Outdoor activities at the castle on the banks of the river Saone in France

Details

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  Description

  Hello, my name is Selina, and I live in a small castle by the banks of the Saone River in France, together with my husband and six cats. We have been in this area since 2011, living in different houses, and finally settling in at the castle at the beginning of 2023. We live here all year round, and I take care of the ongoing restorations, as well as the large garden and grounds. I'm a cookbook author and photographer, and open the castle to host private culinary events over the summer months. During the winter months I write and dedicate much of my time to research the history of our castle and its inhabitants.
  
  But all in all I spend most of my time in and about the house, doing delicate parts of restorations, managing builders, carpenters and ongoing works. I take care of about 1 hectare of garden grounds, half of which is undergoing landscaping changes, plus a large vegetable and flower garden upcoming.
  
  I love being outside in all kinds of weather and am not afraid to get my hands dirty. I do think I'm an entertaining person and people generally have lots of fun working with me, though I very well see that this statement might need proof, which I'm happy to provide on request in terms of references.
  
  The castle I live in is set in about a hectare of garden, meadows and woods, and comes with a little cottage. As a workawayer you’ll have the cottage mostly to yourself throughout the year.
  
  Living here you‘ll have plenty of opportunity for outdoor hobbies, as we‘re living right on the banks of the Saone river. Fishing, cycling, boating, hiking, foraging etc. Dijon is a good hours drive from here. Spending time with us will definitely give you the chance of learning about French food culture and wine, in addition to learn about the history of this area, restoration techniques and gardening hacks.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Events & social

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Culture

  

  Plant care

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  History

  

  Photography

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Blogging

  

  Architecture

  

  Writing

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Carpentry

  

  Animals

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We will mostly work together, possibility to speak French, German or English during this time if you'd like to enhance your language skills. Furthermore happy to share my gardening/cooking skills.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  I'm looking for help for garden works and, to a lesser degree, indoor help from time to time. Living here, you'll work at least an afternoon a week with me, going after the various seasonal tasks that come with this large property.
  
  You will also be responsible for keeping the cottage garden in shape and regularly mow the green. Other works include:
  - moving furniture
  -clear out garden space
  -prepare the soil for planting
  -help me create garden paths
  -decorating rooms
  -weeding
  
  All the above and asks will be carried out together with me, which gives you also the opportunity to learn/deepen language skills (I speak French, English and German). In addition, living on site will give you the chance to immerse in French country life culture.
  
  I'm looking for someone with a hands on attitude who likes to help, being outside in the weather and not afraid to get muddy boots.
  
  You are NOT expected to help with hosting/culinary part of my work, though I'm happy to share insights if you're interested into this part too. You are also NOT expected to take care of my pets, though cat sitting/feeding during short 2-3 days absences might be greatly appreciated.
  
  All in all I'm looking for somebody with the intention of a longer term stay.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Happy to speak either of these three languages with you during the time we work together.
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  Accommodation

  You'll stay at the castle cottage, located extra muros but on castle grounds. The cottage is simple and functional, and you'll have two rooms for your private use. Part of the cottage is used as storage room during certain types of restorations, hence can get messy. Kitchen, bathroom/shower, very large garden, very quiet area. You'll share the house (including kitchen and bathroom) when my mother stays here, usually 2-3 times per year for two weeks over the summer months plus a week over Christmas. The two rooms you occupy are for your exclusive use and are not shared.
  
  The village is located about a twenty minutes' drive from the next town. Amenities (supermarket, atm, pharmacy, café) are located at a ten minutes drive. We'll provide you with a bycle and I can give you a ride to town from time to time. Having your own car or motorcycle on grounds would be a plus in case you'd like to stay flexible.
  
  Life out here is very quiet and comes with all its rustic charms and chores. Possibly not suited if you're a person who likes the humdrum of large populated places and used to everything being available 24/7.
  
  We’ll share our table whenever possible. At the cottage you‘ll have a fully equipped kitchen for your private use, where you can also cater for your own needs.

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  What else ...

  It's perfectly possible for you to pursue whatever type of remote work from here.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We're happy to equip the house with wifi in case you're pursuing remote work from here.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  All kinds of pets are very welcome, however dogs are subject to discussion with me, as not allowed intra muros. No stables/pasture on the property but might be possible to arrange for in the vicinity.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  Several cats on grounds

  We have a total of six cats on ground at the castle, of which majority are stray cats we‘re taking care of (neuter, medical follow up etc). Cats are not at the cottage/accommodation.

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