Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Jun 2025
Reply rate
80.0 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
12
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Details
Description
Welcome to rural northern France!
Hello! I’m Caroline. I’m originally from the UK and have three adult children who live in the Netherlands. In 2023, I moved from the vibrant city of Rotterdam to a tiny village in the Thiérache area of Picardy, northern France—swapping urban life for peace, nature, and community.
I now live in a beautiful, underpopulated area of rolling countryside, with arable fields, dairy cows, and charming little villages. My own village has an old fortified church, a grand château, and not much else—just what I was looking for! The air is fresh and unpolluted, the night skies are stunningly dark, and the silence is something quite special. During the day, it's peaceful apart from birdsong and the occasional tractor.
This is a perfect place for people who enjoy rural life, walking, cycling, and immersing themselves in French culture and language. It’s quiet, calm, and wonderfully authentic.
I’m passionate about permaculture and regenerative agriculture. In Rotterdam, I ran a multicultural community garden based on permaculture principles, and I’m now creating a new life here with those same values. There's always something to do—from gardening and small DIY projects to cooking, preserving, and enjoying the land.
I love cooking (mostly whole food plant-based, with some eggs, cheese, and fish), and I try to use organic ingredients as much as possible. I speak English, Dutch, and a bit of rusty French—which I’m slowly improving!
The nearest supermarket and bakery is 6 km away.
I live with my cat and I’m always happy to share good food, conversation, and a simple, nature-connected lifestyle.
If you're interested in countryside living, eco-friendly values, and peaceful surroundings, I’d love to hear from you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Culture
Self development
Sustainability
Plant care
History
Books
Art & design
Cooking & food
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This is a multicultural home! I have a foot in 3 countries. I am British by birth and go over to the UK regularly. I have lived in The Netherlands for more than 40 years and have now chosen to make northern France my home. My partner is an American who has travelled the world. For someone who wants to practise their English, or someone who wants Dutch speakers around this would be a good option. Most people in the area speak only French, so if you're out and about you'll get total French immersion! If you are a French speaker I would love an opportunity to practise my French. In my professional life I've worked in multinational environments and am interested in all that our beautiful planet has to offer.
Help
Help at the moment would primarily involve helping in the garden or in the home. Having a car would be an asset, though not essential, for you to be able to get around.
The house and garden aren't huge but there is always lots to be done in both.
In the garden:
I have 3 raised vegetable beds that always need some tender loving care. I have been re-designing the garden along permaculture principles/make it more eco-friendly, and would definitely enjoy input or ideas from someone else. Maybe someone would be interested in helping with inoculating logs for growing shiitake mushroms.
In the house:
There are always little projects to be done around the house. I love cooking, but it would be fun for someone who enjoys cooking to introduce me to new recipes/cooking skills.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I would love to be able to practise French with a French speaker. I would also really enjoy helping someone improve and become more confident in their English or Dutch.
Accommodation
I have one double bedroom available for Workaway guests. This would be ideal for a single person or a couple. At this stage there is only one shared bathroom in the house and a separate toilet. The bedroom is upstairs and the bathroom and toilet are downstairs. I will be doing the cooking unless we agree differently. I will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am able to cater for dietary requirements as agreed beforehand, providing it's not too complex. I'm afraid that there won't be enough room in the fridge/freezer for your own ingredients. You will be able to make your own coffee and tea during the day.
What else ...
During your time off there is plenty to explore in the area. Lovely places to walk or cycle. Pretty villages. The cities of Laon and Reims are beautiful and within an hour's drive. Epernay, the centre of the champagne growing area is an hour and a half away. Paris is about 2 hrs 40 minutes by car and under 3 hours by train.
There is plenty of space to be able to sit out in the garden and eat outside when the weather is good. It is important that we respect each other's space. Also that we all have respect for the locals. Hal and I sleep downstairs. He goes to bed quite early so important that we're respectful of that while moving around the house in the evening. We have one big living room and also a table in the kitchen. We have reliable wifi, but internet reception in the village and surroundings is poor. We have plenty of English language books, lots of permaculture and gardening books. There's enough space to put down a yoga mat, make music, lie in a hammock outside or whatever. Hal would love to play chess and we'll both enjoy interacting with you.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I've had digital nomads staying here and the wifi has always been sufficient throughout the house.
Space for parking camper vans
A medium sized camper could be parked in the drive.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Feedback (6)
She is easygoing, thoughtful, and fascinating to talk to. From the start, Iris slipped effortlessly into my daily rhythm and way of life, showing genuine… read more
She is such a beautiful and lovely person, and I was incredibly lucky to stay at her place for a month.
She taught me so many things—how to plant, how to cook amazing vegetarian food, European culture, and so much more.
Above all, I… read more
Photos
Feedback
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
She is easygoing, thoughtful, and fascinating to talk to. From the start, Iris slipped effortlessly into my daily rhythm and way of life, showing genuine… read more
She is such a beautiful and lovely person, and I was incredibly lucky to stay at her place for a month.
She taught me so many things—how to plant, how to cook amazing vegetarian food, European culture, and so much more.
Above all, I… read more
I was very impressed by his maturity and… read more
