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Living green, permaculture in the Dordogne countryside, France

France
Favourited 1130 times
Last activity: 21 Mar 2024

Profile information

Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
53
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Email verified

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Availability

2024

Min stay requested: at least a week

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Description
*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ We are also looking for someone to help us especially with tending to the land and helping with meals/home. Please contact us if you are happy to join our little family for this time...

We are a French-American family with two awesome kids, living in our eco-home that we built ourselves in the Dordogne countryside. Kevin is French, has had multiple professional lives (musician, carpenter/green builder, translator) and now Nonviolent Communication facilitator and trauma therapist; Elizabeth is American and a psychologist and psychotherapist from California. We have a delightful 15 year old boy and 12 year old girl. We are very interested in sustainable living, permaculture, meditation, nonviolence and community. And you!

We're loving living in our ecological home, hooray! After a break from hosting, we're again feeling really excited and open to hosting and meeting some lovely beings. We have a few projects to bring our home and life to the next stage: a permacultural approach to our land involving the creation of gardens, chickens, bees, dry stone walls, planting trees, terracing... to invite beauty and life around us. Our orientation is to make our land and life abundant and resilient while trying to enjoy every step of the process. So come and join us if you would love to work with the land! We also have some spots dedicated mostly to helping in the house and around meals.

Our son attends high school and is boarding there during weekdays. OMG! Our 12 year old daughter is passionate about animals and nature, playing piano, and drawing and creating...

Our upcoming projects as of fall 2023 are:
- weeding, watering and tending the existing trees/gardens, making our land more and more a paradise!

We really invite people who love to share time with children.
Always welcome: volunteers with gardening, land-work and building skills!
Also amazing if you are a musician and can teach us some of your skills and passion!
We would be delighted to share with you our interests for permaculture, meditation and nonviolence.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are a very open-minded, bi-cultural (French-American) family. We love hosting folks from around the world. We love the cultural exchange side of workaway, we have made incredible friendships and have felt really nourished by the flow of young adventurers who have graced our home!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for help with developing our projects on our 1.2 hectare land (3 acres) where we have built our straw-bale house, and we'd love to host folks who have interests and/or skills in caring for land and green building, and also people who love children. Our schedule is: setting up a self-retreat space in the forest, terraces and cabin, land work, etcetera... :)

Also, Kevin is a certified Nonviolent Communication facilitator and therapist and would love some help to put together a blog or easily manageable website about communication, presence and relationship. Elizabeth needs help also with a website for her psychotherapy practice. So if you have such skills and don't mind mixing outdoor work with a bit of programming, we would be very excited to meet you!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We have a guest room in a little office cabin that can accommodate a single person or couple. It is quite cozy and away from the main house so has privacy. Folks could also camp in the forest on our land if they prefer the outdoors during warm months where we have a beautiful open-air cabin. We also have a lovely 3m bell tent. We provide healthy vegetarian meals.
What else ...
It's a beautiful area, nearby there are countryside fields, a river, forest, caves, castles, and beautiful villages to explore...
If you are enthusiastic and keen to learn a lot about sustainable living, please contact us!
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Yes, we've got good internet connection (fiber).
Space for parking camper vans
We have a hectare of land, including an acre of forest where it is possible to park a camper van.
Can possibly accept pets
Let's talk about it! Mostly if your pet can cohabit easily with chickens and young plants, yes.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours/day, 5 days a week (plus help with washing up after meals)

Host ref number: 87851944d974

Feedback (26)

14 Nov 2023

Left by Workawayer (Gloria) for host

Unfortunately, I was only able to spend a week with Elizabeth and Noa, but this short time was enough to realize what great and kind-hearted people they are. I felt welcome and comfortable right from the start, I was able to work at my own pace and always choose the tasks I wanted to do from a selection (garden and in the house). I had great… read more

(Excellent )

30 Sep 2021

Left by Workawayer (Verena) for host

I had wonderful two weeks staying with this really creative, loving and welcoming family. I enjoyed gardening although I must admit that I won't ever really love weeding. But at least I know that now. Spending time with the kids was always a great time because both of them are so open, creative and clever. I learned a lot about cooking healthy… read more

(Excellent )

4 Sep 2020

Left by Workawayer (Becky) for host

We stayed with Kevin, Elizabeth, Noa and Lucien (and the chickens of cause) for 10 peaceful days in July. They were super friendly and hospitable, welcoming us into their family life.
Their lovely house in a very pretty area, surrounded by walnut trees, with lots of rivers and caves to explore near by.
The work was very fair; a couple of hours… read more

(Excellent )

View all 26 feedbacks

Photos

our permaculture vision for the land... trees, trees, trees and bees!

the pond and our little (but very cosy) cabin where you will probably stay if you come ;)

Show all photos

"they didn't it was impossible, so they did it!" when we intended to grow a massive garden of tomatoes while building our house (and raising 2 young kids!)

