Experience the best of France while helping to renovate a French farmhouse in Pays-de-Belvès, France

Infos

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  Description

  Hi, I'm Jane and I live here with my two sons, Olly (16yrs) and Thomas (14yrs) and our adorable, but bonkers, Wheaten Terrier, Paddington.
  We are British, but have lived in Canada, the US and now France, since the boys were little. We are all fluent in French. We have a zest for life yet try not to take life too seriously.
  We would love for you to help us complete our restoration project while enjoying the laid-back French lifestyle and beautiful countryside of the Dordogne

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  I offer a friendly welcome, interesting conversations, relaxed atmosphere, great food, a comfortable place to stay,surrounded by a beautiful medieval village, endless trees, rolling counrtyside and farm animals.
  
  As a former high school languages teacher, I am happy to help you to learn French, English and Spanish. My sons are also bilingual and am sure will help you with all the slang and text talk that is beyond me! I will happily introduce you to French life and the lovely residents of our community which will help you feel more at home.
  
  The Dordogne is rich in history and there are no end of castles, gardens and prehistoric caves to visit within a short drive of Belvès. Our village, which is a five minute walk from our farm, is especially lively in the summer, hosting live music events, evening food markets with dancing, quintessential Saturday markets and the famous Fete Médiéval in August.
  
  Belvès has its own woollen mill and a small chateau with some impressive wall paintings dating from the 15th century , but more impressive still are the troglodyte cave dwelling situated under the market square. Our village also has numerous restaurants, bars and cafés, perfect for soaking up all that our beautiful corner of France has to offer.
  
  The local library hosts bilingual conversation classes on a Thursday lunchtime which is increasingly popular

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  Aide

  After dreaming for over twenty years of moving to the Dordogne, we finally purchased this lovely farm, with various outbuildings, two years ago with plans to renovate the haybarn into our family home. Perfectly situated on the edge of the hilltop village of Belvès, one of France's most beautiful villages, the farm is in need of internal and external work.
  
  So far, we have completed all the work ourselves, which has been incredibly rewarding. I helped re-roof the barn and lay chestnut floors in the master bedroom. I single-handedly exposed many beautiful stone walls and an original fireplace, plus have learned to point, plaster walls and lay concrete in the last few months.
  
  Unfortunately the renovations have slowed down dramatically since losing my husband at the end of last year and having to go back to work full-time. However, I am determined to finish this property as we had both wished.
  Work still needed is tiling and basic plumbing. A new kitchen needs to be installed, a bathroom needs finishing off, stonework needs pointing and beams need restoring. Also there is plenty of painting and plasterboarding work to do!
  
  We have 24 acres of pasture, walnut trees and a small orchard. The majority of acreage is lent to a local beef farmer, yet there is always mowing to be done. If you have landscaping skills, your input would be much appreciated around the pool and petanque areas.
  
  My sons and I are looking forward to hosting some great people, who will bring energy, enthusiasm, fun and stories of their own adventures into our home.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Espagnol: Intermédiaire
  Arabe: Débutant
  Italien: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  I am a qualified French, Spanish and Italian teacher.
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  Hébergement

  A bedroom with private bathroom is available in our house but there is plenty of space to pitch a tent or park up a caravan or camping car.
  
  All meals are provided for you, as long as you have no specific dietary requirements, but if you wished to cook for yourself then you would have the flexibility to do this too.

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  Autres infos...

  As our farm is in in a village, in order to make the most of visiting this area a car would be recommended. Belvès does have a train station, but no public buses service the area.
  
  Fibre is arriving in the village in May 2023, but our internet is already pretty good, considering our location!
  
  There are many wonderful places to visit close by, including medieval Sarlat; the caves and National Pre-History Museum at Les Eyzies (open year round); stunning Beynac Castle; La Roque Gageac; the Gallo-Roman museum 'Vesunna' in Perigueux; the magnificent, cathedral-like crystal Gouffre de Proumeyssac, plus many well preserved bastide towns (e.g. Monpazier, Beaumont du Perigord); and beautiful unspoilt villages on the Dordogne river, with seasonal canoeing, kayaking and swimming. plus an abundance of weekly, year-round local markets, vineyards and interesting sights.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  We have a flat parking area for campervans or caravans and ample space for pitching tents

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week