmatic.
We are also English-speakers, so this is not necessarily the best spot to brush up on your French!
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
We are looking for on average 5 hours work a day with two days a week off to enjoy the local area.

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Feedback left by and about host (30)

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)

21/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Loup & Juliette) for host

John and Alison were delightful hosts, we spent two very nice weeks with them. We felt quickly comfortable and shared nice moments. It was an easy-going workaway, and we really look forward to see Alison and John again ! :)

(Excellent )

21/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Loup & Juliette)

Loup and Juliette were brilliant! They were really consicentious and veryworked. It was a pleasure to have them around. Lots got done and they were great company. Come back soon, please!

(Excellent )

30/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Mara & Steffen)

We were really happy to host Mara and Steffan who helped with all the organisation and tidying up for our daughter's 21st birthday party. They were very useful the following week with John and his furniture, getting it ready and loading and unloading stock. They also made us an excellent meal before heading off.
They were both very happy bunnies… read more

(Excellent )

05/06/2019

Left by Workawayer (Magnus & Hanna) for host

We spent little over 2 weeks in this beautiful countryside. There's lots to see and do around and working hours are quite flexible.
We did some weeding, restored some furniture and shutters and helped with loading and unloading the van and setting up the tables for the fairs. Start in the mornings for the fairs was early but after helping out you… read more

(Excellent )

31/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Magnus & Hanna)

Hanna and Magnus were fantastic workawayers and a real pleasure to have to stay. They were extremely diligent and got on with all the tasks, even the most boring, with a smile. They came at a very opportune moment as my husband is recovering from an operation on his arm and they were very helpful with his work. On a personal note, they were great… read more

(Excellent )

12/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Anna & Sándor) for host

We spent three wonderful weeks with Alison, John and Ben in Normandy. We are happy that we had the chance to meet this lovely family. They helped us a lot with our travels and gave advices what and when to visit. We spent some nice evenings together, playing board games or watching great movies. We helped digging in the garden, weeding, painting… read more

(Excellent )

31/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Anna & Sándor)

Sàndor and Anna were a delightful couple and worked very hard on a variety of jobs from painting shutters, to helping John load and unload his van to digging out all the earth behind our barn. They were with us for three weeks and were polite, friendly and really helpful. They were very easy going and fitted in with our family routine. The… read more

(Excellent )

17/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Alice)

Alice joined us for a busy week and was a real help all round. Alice was a real whiz in the kitchen and has left us with some wonderful blackberry jam. We also did a car boot together and Alice's help was invaluable.
We would be very happy to recommend Alice as great company and an excellent workawayer, prepared to roll up her sleeves and get… read more

(Excellent )

14/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Carla ) for host

I spent two weeks with Alison and her family. John, Alison, Ben, and Maddy were all really lovely.
I helped with weeding and painting while I was there. I got on really well with everyone and was even able to see Maddy perform her EP for the first time.

P.S. You will become a football fan. Ben, John, and I watched a ton of matches and I really… read more

(Excellent )

06/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Carla )

Carla spent nearly two weeks with us and was a joy to have around. She worked hard at helping John out with some painting, weeding and general tidying up. Carla is a well organised, calm and cheerful and got on with all the family brilliantly. We wish her all the very best for her future studies and travels. It was a real bonus that she made it to… read more

(Excellent )

14/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Demetra & Tanner) for host

Please see our feedback policy for more info about why this review is not displayed

(Good )

14/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Demetra & Tanner)

Please see our feedback policy for more info about why this review is not displayed

(Negative )

26/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Yadana)

Yadana is a ray of sunshine! She is bright, interesting and very friendly. She fitted in perfectly with the general family set up. Yadana applied herself to getting on with the weeding and worked diligently whilst she was with us. She has an excellent singing voice and Maddy and her got on like a house on fire. We all loved her amazing chicken… read more

(Excellent )

22/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Yadana) for host

Two weeks with this Family for me is the first and amazing workaway experience!!
Just before I left France to go back home to Burma (Myanmar), having went to stay with them made me feel like I'm already home away home.

Alison took really good care of my needs - from my personal health to what I eat, treat me with her amazing home dishes… read more

(Excellent )

23/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Lynn) for host

What a wonderful family; I very much wish I could have stayed longer. Though I stayed only one week, Alison, Jon and the whole family treated me as one of their own.

Jon is so wonderful and knowledgeable about antiques, he's quite funny and a great conversationalist. Alison is incredibly sweet, helpful, and knows everything to know about the… read more

(Excellent )

22/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Lynn)

Lyn has a jolly, sunny disposition and was a delight to have to stay. She set to weeding with gusto and learning new decoration skills with enthusiasm. Lyn loves animals and Jackson, the rabbit, has been pining for her since she left! We really hope Lyn might come back and see us next year.

