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15 Apr 2025
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Description
Hello!
My name is Murphy, and I live between Cornwall and France, where my mother runs an arts association, a beautiful 18th-century home that has been in our family for a couple of centuries. Until 2022, I was working as a confectioner (I make and sell natural marshmallows) and an occasional arts journalist, but then it my mother suggested I become involved with the chateau, and as my children have spread their wings, I was delighted.
As funds are always needed for the house, gardens and association, I began running intimate creative retreats there. They have attracted people from all over the world and earned many 5star reviews. With the proceeds, I have converted a garage to a multi-purpose studio, installed a dressing up room in the attic and made some much needed improvements. We have also been able to continue welcoming artists, writers and musicians for funded summer residencies, during which they show and explain their work to the local community.
The idea is to continue welcoming both French and international artists to the historic, romantic and quite bohemian chateau, as we have for over three decades, and to be able to make it an attractive, comfortable and stimulating place for them to be.
It is a lovely part of France, surprisingly unknown despite it being so close to Paris. There is lots to visit with cycling distance: lakes, forests, rivers, villages, farms. And a bit further afield there are medieval chateaus, World war I and II relics, and lively river towns.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Events & social
Culture
Movies & TV
Performing arts
Photography
Gardening
Writing
Cooking & food
Music
Books
Art & design
Hiking
Cycling
Water sports
Nature
Dancing
Beach
Camping
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We aim to make every visitor feel at home and learn about a French rural way of life, slower and simpler. Between eating all our meals together, and preparing some together too, you might cycle to the farm to collect fresh milk and eggs, or join me in making the jam (usually rhubarb from the garden), or learn to play French billiards (no pockets!). There are often creatives visiting and we encourage everyone to exchange ideas at mealtimes. We speak both French and English, love meeting new people and finding out about their cultures and lives.
The gardens are a beautiful example of 'parc a l'anglaise', meaning picturesque, natural and informal, in contrast to the symmetry of many French gardens, and we have tended to them lovingly for over thirty years, teaching many volunteers about permaculture principles and always avoiding pesticides. We love using the fruit, vegetables, herbs and nuts we grow for our meals, and think you'll agree homegrown tastes best.
There are a lot of activities available at the chateau: a piano, guitars, a billiard table, table tennis, a practice tightrope, trapeze, yoga mats and bikes for you to explore nearby villages and swimming lakes. We're happy to show you the best spots
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).
Help
Our main reason for welcoming volunteers is that we want to make the chateau open and available to as wide a range of people as possible to enjoy. It is a beautiful, fascinating house, full of magic and glimpses of bygone eras, and was designed to accommodate many. We love nothing more than seeing it full of people, and answering questions and telling stories about its rich history and our family history too. It is a place for open-minded, curious people, who love nature, history and new, though old-fashioned, experiences.
Every day is different, and we try to make them entertaining, whether it is outdoors: light help in the hectare of gardens, orchard, kitchen garden and small wood, or indoors: jam-making, helping with some light maintenance, improving your French or English, helping prepare meals and getting used to green living.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
You'll have your own room in the chateau, and if we have a full house (which is rare), you'll stay in the 4m furnished bell tent in the orchard. There are two kitchens and so if someone is cooking in the main kitchen, you can always make a hot drink or have a snack in the communal kitchen. We will take turns to lay out breakfast and cook meals in the main kitchen and eat lunch and dinner together, outside in the warmer months.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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