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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 May 2025
Feedback
43
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Details
Description
Come and join us in a Garden of Eden in the South of France! We are Greg, a Franco-American author and TV writer; and the polyvalent Jani, a salt-of-the-earth, former Finnish soldier, cyber security expert ... and the property manager. We're following our dream and life's purpose of operating a charitable foundation, a place of well-being, practicality and spirituality, in honor of Greg's late son. As we build that, we'd like to welcome you to our permaculture and forest regeneration project in a 12th-century domain set on 40 hectares in the lower Cévennes region, at the boundaries of the Gard and Lozère counties. The property borders a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Mediterranean Agro-Pastoral Cultural Landscape. It's old, rustic and a bit wild (a restorative work-in-progress...) but it is a haven in a private forest, with dozens of ancient stone terraces lining the hillsides, pristine drinking water from a mountain source, streams with natural swimming holes, cascades, hiking, and a Mediterranean climate with temperatures similar to nearby Provence (but with lower summer humidity and fewer mosquitoes). The location is rural, so best for nature lovers and independent, autonomous people; although a village with all the essentials -- excellent bakery with breads, desserts and fresh, home-made takeaway dishes; convenience store; weekly market -- is five kilometers away. Other villages are within 15-20 minutes by car.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Books
Sustainability
Pets
Culture
Self development
Movies & TV
Farming
Charity work
DIY & crafts
Plant care
Writing
Performing arts
LGBTQ
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Architecture
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Mountain
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The setting is a rare site of stunning, unpolluted nature in one of the most authentic regions of France. The home is an historical monument, the seat of a noble Protestant family, with a colorful past. Mediterranean culture and cévenole cuisine abound, with local, organic produce. We enjoy having people of all cultures, ages and backgrounds, and learning from them as much as we do sharing our knowledge and life experiences. Conversation can be in English, French or Finnish, and we would be happy to help Workawayers improve their skills in those languages. For someone interested in a longer stay, we could possibly offer formal permaculture instruction with videos and hands-on experience.
Help
Permaculture and Forest Gardening, DIY projects with local-sourced wood and stones,
On the grounds is a natural reserve with campsites. Rather than open it to the public, we prefer to let Workawayers enjoy the grounds for themselves. Very welcome are those who enjoy gardening; permaculture; DIY projects, working with local wood, slate and quartz; forest care, such as identifying and clearing overgrown paths, removing natural debris, which is then used for compost, in order to preserve and revitalize dry stone terrasses that have facilitated drainage and water harvesting and kept the hillsides fertile for centuries. Almost everything is sourced from the land, and there's a lot to work with. Jani and occasional local laborers handle the heavier work involving machinery, but for those interested in learning about all aspects of land management, we have a workshop and high quality tools for DIY projects, with lumber created from local from chestnut, ash and holly trees, We're always open to suggestions from artistic, creative types :). There is a wide variety of choices of tasks, depending on a Workawayer's interests. We want to enjoy what you learn and do here!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Finnish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Swedish: FluentThis 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
In the essences of camaraderie, diversity and cultural exchange, we generally prefer to host at least two Workawayers at a time (maximum of 4), who are lodged in guest houses. Each is a two-storey, comfortable stone dwelling of approximately 65 square meters (700 sf) with two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, dining area, living room and large terrace, set in a park of several hectares.
We enjoy most evenings to ourselves, but Workawayers will have their own kitchens, and food will be provided (store bought, as well as from the gardens here and local farms and markets). Of course, we hope you will also join us at the dining table for occasional meals and conversation!
What else ...
We are private, respectful and hygienic people who appreciate those same qualities in others. This situation is ideal for mature, independent Workawayers with good work and social ethics, but not for those looking for a tightly-knit, communal environment. We are friendly, collaborative and easygoing, and you will always have our participation, guidance and instruction during working time, but we also appreciate moments of reclusiveness (especially Greg, the writer) ... and treasure our alone time as much as we do the company of others. For the first time in our lives, we wake up grateful every morning to be living in such an exceptional place, where nature and its energy are at their finest. The level of peace and quiet is rare -- calming, inspiring and revitalizing. We seek to host Workawayers who value and respect those elements of life..
The property has almost everything for nature lovers -- water sources, large pool, workout area, sauna, hiking paths, organic vegetable gardens -- in one of the most beautiful parts of France, with local options for sightseeing, longer hiking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, etc. The closest commuter train station is Sainte-Cécile-d'Andorge (14 kilometers). A supermarket in the city of La Grand-Combe is 25 minutes away. The city of Alès, with a bigger train station and all major commerce and services, is a 45-minute drive. Nîmes, with direct, high-speed TGV train to Paris and CDG Airport, is an hour and a quarter away. Uzès, Anduze, Florac and Mende are all reachable within an hour. The Mediterranean coast, and the cities of Montpellier and Avignon (and their TGV stations and airports), are within a two-hour drive.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
All lodgings have fiber optic internet wifi connections.
Space for parking camper vans
Part of the property is a former campground, so for those wishing to use it, there are designated spots for camping cars and tents. There are electricity hook-ups, showers, toilets and a swimming pool.
Can possibly accept pets
Friendly pets who get along with male dogs are welcome. We have a six-year-old Hungarian Vizsla and a three-year-old Weimaraner, both males.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Sylver (4 years)
Silver Weimaraner
Owen (7 years)
Short-haired Viszla.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (20)
But this place can change even a stubborn Dane. I felt enormously privileged to experience the… read more
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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:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
But this place can change even a stubborn Dane. I felt enormously privileged to experience the… read more
Greg is kind and generous man with good sense of humour and interesting… read more
My time spent with Greg at his place was amazing! I originally went for two weeks and ended up staying almost a month! I would have stayed longer, but I was on a journey to Greece, so after 4 weeks I felt like it was time to continue. The location is incredible, in the south part of the… read more
Greg and Jani were sublime hosts. They effortlessly struck the balance of providing opportunities to do things all together (e.g working out in the gym,… read more
it's been a super experience for me
Also I met wonderful people:Yany ( friend of Greg and Josef another workawayer )
Yany, so kindly and very helpful
The work was rewarding and every day we felt we accomplished something.
The place is beautiful, with a vast space of nature
The accommodation has been… read more
The place is absolutely nice, the experience in the forest is relaxed and really beautiful in autumn. Also the weather is great, surprised that here is not really cold. Is the perfect option if you loves nature and you are looking to have a good time learning and practicing DIY skills. There are a lots of things to do , so for… read more
I've enjoyed the work, and discovered new skills… read more
lots of honest work to do... beautiful landscape... generous host... whats not to like, aye?
I've jumped in this Adventure with no clue what to axpect.
Once we arrived in this beatiful Place you could feel immediately the beatiful Energy around, Greg the host he's the main attraction of all the house, he's energetic entusiastic and with a Great Great… read more
