Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
10 Sep 2026
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Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Feedback
18
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Min stay requested: at least a week
Details
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Description
Our family left Australia to establish a permaculture farm in France over 35 years ago. We now spend our lives in the beautiful medieval village of Saint Antonin Noble Val, a truly wonderful, friendly place steeped in history and culture.
Now retired after 25 years selling country cottages in the region, I have spent the last two years re-doing a XIX° Century house complete with a large, previously-beautiful garden on the edge of the village. I would love to host Workawayer couples who appreciate historic houses / medieval architecture, the outdoors and convivial company. Please note that I am looking for COUPLES to stay here.
Cultural exchange
After all this time here, I speak fluent French and am more than happy to speak French with you. I started my working career as a language teacher so can help you perfect your language skills in a non-classroom setting. I also speak Italian, though not perfectly fluently, and could also muddle through a German conversation if you are sufficiently indulgent! My Spanish is very bad, though my daughter here speaks it fluently.
If your French is less fluent, I am happy to translate for you when necessary, but I do think speaking some French would be more fun for you when integrating into the village. My daughter and her partner, in their thirties, live close by in the village and they too would be happy to show you around. Saint Antonin is very touristy; visitors tend to meander around the village marvelling at its architecture and history. From about October, things begin to quieten down and that's when the locals come out.
Time off
There are lots of things to do here, and many tourists come just to soak up French life. Available sporting activities include swimming, canoing, kayaking, white water rafting, and/or stand-up paddle in the river nearby, tree-climbing, hiking, horse-riding (I can drive you there, about 10 minutes' drive), and there's a fishing club, pétanque clubs, tennis courts, paint-ball and plenty more. The central café/bar is the hub of the town, and regularly offers free concerts. Do try to be at St Antonin for at least one Sunday though, because the Sunday open-air market here is sooo good and really shouldn't be missed. Of course I'd be very happy if you stayed several Sundays; I'm flexible on length of stay, from one week to two months. For more detailed information on all of this, please have a look at St Antonin Noble Val on Google; they do it far better and more thoroughly than we ever could! It's such a fabulous village..... it should be on everyone's bucket list.
Helping
I would prefer it if you chose the activities you most enjoy. Projects over the next few months include some creative improvements for the 2 acre garden, preparing the vegetable garden for the Winter, choosing what to plant in a flower garden at the house entrance, re-organising the large and over-encumbered attic, perhaps setting up a retreat area in the 20m² garden shed, and generally being part of the rhythm of everyday life here. I broke my leg a couple of months ago and am not as useful at these challenges as I hope to be by mid September. Any collaboration with my computer would be appreciated too, and if you love to cook, we all love to eat!
Accommodation
Your private space here is now restored and rather luxurious. It was completely resuscitated last year, and comprises a large, sunny bedroom (c.20m²) with windows on two sides overlooking the garden, and an attached ensuite bathroom.
If you like the idea of creating, learning, getting your hands dirty and being part of a friendly community whilst living in a postcard-perfect village, we’d love to hear from you. We are hoping for Workaway couples.
🌞 What you’ll get
A stay in a beautiful, lively village surrounded by nature, rivers, history, markets and friendly people.
A relaxed, welcoming and open-minded atmosphere.
Plenty of good moments shared together around the dinner table or in the garden, often with a good bottle of local wine. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
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Interests
Movies & TV
Music
Plant care
Languages
Cooking & food
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Farming
Culture
Politics / Social justice
Events & social
Gardening
History
DIY & crafts
Books
Architecture
Nature
Winter sports
Beach -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We speak English, French, Spanish, and some Italian and German and are happy to speak to you (and learn) in the languages of your choice, if we can !
Saint Antonin Noble Val is a stunning medieval village steeped in history and culture, with a vibrant, multi-generational and multicultural community that makes it a truly lively place to live and explore. -
Help
Most of the time, the help needed is fairly practical stuff: lending a creative hand with ongoing improvements in the garden to bring it back to its former glory, helping out around the house. It’s nothing overly technical, but it does suit people who like being active and working with their hands.
We usually just take things day by day depending on what needs doing and what we feel like tackling.
You might enjoy staying here if you like:
- practical, hands-on tasks
- being outdoors
- seeing satisfying results at the end of the day
- figuring things out as you go rather than following strict plans
What a bonus if you’re into:
- cooking and sharing meals
- foraging, plants, veg gardens
- coming up with ideas to improve a space! -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Italian: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I am passionate about European languages and started a business in Melbourne teaching conversational French around the table with cheese and wine. It was met with heady success. -
Accommodation
In the main house (first photo), your space has been completely restored and comprises a large, sunny bedroom (c.20m²) with a private bathroom attached.
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What else ...
There are lots of things to do here, and many tourists come just to soak up French life. Available sporting activities include swimming or canoing, kayaking, white water rafting, and/or stand-up paddle in the river nearby, tree-climbing, hiking, horse-riding (I can drive you there, about 10 minutes' drive), and there's a fishing club, pétanque clubs, tennis courts, paint-ball and plenty more. The central café/bar is the hub of the town, and regularly offers free concerts. Do try to be at St Antonin for at least one Sunday though, because the Sunday open-air market here is sooo good and really draws the crowds. Of course I'd be very happy if you stayed several Sundays ;I'm flexible on length of stay, from one week to two months. For more detailed information on all of this, please have a look at St Antonin Noble Val on Google; they do it far better and more thoroughly than we ever could! It's such a fabulous village..... it should be on everyone's bucket list.
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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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Can host digital nomads
The internet in the house is excellent with every room connected. It's also very quiet and conducive to quiet work.
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Space for parking camper vans
There is easily-accessible private parking on the property. The accommodation space is extremely comfortable, so you may prefer to park your van, and stay in the house. But if you would rather sleep in your van, that's fine too.
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Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (9)
The job was enjoyable and she was never pushy and worked with us hand by hand. We also shared some precious time together and had long interesting chats during our dinners.
She and her family made our stay fabulous, Thanks you … 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:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The job was enjoyable and she was never pushy and worked with us hand by hand. We also shared some precious time together and had long interesting chats during our dinners.
She and her family made our stay fabulous, Thanks you … read more
Thank you,Annie.
Yvonne
Annie J