Our little yurt (now gone), and the whimsical cabin in the woods.

The house in the summer 2011... next: tiles on the roof, and wall structure for the future strawbales.

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:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

14 Nov 2023

Left by Workawayer (Gloria) for host

(Excellent )

30 Sep 2021

Left by Workawayer (Verena) for host

(Excellent )

4 Sep 2020

Left by Workawayer (Becky) for host

(Excellent )

14 Oct 2019

Left by Workawayer (Robin Bull) for host

What a family! These guys really are amazing and full of love. From the moment Elizabeth and the kids picked me up, they treated me like family. Their place is really special and and it is such an amazing feat that they built it by themselves. The surrounding area is incredible as well, and i appreciate that they always brought me a long to… read more

(Very good )

14 Mar 2019

Left by Workawayer (Ella) for host

I enjoyed staying with elizabeth kevin and the kids a lot. i was working there for about 3 weeks and mainly took care of noah and lucien after school aswell as doing simple house chores and doing some weeding. you can improve your english or french, whatever you prefer. i had some trouble with the cooking part as i‘m no vegetarian but elizabeth… read more

(Very good )

22 Jun 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Gaia)

We really enjoyed our time with Gaia. She was really sweet with our kids, we were really touched how she asked about their interests beforehand preparing her time with them. She helped us a lot, with the kids, the home, meals... She shared about her Italian culture and cooked some of her delicious local specialties. She took many beautiful photos… read more

(Excellent )

4 Sep 2017

Left by Workawayer (Gaia) for host

I couldn't have asked for a better first Workaway experience. It was such a pleasure for me to spend a month with this stunning family and to help them with anything I could, every day I got more and more inspired by their healthy life style and just their unique way to be. Kevin and Elizabeth are two very kind hearted people, with a lot of… read more

(Excellent )

12 Jan 2018

Left by Workawayer (Cristiana) for host

Although I was with you for a short time, it was enough to know that you are really good people, with an immense heart and relaxed life style. It was a pleasure to spend time with the kids, who are full of energy and specially Elizabeth, with whom I had some very nice conversations and who helped me a lot!
The work was very relaxed, there wasn't… read more

(Excellent )

30 Jul 2017

Left by Workawayer (özgün eylem) for host

I mıss you so much ! ı dont know where to start. ı feel so lucky , blessed to spend 3 weeks with you. It was my first tıme with Workaway and ı couldn't ask more ! ı was searching something but ı didn't know what ıt was and with this family ı found lots of things ; love , friendship , openness , hope for the future !
they made me feel at home all… read more

(Excellent )

17 Jul 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (özgün eylem)

It's been a joy to share a chapter of our life with Eylem. We are immensely grateful for her support during her stay, the great care she put in every little thing she did to help us, with the maintenance of the house, the meals, with being with our children or with the outdoor projects. We felt so much ease and trust and appreciation shating these… read more

(Excellent )

28 Jun 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Luiza)

There is something about Luiza's presence - patience, ease, grace, appreciative joy, openness - that felt like a total blessing for our family. We just all fell in love with her! Luiza's kindness and steadfast support with our children was a huge relief and help for us and our kids absolutely loved hanging out with her. In the evenings, it was fun… read more

(Excellent )

1 Jun 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Aurele & Isabel)

We very much enjoyed our short time with Isabel and Aurele. Our children loved hanging out with them. I was deeply appreciative of the care they put in the projects they got involved in, whether it was creating a beautiful stone area around our little pond (lots of care in the finishing details as well as efficiency), strimming, cooking delicious… read more

(Excellent )

1 Jun 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Fynn)

Our time with Fynn was a very special time. We loved hosting Fynn! During her time with us, she helped with energy and care with our gardening and building projects (weeding, transplanting raspberry bushes, moving stones and cutting branches before the digger came...) , and brought her easeful quality of presence and creativity to being with our… read more

(Excellent )

5 Jan 2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Lavender)

So sorry Lavender for the late feedback! What a blessing to have Lavender with us... a deep old soul, so full of care and loveliness. I cannot recommend her enough. She is always welcome in our home.

