Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 Jan 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
38
Email verified
Country info
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Bonjour future Workawayers!
We are a Belgian family who, in early 2022, took the leap and moved to rural France to create a more self-sufficient, nature-connected way of life.
Our place is nestled in the rolling countryside near the village of Pionsat in the centre of France, where we are slowly building a food forest and a permaculture vegetable garden. This is very much a living, evolving project — hands in the soil, learning by doing, and growing together.
We share our land with chickens, two ponies, two dogs and several beehives, with plans to expand our beekeeping in the future. Life here follows the seasons, and no two weeks are exactly the same.
We deeply value cultural exchange and human connection. For us, hosting is not just about getting help, but about sharing meals, conversations, ideas and experiences. We are a family with young children, so our place is lively and full of daily family life — something we love, but we understand it’s not for everyone.
How you can help
Depending on the season and your interests, help can include:
Working in the vegetable garden and food forest (planting, mulching, weeding, harvesting)
Caring for the animals (feeding, cleaning, general care)
Small construction or renovation projects
General daily tasks that come with rural life
We work in a relaxed and flexible rhythm, always leaving space for learning, exchange and enjoying the process together. No expert skills are required — motivation, curiosity and a willingness to participate are what matter most.
What you’ll get in return
You’ll enjoy home-cooked meals (often with produce from the garden), a calm and natural environment, and plenty of free time to rest or explore. The region offers beautiful hikes, lakes for swimming, quiet villages, and even the nearby volcano area for adventurous day trips. Evenings are often spent together — cooking, talking, or simply enjoying the silence and the stars.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, close to nature and far from mass tourism, we’d love to meet you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We can speak Dutch, English and French together. There are opportunities for learning about permaculture and homesteading. If you are looking for a peaceful stay where you can connect with nature, this is your place. You can explore the beautiful rural environment by foot, go swimming or just relax with a book.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
What we need help with:
Working in the vegetable garden: sowing, planting, harvesting, and general diy tasks
Taking care of the land and, if you’d like, helping with the animals
Sharing creative ideas and taking initiative to help shape this evolving project.
No experience? No problem! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just eager to learn, you are welcome here. We’re all in a learning process and enjoy exchanging knowledge about permaculture, food preservation, and homesteading.
Languages
Languages spoken
Dutch: Fluent
English: Intermediate
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We love to improve our French and maintain our English. We can help with learning Dutch and English.
Accommodation
We offer several accommodation options: a camping spot in our garden (with a tent and mattress available), a stay in our caravan, or a parking space for your own campervan in front of the house. Our home is simple, but we spend most of our time outdoors, enjoying nature and working on our project.
We share three meals a day, mostly vegetarian, with the option for vegan meals as well.
Work & Schedule
The work here is calm and flexible—no strict schedules or clock-watching. We aim for a loose daily rhythm that suits both us and our volunteers. Since we often work all day ourselves, we encourage everyone to find a balance that works.
In summer, when the heat is intense, we prefer to work early in the morning and later in the afternoon when it cools down.
What else ...
We live in the Combrailles region, a hidden gem in France known for its beautiful landscapes and tranquility. Public transport here is limited, so having your own vehicle is a plus. However, we are accessible by a combination of bus and train, and we’re happy to help you find the best route!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have plenty of space for parking a van. We can provide electricity and water.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (18)
Lio and Sanne are both such lovely people and I felt at home from Day one!
I loved how they don't treat you like a stranger, but with so much love, trust and humour that you feel really welcome:)
You get included into family life so organically. Their two children… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
Lio and Sanne are both such lovely people and I felt at home from Day one!
I loved how they don't treat you like a stranger, but with so much love, trust and humour that you feel really welcome:)
You get included into family life so organically. Their two children… read more
The place is magnificent, full of love and laughter. The working hours are flexible and never excessive, always respectful of your commitments and those of the family in general.
With them I truly felt at home — they always included me in all their adventures without ever making me feel out of… read more
Their work requirements were… read more
He was up for any outdoor task and handled the weedwhacker like a pro. He helped tame the jungle in our garden, assisted with building the chicken coop and the deck, and even removed the old garden fence. Always cheerful and easygoing, we shared some wonderful evenings playing games and chatting… read more
The work was really pleasant - helping in the garden, painting, taking care of the horses. There was no stricte schedules or hours which was definitely a plus and the food was great!!!
The area is beautiful so I did many long walks which was also a big advantage :)
To sum up: I… read more
Aside from that, we… read more
Every single little project was interesting and inspiring and I truly admire what they're trying to do (so much so… read more
I really felt like part of the family. The communication was ideal when we arranged something the day prior. I arrived after some transit mishaps but they picked me up directly from the station and that was a huge help. Sanne's humor and vitality kept me smiling and Lio's… read more