(Excellent )

10/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Andrea & Daniél)

Andrea and Daniél spent two weeks helping clear out an overgrown patch and dug trenches for a future wall. They were hardworking and conscientious and got a lot done in their time here. They fitted in easily with the normal family routine and were very friendly. The German meal they made for us was yummy and we wish them good luck on their travels… read more

(Excellent )

30/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Andrea & Daniél) for host

It was a nice stay and we feel us very welcome there.
There are a friendly family and we love it there. We enjoyed the beautiful view from the Normandy by a cold beer with john. The work in the garden was also interesting because we learn something about gardening and would be visited them anytime again. :)

(Excellent )

21/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Ryan)

We were delighted to welcome Ryan to stay who was a great asset during his few weeks with us. He was supremely helpful with John's work and around the house and orchard and excellent company in the evenings. We would strongly recommend Ryan and his typical American cooking!!!
Merci beaucoup

(Excellent )

07/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Ryan) for host

Wonderful family that made me feel welcome from the start. I really enjoyed chatting history with John, who knows more about my area of study than I do. Alison and Ben were pleasant and engaging company as well, though I didn't get to meet their daughter, Maddy. And I hate to set expectations too high by detailing all of the ways in which they… read more

(Excellent )

11/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Marilia)

Marilia was a delight to have to stay. She got on wonderfully with Maddy and Ben, helped out with a wide variety of tasks and fitted in fine with whatever we had planned. We would strongly recommend Marilia and wish her all the best on her travels!

(Excellent )

03/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (Marilia) for host

I spent one week with this friendly and welcoming family and my first workaway experience couldn't have been better! They made me feel very comfortable since the beginning, the kids are great, I had a great time with Maddy and Ben, we would watch Game of Thrones and Miranda episodes every night after supper, we would play board games and video… read more

(Excellent )

16/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Marta & Patrick)

Our super Spanish couple, Marta and Patrick, came to stay with us for a couple of weeks with their fun friend, Juan Antonio. They were very helpful with the weeding and in the garden and keeping Ben royally entertained with board and computer games. It was a true cultural exchange as we even met Marta's father who came bearing gifts, (gracias!)… read more

(Excellent )

28/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (Marta & Patrick) for host

First of all: we're sorry for our late words. We felt part of the family since the first moment. Work, accommodation and food are amazing. John (I loved his Chinese noodles) and Alison (yummy bolognese spaghettis and also garlic bread) are top chefs. Spending time with Ben was a pleasure, he's our friend now. He's intelligent, funny and very… read more

(Excellent )

16/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Ross)

It was a real pleasure to have Ross around as he is very easy going and good company. He also fitted in with our general family chaos just fine. And he quickly became John and Ben's best buddy! Ross was really helpful when John needed a hand with loading and unpacking his van for several fairs and also with the general gardening around and about.… read more

(Excellent )

29/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Jonathan & Melissa)

Melissa and Jonathan were a delight to have stay with us for two months this summer. They worked hard at all the jobs they were given from gardening to building work. They also were extremely helpful with entertaining our 13 year old son and helping him improve his German too! All the family enjoyed having them to stay with us and they fitted in… read more

(Excellent )

07/08/2013

Left by Workawayer (Malin & Caleb) for host

Alison and her family welcomed us with open arms into their home and we had a great time with them. The accommodation was comfortable (having our own space was pure luxury!) and the food was tasty. Our work consisted of some gardening, helping to load the van, cleaning cars, re-organizing space and hanging out with the two kids. If you get the… read more

(Excellent )

03/08/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Malin & Caleb)

Malin and Caleb were seriously hardworking and got stuck in to a variety of tasks from valeting our (seriously) grubby cars to some much needed gardening. They were also brilliant with our children, Maddy and Ben, and played tirelessly at all sorts of games from football to cluedo. My husband and I were delighted that they fitted in so seamlessly… read more

(Excellent )

29/07/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Elliot)

Elliot spent just over a week with us this summer and fitted in very well with the family routine and the jobs we asked him to do. He was good with the kids and played board games with Ben and helped Maddy with her revision. He turned his hand to washing vans and gardening with equal application and saw the work right through to the end. We would… read more

(Excellent )

29/07/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Francis)

We were delighted to have Francis to stay with us. He got on with the tasks in hand from gardening to helping John with his work and was very adaptable. He was great company for all the family, from playing board games and table football with Ben and Maddy to conversations over a beer or two with John and me.
We would strongly recommend Francis… read more

(Excellent )

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