(Excellent )

14 Nov 2016

Left by Workawayer (Lavender) for host

Where do I even begin with this lovely family? I was lucky enough to spend an amazing three weeks with these lovely people, and learn so much about sustainable, green, living and building. My main tasks were spending time with the kids (crazy little balls of fun), and helping out as much as I could around the house whilst Kevin was away, and… read more

(Excellent )

24 Oct 2016

Left by Workawayer (Young9765) for host

It's really so fast as yesterday. We stay in Kevin & Elizabeth' house 2 weeks and enjoy some special moment such as Kevin's birthday. We chat at every dinner time, smile when played with 2 kids, learned with every daily creative works, take rest in the magic town, too many staffs here we like so much. All the time, we were quite comfortable to… read more

(Excellent )

18 Oct 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Young9765)

As we're writing this feedback, it's been a few months already that Yang and Ariel left our home. We miss them! It was such a joy hosting them two. I was really impressed by how quickly and how carefully Ariel and Yang would engage in any activity we were proposing, be it cooking, spending time with our children, gardening/weeding or building a… read more

(Excellent )

3 Oct 2016

Left by Workawayer (Catalina) for host

Just loved this family!! It was my first time with Workaway, and I couldn't have asked for a better family to share with.
I spent most of my time with the kids, Lucien and Noa, who are the most energetic and talkative kids, they are just lovely!
Elizabeth and Kevin are great hosts, they made me feel at home from the beginning. And I learnt so… read more

(Excellent )

21 Sep 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Kora)

We really enjoyed having Kora with us, what a lovely young woman, positive energy. We wish you the best on your travels.

(Excellent )

20 Aug 2016

Left by Workawayer (Kora) for host

My time with the family was beautiful, if a bit short. I spend a lot of time with the two children who were lovely, so full of life and energy. Thank you Kevin and Elizabeth for having me, sharing your stories and ideas with me. It was special to land somewhere and meet people who I could really connect to, it was a truly enriching experience <3… read more

(Excellent )

16 Mar 2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Elliot)

Ah shucks Elliot, you're so awesome yourself! Most lovely human being, such a pleasure to have him with us... Fun, gracious, warm-heart, patient, also really helpful, happy to help, these are words that come to mind thinking of Elliot. Our kids absolutely loved him too. We really hope Elliot will be with us again one day. We would be happy to… read more

(Excellent )

16 Mar 2016

Left by Workawayer (Elliot) for host

Although my stay with Kevin, Elizabeth, Lucien and Noah was a short one, the experience was truly rewarding.

I've been away from the house for a coupe weeks now and I still find myself frequently recalling: Noa's incredible sense of humor and witty nature; Lucien's imagination, curiosity and politeness; Elizabeth's heartfelt kindness, easy going… read more

(Excellent )

12 Sep 2015

Left by Workawayer (Hosanna & Madeleine) for host

We spent a week with Elizabeth and the kids while Kevin was away at a conference doing English-French translation. We were so grateful to have their home opened up to us while we were passing through this part of France. Elizabeth is a very gentle and sweet-souled individual who has her hands full with two energetic and lively children. While she… read more

(Very good )

18 Nov 2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Fred)

We appreciated very much the two weeks Fred spent with us. We enjoyed his sensitivity and depth, discipline, and easy-going, considerate and discreet ways and skillful help. We wish him the very best in his projects.

(Excellent )

18 Nov 2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Dan)

Dan is a real gem of a human being, so easy to host, gracious, considerate, grateful, and really disciplined and precise in his work. We appreciated sooo much his stay with us. We hope that he will have many good adventures and that he will come back to visit us again someday.

(Excellent )

24 Sep 2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Joshua)

We had a mixed experience hosting Josh. We very much appreciated many things about him (his uniqueness, his sweet connection with our son, his help with the land work and the loads of strimming he did, his offers to bake bread and his spurts of enthusiasm...). In other ways we found it challenging to host him and we didn't develop a sense of trust… read more

(Neutral )

5 Aug 2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Joseph)

We love Joe. His stay with us has been both incredibly helpful on the worksite and very rewarding on a human level. He is easy to work with and has been great whether the work was to sledgehammer a pathway through stone or to carefully smear a final clay or lime render on the walls. Our kids love him too. Joe is now a dear friend, always welcome… read more

(Excellent )

28 Jun 2013

Left by Workawayer (Joseph) for host

Fantastic hosts and now good friends! I stayed with them for 3 months and couldn't have asked for a better place to kickstart my workaway experience. The work is satisfying, the food is tasty and the company is stellar. I love this family.

