Language and cultural exchange in a medieval French village St Antonin, Noble Val, South West France

Details

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  Description

  Our family left Australia for France over 35 years ago, and 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 Workawayers who appreciate historic houses / medieval architecture, the outdoors and convivial company.
  
  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. I also speak Italian, though not perfectly fluently, and could also muddle through a German conversation if you are suffieciently indulgent! My Spanish is very bad, though my daughter 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 mid-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 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.
  
  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, re-organising the large and over-encumbered attic, perhaps setting up a retreat area in the 20m² garden shed, choosing what to plant in a flower garden at the house entrance 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, 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 a bit dusty and being part of a friendly community, while living in a postcard-perfect village, we’d love to hear from you.
  
  🌞 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.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  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
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We speak English, French, Spanish, and some Italian and German; we 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.

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  Help

  Most of the time, it’s fairly practical: helping out around the house, lending a creative hand with ongoing improvements in the garden to bring it back to its former glory. 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!

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Italian: Intermediate

  This 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.
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  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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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