Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Feb 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
5
Email verified
Country info
Badges (4)
Details
Description
🌿 Create, Renovate & Enjoy Slow Life in the Morvan (Bourgogne, France)
Hi Workawayers!
I’m Jeroen (34), Dutch architect, optimist by nature, and currently renovating a beautiful 100+ year old house in the hills of the Morvan Natural Park, central France.
This place is peaceful, surrounded by valleys, cows, birds and big skies.
It’s a project — but also a lifestyle choice. I’m building something slowly, consciously and with good energy.
And I’d love to share that journey.
👋 About Me
I grew up between forest and lake in the Netherlands, spent years sailing, studied architecture and started my own practice in 2016.
In 2023 I converted a camper van myself and drove to the most northern and southern tips of Europe. I love freedom, nature, design, meaningful conversations and new ideas.
I’m social, calm, honest and very positive. I value depth over drama, connection over noise.
Open-minded and LGBTQ+ friendly 🏳️🌈
🏡 The Project
In April 2024 I bought this countryside house with 5500m² of garden.
My vision:
• Renovate the interior step by step
• Create a beautiful vegetable garden
• Build a chicken coop
• Maintain fruit trees
• Turn this into a warm, welcoming place
This is not a fast renovation. It’s thoughtful, hands-on and collaborative.
🤝 Who I’m Looking For
People who are:
• Kind & emotionally mature
• Positive and proactive
• Responsible and independent
• Not afraid of physical work
• Interested in learning and sharing skills
Experience with DIY, gardening or cooking is a big plus.
This is ideal for people who enjoy:
– Slow countryside life
– Helping with their hands
– Shared dinners outside
– Meaningful conversations
– Being part of something evolving
🛠️ What We’ll Work On (April – October 2026)
Main projects:
• Gardening & trimming
• DIY / renovation help
• Cooking (we rotate)
Side projects:
• Vegetable garden
• Chicken coop
• Fruit tree maintenance
I prefer to do tasks together as much as possible — sharing skills and learning from each other.
🍽️ Daily Life
• 3 vegetarian meals per day (you don’t have to be vegetarian)
• Cooking is shared
• Supermarket trips twice a week
• Work rhythm: approx. 4–5 hours/day, 5 days/week
The house is liveable during renovation.
Sleeping options:
• Two bedrooms + separate bathroom
• Garden space for tent and camper van
• Small renovated retro caravan (185x100 bed)
I can pick you up in Autun (71400).
TGV to Le Creusot is easy.
Having a car is helpful but not required.
🌞 The Atmosphere
Evenings are often outside, with shared dinners, conversations and sunsets over the valley.
This is not a party place.
It’s a calm, creative, grounded environment.
If you’re looking for connection, purpose, nature and good energy — you’ll probably feel at home here.
📩 If This Resonates
Send me a message and tell me:
• Who you are
• What motivates you
• What skills you bring
• Why this place speaks to you
Looking forward to meeting beautiful souls in 2026.
All the best,
Jeroen
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Movies & TV
Culture
Charity work
Technology
Vegetarian or vegan
Van life
Sustainability
Self development
LGBTQ
Plant care
Hitchhiking
Languages
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Books
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Sailing / Boating
Adventure sports
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Camping
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I enjoy cultural exchange and meaningful conversations with people from around the world.
As an architect, I can share practical knowledge about construction, renovation and designing (floor) plans — and involve you in the creative process behind building projects.
Help
🛠️ April – October 2026
Main projects:
• Gardening & trimming
• DIY / renovation
• Cooking (we rotate)
Side projects:
• Vegetable garden
• Chicken coop
• Fruit tree maintenance
I prefer to do tasks together as much as possible — sharing skills and learning from each other.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I’m mostly interested in learning French. But I also like to teach English or Dutch.
Accommodation
You’ll have your own private bedroom upstairs in the house, with access to a separate bathroom.
If you prefer more independence, you can stay in the renovated retro caravan in the garden, set up your own tent, or park your camper van on the property.
Breakfast and lunch are flexible — you can have them whenever it suits you.
Dinner is shared and one of the nicest moments of the day: we cook (often together), eat outside when the weather allows, and take time to connect.
I usually go grocery shopping twice a week and you’re welcome to join. If you need something specific, you can also go yourself.
What else ...
Nearby is the beautiful historic town of Autun, where you’ll find all the facilities you might need — shops, cafés, markets and impressive Roman architecture.
The Morvan Natural Park offers wonderful hiking trails right from the area, with forests, hills and wide views.
There are also several lovely swimming lakes close by, including Lac des Settons, perfect for a refreshing swim, relaxing afternoon or small outdoor adventure.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
💻 Digital Nomads Welcome. The house has optical fiber WiFi, providing fast and reliable internet for remote work, video calls and streaming. There is also strong mobile phone reception in and around the house. If you’re working online, you’ll have a quiet and peaceful environment — ideal for focused work, with nature just outside your door.
Space for parking camper vans
🚐 Space for Camper Vans & cars. There are several flat areas in the garden where you can park your camper van. At the moment, there are no external water or electricity hook-ups available. However, you’re of course welcome to use the facilities inside the house. It’s a peaceful, green spot with plenty of space and beautiful views — perfect if you enjoy simple countryside living.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (4)
Jeroen is really a kind, fun and easygoing guy. He also took us to some activities and visits outside, like Autun, a beautiful little city.… read more
We were renovating a house. I like it.
Food great (because I make it). Jeroen is a good cook with recipes.
Great view from the house and the front yard.
Bedroom is great, super comfy mattress. Bathroom is good.
The town nearby is nice, cozy, has everything.
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:
(4.5)
Communication:
(5.0)
Jeroen is really a kind, fun and easygoing guy. He also took us to some activities and visits outside, like Autun, a beautiful little city.… read more
We were renovating a house. I like it.
Food great (because I make it). Jeroen is a good cook with recipes.
Great view from the house and the front yard.
Bedroom is great, super comfy mattress. Bathroom is good.
The town nearby is nice, cozy, has everything.
He has many cool stories and dreams to share. Also loves to talk about and come up with new (entrepreneurial) ideas / projects.
Really easy and fun guy. Could even help you out on the computer with building a podcast & website.
He is a easy going dude who's great to speak visionary projects with. He uses his architectural background to teach others about DIY and is not micro managing your time.
✅️ Spacy and comfy room/bed
✅️ Hot shower
✅️ Great internet access
✅️ Tasty… read more