(Excellent )

5 Feb 2013

Left by Workawayer (Seb) for host

My stay with Kevin and Elizabeth was unforgettable working with Kevin on the work site was a joy listening to music and learning the art of earth renders also learning about how he was building his straw bale house , Elizabeth's cooking was really nice and healthy always using fresh organic produce . Not forgetting Lucian and Noah the most… read more

(Excellent )

13 Nov 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Seb)

Seb stayed with us over 6 weeks, in some of the craziest time of our crazy life, and it was such a blessing. He's been helpful in so many ways, of course on the worksite, taking over responsabilities, organizing the work when Kevin was away... He is skilled with woodwork, hard working and doing fantastic clay render mixes! We appreciated so much… read more

(Excellent )

29 Nov 2012

Left by Workawayer (kazandnick) for host

Our two weeks with Elizabeth and Kevin, Lucien and Noa was just wonderful. They are a warm and extremely welcoming family. The food was healthy and delicious. We really enjoyed our work at the house and we found it relaxing. If you want to experience life in the French countryside with a genuinely gorgeous, environmentally conscious family then… read more

(Excellent )

13 Nov 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Charlie)

That was short but really lovely to meet Charlie and Jess. Their genuine love of music, their generous help on the worksite and at home, and their general openness and flexibility were all very supportive and inspiring. Thank you!

(Excellent )

13 Nov 2012

Left by Workawayer (Charlie) for host

we really enjoyed this beautiful place. the kids are adorable and kevin & elizabeth were very chilled out, and adorable too. very inspiring, i will definitely look more into enneagrams!
the other workawayers also staying were really fun too.
sorry for the delay in feedback and hope you are all still doing well!

(Very good )

13 Nov 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Alastair)

It was so great and fun working with Ali and getting to know each other, ultimately to become good friends. Great also to have his efficient carpentry skills and common sense on the worksite. Ali is easy going, open-minded and positive, and left his hoove mark on our land and in my heart. Love you Buffalo, you are always welcome!

(Excellent )

15 Oct 2012

Left by Workawayer (Alastair) for host

A truly memorable experience. Kevin is full of life and is a great person to be around. His summer routine was great and gets every moment out of a day. His passion for his projects are infectious and a genuine inspiration to be around. Thank you again for a great time and will see you again soon.

(Excellent )

7 Nov 2012

Left by Workawayer (gregor) for host

A big thanks to Kevin, Eliziabeth and the kids for hosting me at short notice at the beginning of October. I enjoyed working with my fellow workawayer Seb, cobbing to the music and the nice veggie food.

Many new experiences were had here which included meeting an Australian Buddhist monk on a day off, going hitchhiking with Seb, sleeping… read more

(Excellent )

15 Oct 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Edward)

It was a pleasure to host Edward. What a considerate and thoughtful person. He was so helpful on the worksite (and in the home). We felt at ease with Edward, truly appreciated his generous, grateful, autonomous, easy and discreet way of being. He is very welcome in our home and we hope he will return!

(Excellent )

29 Sep 2012

Left by Workawayer (Edward) for host

There is a very good reason why this page is full of excellent reviews: this family and this project are quite simply awesome.

Kevin and Elizabeth’s warmness is something else. They made me feel at ease and extremely welcome- it wasn’t long before I felt part of the family.

Working with Kevin was an absolute pleasure. He has so much to share.… read more

(Excellent )

19 Jul 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Kim)

Kim was indeed another angel gracing our home. We enjoyed so much his visit, it felt like he became family in such a quick time. What a lovely human being, we had so much fun together, enjoyed his easy nature and generous help. Our kids absolutely loved him. Kim you are always welcome, we hope you'll be back to visit someday!

