Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
7 Dec 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
26
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Details
Description
Between Saintes and Rochefort, half an hour from the coast, we live in a beautiful ‘Domaine’, with woods and land. You will most probably be bean picking, helping with the fencing for the sheep or oxen, feeding chickens, maybe cleaning them out etc. Otherwise there is also weeding to do in the gardens, raspberry picking in summer and the like. We are certified organic and don’t use toxic chemicals. There is sometimes sanding or painting of the shutters we have here because we are doing this job ourselves and its always good to get some help. We have a little studio appartment for a couple or two friends, so you can be independant, but we usually eat lunch or dinner together. Food is provided of course. If we go into town, we will be able to give you a ride in, or you can use the bikes here.
We speak English, German, Portuguese and French. If you are not a party animal but love nature, and getting involved, in projects, then this is the place for you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Pets
Charity work
Farming
Writing
Drawing & painting
Gardening
Music
History
Books
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Cooking & food
Nature
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live a local life style and are very much part of the local french community. You might learn about the local culture, some history and maybe practice french.
Mainly its a very natural and peaceful area. Good for people who like to go for walks and maybe cycle places.
Help
We need help with all sorts of things from Fencing, banging in fence posts, feeding the cattle and sheep, some forestry if you have any experience, digging and planting , general building tasks ( which will be safe and easy ), joining in with washing up, building enclosures for chickens, helping on the hedges we planted last winter, probably lots of weeding..and those mentioned above. If you cannot do one task, we have plenty of others !
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
You will be in your own little self contained studio appartment. We provide food and linens. We have some meals all together too. Its too complicated for me to cater to vegans. In the studio, there are two beds, or they can be moved together to make one bed. There is a bathroom with shower, sink, toilet. Its all clean and new. There is a kitchen corner with cooker/ oven, dishwasher and fridge.
There is a sofa corner.
What else ...
Transport here is terrible because we are in the middle of nowhere, so if you do have the possibility of coming by vehicle, its a good idea. Or I am sometimes driving to places and can drop you so you do your thing while I do my errands.I am often in Rochefort or Saintes which are both nearby, and have interesting museums, nice architecture, cafes etc. Rochefort is a naval town so has museums connected to that and Napoleons naval history. saintes has an amazing ampitheatre and roman remains. Its a sweet town. Pont L'Abbe d'Arnoult is about 5 kms away and you can borrow one of our bikes to go there - it has two cafe's, a snack bar, restaurant and a smart restaurant.
We ask for a minimum stay of at least a week.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is an ethernet cable with good connection in the studio appartment, with two cables, so for two people. There is wifi in our kitchen too.
Space for parking camper vans
We could accomodate a campervan.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
GB
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (11)
We had the most wonderful stay at the Château! Mariam and Jono were extremely hospitable and they made us feel at home. Mariam always cooked delicious food and both of them were very generous and eager to share what their beautiful patch of land had to offer. Work was more than fair and in the remaining free time we… read more
Mariam provides delicious meals, and the work was varied and always in consultation. Having my own bedroom and bathroom felt like a luxury. Mariam also regularly took me exploring… read more
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Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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We had the most wonderful stay at the Château! Mariam and Jono were extremely hospitable and they made us feel at home. Mariam always cooked delicious food and both of them were very generous and eager to share what their beautiful patch of land had to offer. Work was more than fair and in the remaining free time we… read more
Mariam provides delicious meals, and the work was varied and always in consultation. Having my own bedroom and bathroom felt like a luxury. Mariam also regularly took me exploring… read more
Our days were delightfully balanced: we usually worked for half a day depending on the tasks at hand—feeding the sheep and chickens, weeding the… read more
I spent several weeks with Mariam and Jono and truly appreciated the experience. Their home is spacious, full of life and ongoing projects, yet also offers moments of calm when needed.
It's an ideal place for anyone looking to help in a meaningful way — from light repairs and gardening to… read more
J’ai eu la chance et l’immense plaisir de partager un bout de quotidien avec Mariam et Jono et d’autres « workawayers ». Des hôtes qui vont feront sentir comme dans une petite famille.
Merci pour ce petit séjour précieux
I spent over a month in spring 2021 at Mariams´and Jonos´place and I passed a beautiful moment there! Mariam and Jono are very welcoming people and so I felt comfortable from the first day. Since they traveled a lot and made all kinds of experiences, they have a lot… read more
From day one I was made to feel at home and I could tell that the work that I did was very much appreciated by the family. These people are so kind and would really go the extra mile to make sure you're happy and comfortable in the chateau. They… read more
We spent almost two months with Mariam, Jono and Monty and it felt like we were part of the family after a short time.
The accommodation in the small "Chatteau" was excellent!
We were allowed to live in a separate part of the Chatteau, with its own… read more
