Experience country life and help with cooking meals and shopping at our chateau in Avensac, France

Details

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  Description

  The Château is located in the the south of France, between Toulouse and Bordeaux. The Chateau is located in the coveted Department known as Le Gers.
  
  The Chateau was built between 1810 and 1820 on the ruins of a chateau built in 1320. Breathtaking vistas in the French countryside, dotted with small villages that look as if Walt Disney created them, surround the Chateau.
  
  Mark and Phillip came from California to take on the massive restoration of this listed historic monument and we invite you to experience all that southern France has to offer.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Creating/ Cooking family meals
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Living in the countryside of rural southern France is a way to experience France as a true French person does. English speaking is not the norm here, not to say that there are not English speakers in the Gers, but it is much less common. This allows an immersive environment to learn or improve the spoken language. Add to that the lifestyle of a small village where everyone knows everyone. When we purchased the Chateau we became villagers number 47 and 48! There are fetes (local gatherings) in our village, as well as neighboring villages throughout the year, allowing one to truly become part of French culture. This rare volunteer position truly is an opportunity to "Live" in france as the French do.

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  Help

  We are currently looking for the right person (or couple) to fill a special volunteer position…The Chateau is in need of a person who likes to cook, cleanup and visit the local markets and shops. If you are a couple, there are always gardening and DIY tasks around the chateau for the partner. We are looking for a person (or couple) willing to commit to a 2 to 6 month stay...
  
  If you have an interest, reach out to us and let's talk, Thank you !
  
  Tasks:
  
  Please note that the Chateau is under restoration and is NOT operating as a business.
  
  1. Prepare and cook lunch, and dinner for the two gentlemen of the chateau, as well as yourself and the occasional personal guests of the Chateau.
  
  2. Visit the local markets, shops, and grocers to purchase all items and supplies needed for the meals, and sundries needed for day to day life in the castle.
  
  3. Keep kitchen space clean before and after every meal.
  
  4. The opportunity to become part of our family and join in on the restoration and revelry.
  
  What you receive
  
  1. Free room and board in the Chateau. A private bedroom and semi private bathroom. Due to the current restorations, bathroom space is at a premium in the Chateau. If the owners have personal guests staying at the Chateau, the guest will need to share the bathroom spaces with you.
  
  2. Use of a car for shopping and local exploration.
  
  3. If you need it, our assistance in obtaining a long stay Visa for France, which also allows you access to the EU. You will need to meet the requirements of the French government to obtain a long stay Visa.
  
  4. The opportunity to learn or improve your french. Speaking french is always an advantage, but not necessary. It is wise to learn a few words and phrases to help you get around. The French respond well when you attempt to speak to them in French. In addition there is a lovely english speaking community in the area.
  
  5. You get to be part of our Chateau Family. We will provide you with links to our website and our YouTube Channel so that you can get to know us a little better.
  
  The Fine Print
  
  1. We are looking for a person (or couple) willing to commit to a 2 to 6 month stay. Our available months are in the calendar at the top of our host page.
  
  2. If you have a spouse or significant other, we are open to a couple. Other duties and opportunities are available for the second.
  
  3. Helping days expected are Monday through Friday.
  
  4. For longer term stays, time away (a breakation 🙂) to be negotiated after the first three months.
  
  5. You must have a valid drivers license excepted in France, and must be able to drive a standard transmission.
  
  6. You will be responsible for the cleanliness of your own space and bathroom, as well as the kitchen on the days you are helping. The house keeper will clean the bathroom space if a guest of the owners is going to be present, however the cleanliness of your spaces should be maintained at all times.
  
  7. The Chateau is under full restoration. Living spaces could possibly shift around during your stay, but your comfort will always be maintained.
  
  8. If you have the desire and the skills, you may join in on restoration projects going on in the Chateau, or its gardens.
  
  9. There are 2 cats that roam the halls. They think they own the place but simply do nothing to help out.
  
  10. We live in a small quiet village (Avensac, France) about 1 hour from the Toulouse airport, 1 hour 15 minutes to Toulouse, 2 hours from Bordeaux. It is breathtaking here in the French countryside, one of the most picturesque areas in all of France.
  
  11. You will need to provide your own transportation to and from Toulouse airport, we will take care of the rest.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are both native US English speakers, and having spent most of our collective time in California our accent is definitive West Coast American. We are both learning French with Phillip being leaps and bounds ahead of Mark.
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  Accommodation

  A lovely, furnished, private bedroom in the Chateau, and semi private bathroom. Due to the current restorations, bathroom space is at a premium in the Chateau. If the owners have personal guests staying at the Chateau, the guest will need to share the bathroom spaces with you. This a rare occurrence.

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  What else ...

  Our location offers so much near and further afield. If it is peace and tranquility you desire, only the birds and the village church bells will offend. If you worry that you will miss the city life, or just desire to visit, Toulouse is only an hour away, and Bordeaux is only two hours away. Bordeaux, the Paris of the south, is awash with incredible beauty and practically drowning in wine. Fancy a drive to Spain? you can practically see the neighboring country from the Chateau. Locally there are true French open markets, antique shopping and fairs, horse racing, wine tasting, hiking and cycling, and in winter the slopes of the Pyrenees beckon.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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