Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
5 Dec 2023
Feedback
6
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Stephen & Sara live in a small chateau in a rural area of Dordogne, France. We have two small dogs on several acres of woodland and parkland. We would love to host someone (or a couple) to share our experiences and go some renovations- light building, paint and wallpaper. Stephen works full time hours in the afternoon & evening from his office, and Sara works on building the plans for the chateau, and on our social media channels. We have Canadian-British backgrounds, and like to travel. Stephen is a graphic designer and artist, and Sara is building her skills in historic costuming.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live in a beautiful, rural part of France, surrounded by nature hikes nearby, and castles and other historic sites in the area, with active market towns a few minutes away. Experience life in France, and what it takes to maintain a historic property (but we're not an official historic monument). We do run active social media channels; while we respect privacy decisions, it will be helpful if you can be part of that work as well (either in front or behind the camera). We are happy to help non-native English speakers improve their English if desired.
Help
We would like help with day to day cooking, chores (dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc), and property maintenance (gardening, woodcutting, bramble clearing, etc). If you have experience with DIY and building projects such as house painting and wallpapering, that would be ideal but not necessary. We have a small dog (terrier), who likes to join in the fun. We are looking for travelers who can help us improve our French, and understanding of French culture.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We are both interested in improving our French. Stephen is a beginner, and Sara is closer to intermediate.
Accommodation
You will stay in your own separate bedroom in the family space, with comfortable bed and shared bathroom & toilets. While we will try to keep a consistent space for you, you may be asked to change rooms if other family or friends visit. The bedrooms are up a flight of stairs, and there is no lift. Share our family space generally and be part of the daily life. Join us for our meals (if desired), we will provide food (on our regular family budget). While we want you to be part of the household, that does mean you'll have plenty of time on your own while we work. We do consume alcohol, but not other recreational drugs, and are non-smokers (non-smoking volunteers preferred). We are not vegetarian or vegan, and generally avoid seafood, and enjoy lots of croissants and chocolate.
What else ...
Our town is quite small, < 500 people, and has a boulangerie, but no other stores or entertainment. We don't have a separate tv, but will hook up the projector for movies. There are several long, marked, country walk routes that run through our village. There is a town with restaurants, cafes, weekly market, and a small, occasional cinema about 5 km away. We do get out to explore the area, and volunteers will be usually be welcome to join, but will likely be able to enjoy the area more with their own vehicle. There are many 'plus beaux villages' and castles within a hour or 90 min drive (some much closer).
Volunteers must be fully vaccinated, and willing to follow official medical guidance on the pandemic (or other serious events). Inclusive household, though we are not spiritual or religious and proselytizers may create an uncomfortable environment (ie. we are willing to host any religion and accommodate for associated rituals, as long as we are not asked to participate or be indoctrinated).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have fibre internet. Digital nomads can use their bedroom, or the shared family spaces to do their own work.
Space for parking camper vans
We have lots of room for private parking. We do not have separate connections for electricity or waste services (if you want to help create those services, we can discuss).
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (3)
Sara and Steve are so welcoming and made us really feel at home from the beginning. They cooked lovely meals for us and regularly checked in to make sure we had everything we needed. The chateau itself is very beatiful on a large property so… read more
from the moment we arrived we felt at home with you. We made life long friends and could not have asked for a better workaway experience. Right away they gave us a lot of trust and freedom and we were able to use our skills. We felt very appreciated, safe and at ease.
Since we were there in early spring we had the chance to have a… read more
They were… read more
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:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Sara and Steve are so welcoming and made us really feel at home from the beginning. They cooked lovely meals for us and regularly checked in to make sure we had everything we needed. The chateau itself is very beatiful on a large property so… read more
from the moment we arrived we felt at home with you. We made life long friends and could not have asked for a better workaway experience. Right away they gave us a lot of trust and freedom and we were able to use our skills. We felt very appreciated, safe and at ease.
Since we were there in early spring we had the chance to have a… read more
They were… read more