(Excellent )

10 Jul 2012

Left by Workawayer (Kim) for host

Eheey! Wish I could've stayed longer...
Kevin, Elizabeth and the kids welcomed me with opened arms and hearts. The week was full of laughs, great meals, interesting work, a trip to the market (can't remember how to say in French), relaxing moments, great talks and lots of learning...
The work was fair and there's heaps of different things to do -… read more

(Excellent )

18 Jul 2012

Left by Workawayer (Paul) for host

Staying with the Dancelme family has been an experience which I'll treasure. Such welcoming people, friendly too. I enjoyed their way of life, to me so family orientated. Good healthy fresh food and good healthy honest work made for good days with Kevin and the family. The area is nice and quiet with nature in abundance all around. I loved my time… read more

(Excellent )

24 Jun 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Paul)

Can we give Paul 5 stars?!! We absolutely loved hosting Paul, he is one of the most considerate human beings out there. We were amazed how he would just observe what was needed and then jump to it. It was great fun to work together on the house and in the woods. It was a pleasure to have him in our home, we felt at ease, good laughs. We miss you… read more

(Excellent )

24 Jun 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Sbuchelt)

We're grateful for Slawomir's help during his stay with us. I'll remember your hard work and our interesting conversations when we were working together doing masonery, building the mezzanine and all the wood you cut and organized behind the house. Thank you Slawek... and thanks for introducing us to Raul Midon!

(Excellent )

3 May 2012

Left by Workawayer (Sbuchelt) for host

I loved staying with Kevin and Elizabeth, they are beautiful people! They are a lovely family - I had fun with their kids. I really appreciated their hospitality, they are kind, warm, inteligent. I've learned much more from them than I expected! If you are looking for a fantastic leader who respects the people he works with, who will teach you… read more

(Excellent )

11 Mar 2012

Left by host for Workawayer (MonikaBirgit)

Thank you Birgit for your help and quiet presence. We're glad you enjoyed your time with us. All the best to you.

(Excellent )

9 Jan 2012

Left by Workawayer (MonikaBirgit) for host

I spent the November with this lovely family and I really enjoyed their simple way of life. The region is absolutely beautiful and the people are so kind! Thank you so much Elizabeth and Kevin for this extraordenary experience!!! All the best for you!

(Excellent )

17 Jan 2012

Left by Workawayer (bcra11) for host

Kevin, Eliziabeth, Lucien and Noah are a beautiful family! we loved staying with them for the week! they really opend our eyes to the workaway program..
Rob learnt alot from Kevin with his amazing carpentry skills and will hope to use these skills back home!
I had a great time with the kids and Elizabeth! Very entertaing children!
Hopefully we… read more

(Excellent )

30 Nov 2011

Left by host for Workawayer (bcra11)

We loved having Rob and Bridget for the week they spent with us, so sweet, helpful, easygoing, discreet, positive, and such a warm presence in our home... Kevin appreciated so much Rob's carpentry skills, and Bridget was so amazingly helpful in the home, just helping out intuitively knowing what would be helpful. Thank you guys!!! Hope your… read more

(Excellent )

4 Dec 2011

Left by host for Workawayer (GRIFFON)

Loic is an old (young) carpenter friend of Kevin's, who has spent time with our family during his travels and transitions. He has spent the past couple months helping out our family enormously, giving a skillful hand to Kevin with the house project, and we are so grateful for his help and presence in our home! Loic is generous, respectful,… read more

(Excellent )

30 Nov 2011

Left by host for Workawayer (Ben)

We love Ben!! He is our tribe! Welcome home Benny, come back!!! Seriously, Ben is fantastic, positive, skilled, hard-working, motivated, funny, fun, and we just love him.

(Excellent )

30 Nov 2011

Left by host for Workawayer (esroof)

We were very touched by Eric's short visit with us. He was very respectful and easily accommodated even though it was the end of our hosting time and he camped out on our land. He was curious about our lifestyle in France and really helpful on the worksite and in the forest. Thank you Eric!

(Excellent )

30 Nov 2011

Left by host for Workawayer (mfrerichs)

Marshall became like family during his month with us. We had many good conversations late into the night. He was helpful both on the worksite and in the home. Thank you Marshall!

(Excellent )

30 Nov 2011

Left by host for Workawayer (Olivia)

Olivia is full of graciousness. She simply blesses one with her presence. We love her. She loves simple pleasures, good food, good company, beautiful sunsets. We enjoyed her time with us, thank you dear Olivia.

(Excellent )

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Living green, permaculture in the Dordogne countryside, France

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Last replied

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Badges (3)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Projects involving children

Help

Languages

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

Can host digital nomads

Space for parking camper vans

Can possibly accept pets

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (26)

Photos

Feedback