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Learn about eco-construction and permaculture while staying with us in Sainte-Mélanie, Canada

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    After traveling around the world and living in Montreal for several years, we wanted to get together, stay somewhere to start a family and flourish.
    This is how we found our place, in the heart of the forest, in Lanaudière, Quebec, near the small village of Sainte Mélanie.

    In 2024 we started the construction of our dream house... with the help of the community.
    The adventure continues this year but we want to share our experiences with more people!

    On the program this year:
    - Learning different GREB construction techniques (Strawball insulation)
    - Passive House principles
    - Creation of an earthen floor
    - Construction of a Batchblock (Uzume)
    - Permaculture (medicinal plants and vegetable gardens)

    We have a trailer to accommodate you, as well as meals on help days.
    We often share experiences in the morning and you will be free in the afternoon.

    _________________________


    Après avoir voyagé autour du monde et vécu à Montréal pendant plusieurs années , nous avions envie de nous retrouver, nous enraciner quelque part pour fonder une famille et s'épanouir. C'est ainsi que nous avons trouvé notre petit coin de paradis au coeur de la forêt, dans le Piémont Lanaudois, au Québec, proche du petit village de Sainte Mélanie.

    En 2024, nous nous sommes lancés, avec l'aide de la communauté, dans la construction de la maison de nos rêves.

    Cette année l'aventure continue mais nous voulons partager nos folies avec plus de monde !

    Au programme cette année:
    - Apprendre des techniques de construction type GREB (en ballots de paille)
    - Apprendre les principes de maison solaire passive
    - Création d'un plancher de terre crue
    -Création d'un foyer de masse type batchblock ( Uzume)
    - Permaculture (plantes médicinales et jardin potager)

    Nous avons une roulotte pour vous accueillir et fournissons les repas les jours d'aide.
    Nous partageons nos matins et vous êtes libre en après-midi !

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Help around the house
  • Interests

    Interests

    Culture
    Politics / Social justice
    LGBTQ
    Sustainability
    Movies & TV
    Astronomy
    Writing
    Hitchhiking
    Plant care
    Music
    Gardening
    Carpentry
    Cooking & food
    Books
    Art & design
    Architecture
    Animals
    Nature
    Camping
    Winter sports
    Mountain
    Outdoor activities
    Hiking
    Cycling
    Adventure sports
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Things to do in the area:
    - Swimming in the rivers and lakes
    - Wild evenings at the Coop Bal Maski
    - Coop Jardinons and surrounding villages
    - Hikes on our land and in the parks

    We want to share our experience of building a GREB house (strawball), throughout the summer we will make lime plasters, an earthen floor, cultivate the vegetable garden and the medicinal plant garden.
    We also have a lot of knowledge in kayaking, mountain biking (MTB) and bike mechanics.

    __________________


    Nous souhaitons partager notre expérience de la construction d'une maison GREB (en paille), tout au long de l'été nous allons faire des enduits à la chaux, un sol en terre crue, un foyer de masse type batchblock, cultiver le jardin potager et le jardin de plante médicinal. Nous avons beaucoup de connaissance en kayak, vélo de montagne (vtt) et mécanique vélo.

    Choses à faire dans le coin :
    - Nager dans les rivières et lacs alentours
    - Activités et soirée endiablées à la coop Bal Maski
    - Activités et conférences à la Coop Jardinons
    - Randonnées pedestres dans les parcs de la région
    - Kayak, vtt (mtb), marche, escalade

  • Help

    Help

    You will help us with daily tasks (meal preparation, food harvesting in the garden and the forest) and if you feel like it, given that we have embarked on the construction of our dream house, if you want to learn and get your hands dirty on different types of unconventional construction (strawball house, earthen floors, mass heater, rainwater harvesting, lime plastering), herbalism, permaculture and any outdoor sport combined, you should not be bored!

    __________________


    Vous nous aiderez sur les tâches quotidiennes (préparation des repas, récolte de nourriture dans le jardin et la forêt) et si le coeur vous en dit étant donné que nous nous sommes lancés dans la construction de notre maison de rêve, si vous voulez en apprendre et mettre la main à la pâte sur des types de construction non conventionnel (maison de paille, dalle de terre crue, foyer de masse, récupération d'eau de pluie, enduit à la chaux), sur l'herboristerie, la permaculture et tout sport de plein air confondu, vous ne devriez pas vous ennuyer !

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Spanish: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    Français and english

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have an RV. Queen size bed and 2 single beds. Water and electricity. Any food in particular, flexitarien some would say. But we can adjust any kinds of food, vegan or vege.

    __________________

    Nous avons une roulotte avec un lit double et 2 lits simples. Branché à l'eau et l'électricité. Nous mangeons de tout, flexitarien diront certains. Vegan et végé si besoin.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    A bus stop is in front of our driveway, we are 1h30 from Montréal, 2h30 from Québec, in some small hills surrounded by nice forest.

    L'arrêt d'autobus est devant notre entrée, nous sommes à 1h30 de Montréal, 2h30 de Québec au coeur de petits vallons dans la forêt.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Down 112mbps up is 34

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Nous avons un stationnement pour vous ! We have a place to park.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Nous avons 2 chats mais acceptons tous les animaux ! We accept any kind of animals but we have 2 cats.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 822399179657

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Photos

The image shows a man and woman taking a selfie together, both wearing straw hats, with a blurred outdoor background of trees and sky.
The image depicts a serene scene of a house with a large yard, featuring a small pond and a forest in the background, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
The image depicts a serene landscape with a cluster of buildings, featuring a large open area and a few trees, evoking a sense of tranquility and peacefulness. The scene is likely a rural or natural setting.
The image depicts a serene outdoor scene with a hammock, camper, and tent situated in a grassy area surrounded by trees, evoking a sense of tranquility and relaxation.
The image depicts a rural landscape with a small clearing, featuring a wooden structure, a large tree, and a body of water, evoking a sense of natural beauty and tranquility.
The image depicts a house under construction, featuring a wooden frame and roof trusses, with a clear blue sky and trees visible in the background.
The image depicts a house under construction, featuring a gable roof and a white plastic sheet covering the exterior, with a forested area in the background.
The image depicts a long, narrow trough filled with straw and cement, situated within a wooden frame, likely used for constructing a building or wall.

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