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19 Mar 2025
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Description
Hello! We are Steven and Jenny, a couple embarking on an exciting journey to create a self-sufficient homestead on our 22-hectare property in the stunning French countryside. Our dream is to grow as many vegetables as possible, care for our animals, and live sustainably off the land. We moved here 18 months ago and feel it's time to share our experience and get some help.
We share our little slice of paradise with six chickens, a proud cockerel, two adorable ducks, three playful kittens, one cat, and two dogs so workaways must be comfortable around animals.
We’re looking for enthusiastic Workawayers to join us in this rewarding adventure. In return, you’ll stay in our cosy, independent one-bedroom gîte or, if you prefer, there’s plenty of space for campervans. We love sharing meals, stories, and ideas, and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the beautiful surroundings of the Pyrenees Orientales.
If you’re passionate about sustainable living, and animals, or just looking for a unique experience in the South of France, we’d love to hear from you. Come help us bring our vision of a thriving homestead to life!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live in the breathtaking Pyrénées-Orientales, a region of French Catalonia surrounded by majestic mountains, lush forests, and a serene river that flows through the landscape. It’s a haven for nature lovers and those seeking peace, tranquillity, and the chance to experience an alternative way of life.
This tranquil corner of the South of France offers endless opportunities to explore the wonders of French Catalonia, known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning scenery. From picturesque villages and ancient ruins to hiking trails and hidden natural gems, there’s something here to inspire and captivate every traveller.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Our tasks around the property vary with the seasons, providing plenty of opportunities to learn and share skills. In the springtime, our main focus is seed planting, preparing vegetable beds, weeding, fertilizing and cutting back plants.
In the summer months, our focus shifts to harvesting and preserving the bounty of our organic homegrown produce. There’s plenty of watering to keep everything thriving and time spent enjoying the season by cooling off at our favourite bathing spot in the river that winds through our property.
The winter months are quieter, allowing us to focus on forest tidying, compost making, and preparing the garden in anticipation of the upcoming planting season.
Year-round, we have ongoing animal care and general maintenance. We also work on specific projects, such as improving chicken and duck enclosures or managing grass cutting and strimming.
Steven and I are hands-on and spend most days working on the land. We enjoy collaborating with volunteers, sharing the knowledge we've gained so far, and learning from those with experience in homesteading, sustainable gardening, or related areas. For larger projects or more specialized work, we also hire local tradespeople to support our efforts.
All food will be provided by us, and we love making mealtimes a shared experience. Lunch is always eaten together, and whenever possible, we gather for dinner as well. Many of our meals are made with organic produce (we only use natural fertilizer and no pesticides) straight from the garden (depending on the season), and Workawayers are welcome to help themselves.
Cooking is often a collaborative effort—sometimes I’ll take the lead, and other times it’s a shared activity. We’re always excited to learn new recipes and explore ideas from different cuisines, so if you enjoy cooking, we’d love for you to share your favourite dishes! While we are meat-eaters, vegetarians are absolutely welcome, and we’re happy to adjust meals to suit different preferences.
This cultural exchange around food is one of the most rewarding parts of hosting, and we hope you’ll enjoy these shared moments as much as we do.
Our place is ideal for those considering homesteading themselves and wanting a taster of what day-to-day life looks like. The work is rewarding and takes place in a peaceful, natural setting, where everyone’s contributions and ideas are valued.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis 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 offer a charming, independent open-plan gîte that’s perfect for your stay. The gîte features a cosy one-bedroom set up with kitchen facilities, a bathroom complete with a small bath and shower, and a comfortable lounge area with a log burner to keep you warm on cooler evenings.
The gîte boasts stunning views of the river, forest, and mountains, immersing you in the natural beauty of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Plus, the tranquil River Tech flows right beside it, adding a soothing soundtrack to your stay.
For those travelling in campervans, we also have plenty of space to accommodate you. Whether you’re in the gîte or your camper, you’ll feel right at home amidst the peace and beauty of our surroundings.
We will provide all the food for your homesteading stay, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, and we love making mealtimes a shared experience.
Lunch is always eaten together, and whenever possible, we gather for dinner as well. Many of our meals are made with organic produce straight from the garden (depending on the season), and Workawayers are welcome to pick and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables for meals.
Our goal is to provide as much healthy, organic, homegrown fruit and vegetables as possible, embracing the flavours of each season. In the winter, we enjoy hearty stews and roasted vegetables to keep us warm and nourished. In the summer, our garden overflows with vibrant tomatoes, basil, juicy watermelons, crisp cucumbers, and more, allowing us to focus on fresh, wholesome meals.
While we don’t currently eat our own chickens or ducks, we do source meat elsewhere. However, our free-range chickens bless us with an abundance of organic eggs, perfect for delicious omelettes, baked goods, and other treats. Whether it’s cosy winter fare or light summer dishes, healthy and mindful eating is always at the heart of our kitchen.
Cooking is often a collaborative effort—sometimes I’ll take the lead, and other times it’s a shared activity. We’re always excited to learn new recipes and explore ideas from different cuisines, so if you enjoy cooking, we’d love for you to share your favourite dishes! While we are meat-eaters, vegetarians are absolutely welcome, and we’re happy to adjust meals to suit different preferences. I am not a very accomplished vegan cook but vegans are welcome if they are happy to prepare their own food which we will provide.
This cultural exchange around food is one of the most rewarding parts of hosting, and we hope you’ll enjoy these shared moments as much as we do.
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
Campers and motorhomes are warmly welcomed, with a variety of scenic spots to park. Whether you prefer a peaceful spot in the forest next to the river, or somewhere closer to the houses, you’ll find the perfect place to settle in and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. We provide access to toilet and bathroom facilities, as well as electricity for lighting (please note:- not for cooking or heating). It’s the ideal setup for those seeking a comfortable yet off-grid experience in the heart of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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