Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
6
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
Between Saintes and Rochefort, half an hour from the coast, we live in a beautiful ‘Domaine’, with woods and land. Most of the house restoration is done now, and we have set up the orchard and fruit gardens, and got our organic certification. You would be doing things like working in the vegetable garden, helping us in setting up the vineyard area, feeding and cleaning out the chickens, sanding and painting shutters, etc. You will be staying in the main house with us in your own room and bathroom, and we eat meals together. If we go to the beach, or 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 love nature and getting involved, then this is the place for you.Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We speak english at home but have mostly french friends and neighbours, so you could practice your french. We are very much on a learning curve about how to produce food to sell the organic way, so you could learn about that as we learn. I don't feel in a position to say that we know more than anyone else about things, but we like talking about sustainable living, a bit of world politics, ( not too much ), exchange ways of life and different viewpoints. The mostly relaxed way of life.
Help
We need help with all sorts of things from digging and planting to start the organic farm, collecting wood from the forest, some dry-stone wall building and general building work ( which will be safe and easy ), joining in with cooking and washing up, building enclosures for chickens, working on the hedges we planted last winter, probably lots of weeding..If you cannot do one task, we have plenty of others ! Any job will be properly explained and we will be working alongside you.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: FluentAccommodation
Big rooms with ensuite bathroom, looking out over the courtyard. We have one room is for one person, and the other is for two people to share. The rooms are separate from our living area so you have a bit of autonomy. We like to eat meals together: Breakfast is fresh baguettes from the local bakery, jams, eggs, cereals, and croissants occasionally. Lunch is usually salad, breads and cheese and hams, and dinners are cooked meals - anything from roast chicken to spaghetti bolognese or hearty soups. If you have allergies/ intolerances, we can most probably manage that, but I just can’t cater for vegans. We provide all bed linens and towels and laundry is done once a week.
What else ...
Transport here is terrible because we are in the middle of nowhere, but I am often 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.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have good internet connection in our kitchen, and the room above the kitchen gets the internet no problem so that could be a good work room. It does however also get noise from the kitchen, as in these old houses, the noise travels up and down through the floor boards.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (3)
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
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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