Help with a permaculture food forest in rural Corbières Maritimes, South of France

Infos

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  Description

  Born and brought up in the UK, I have lived most of my 66 years in France (with a 9 year period in NZ). In 2006 I converted an old winemaking barn into my home. This is my second eco construction (having previously built an eco-lodge in NZ). I'm passionate about the environment and our local flora and fauna. My activities include being a professional translator, and running several non-profit organisations to encourage community development. In November 2025 I planted a permaculture food forest watered as far as possible with harvested rainwater to provide shade and moisture for the soil and to help support biodiversity.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Architecture

  

  Art et design

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Jardinage

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Nature
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  The great thing about travelling and hosting is that we all learn from each other!
  I am happy to help travellers with anything they want to know about French or British culture and travelling through France. Having lived in the area for 20 years now, I can point travellers to all the great things to do in the area (Cathar castles, new Roman antiquities museum in Narbonne, Palace of the Kings of Mallorca in Perpignan, etc.).

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  Aide

  The property was converted from a barn in 2006 and is in good condition - but there is always something to do! I love hosting people from all over the world, so Workaway provides a wonderful opportunity to host people who can help me too! The things I need help with are all things that I would be doing myself anyway, but it so much more fun and motivating to do with others!
  I have recently removed my old vines and in late November 2025 I planted 20-25 fruit trees to create a permaculture food forest. In February 2025 I planted a long hedge to help the birds and other creatures. The idea behind planting is to use harvested rainwater to help restart the small water cycle as our area has been in a severe drought for the past 3 years. And I would love some help, particularly from anyone interested in permaculture and the biotic pump (small water cycle!).
  It is always interesting to learn from each other :-)
  Ideally I would like to host a couple (or two friends) to help with adding mulch to trees and installing a walkway around the orchard.
  Help hours/days can be flexible and time grouped together, if you prefer, to allow you whole days off to go exploring (e.g. whole day working then whole day off or two days working then two days off - rather than half days - I will do my best to work around your programme!).
  I enjoy meeting people of different nationalities and I look forward to hearing from you.
  I have had help of this kind before and can provide references.
  I would expect references from workawayers too!

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Espagnol: Intermédiaire

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  Hébergement

  This is an eco-friendly barn conversion constructed with mostly natural materials and has solar hot water and a heat pump with underfloor heating as well as a wood burner. Your accommodation will be in the comfortable ground floor guest bedrooms (1 double & 1 twin) and you will have your own bathroom. Meals and cooking are shared although I will provide all the ingredients, which are local/organic or both. There is a spacious lounge, a good selection of books and free wifi but I do NOT have a TV! However, we can always discuss how to put the world to rights over a glass of wine in the evenings - which is much better than TV anyway! I need my beauty sleep so would expect workawayers to be quiet after 10:30 - 11pm.

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  Autres infos...

  This is a very unspoilt area with fabulous walking and birdwatching.
  Our tiny village has no public transport, no shops or any commerce of any kind, so your own transport is a bonus...
  
  I'm afraid I will have limited time to take you sight seeing but I can tell you a lot about the surrounding area, where to go and what there is to see and do if you have your own transport. I can also take you to the station 20 minutes away at Leucate-La Franqui from where you can catch a train to Narbonne or Perpignan (or further afield). My house is located exactly half way between Narbonne and Perpignan and there is so much to explore including Cathar castles, cistercian abbeys, lots of lovely old villages and towns, walk on the beach, cycle along the canal.
  Great windsurfing and kitesurfing in Leucate!

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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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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Recently installed fibre :-) with a connection of approx. 900Mbps up and down. One of the bedrooms could be easily turned into a workspace.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  You can park your campervan / motorhome on my drive :-) - but you are welcome to stay in the house while you are here!

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Am happy to have a **well behaved** dog to stay!

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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