Open-minded travellers welcome to join us at our beautiful family home near Paris, France

Infos

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  Description

  Hello!
  My name is Murphy, and I live between Cornwall and France, where my mother runs an arts association, a beautiful 18th-century home that has been in our family for a couple of centuries. Until 2022, I was working as a confectioner (I make and sell natural marshmallows) and an occasional arts journalist, but then it my mother suggested I become involved with the chateau, and as my children have spread their wings, I was delighted.
  As funds are always needed for the house, gardens and association, I began running intimate creative retreats there. They have attracted people from all over the world and earned many 5star reviews. With the proceeds, I have converted a garage to a multi-purpose studio, installed a dressing up room in the attic and made some much needed improvements. We have also been able to continue welcoming artists, writers and musicians for funded summer residencies, during which they show and explain their work to the local community.
  The idea is to continue welcoming both French and international artists to the historic, romantic and quite bohemian chateau, as we have for over three decades, and to be able to make it an attractive, comfortable and stimulating place for them to be.
  It is a lovely part of France, surprisingly unknown despite it being so close to Paris. There is lots to visit with cycling distance: lakes, forests, rivers, villages, farms. And a bit further afield there are medieval chateaus, World war I and II relics, and lively river towns.
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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Films et télé

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Photographie

  

  Jardinage

  

  Écriture

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Musique

  

  Livres

  

  Art et design

  

  Randonnée

  

  Cyclisme

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Nature

  

  Danse

  

  Plage

  

  Camping
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We aim to make every visitor feel at home and learn about a French rural way of life, slower and simpler. Between eating all our meals together, and preparing some together too, you might cycle to the farm to collect fresh milk and eggs, or join me in making the jam (usually rhubarb from the garden), or learn to play French billiards (no pockets!). There are often creatives visiting and we encourage everyone to exchange ideas at mealtimes. We speak both French and English, love meeting new people and finding out about their cultures and lives.
  The gardens are a beautiful example of 'parc a l'anglaise', meaning picturesque, natural and informal, in contrast to the symmetry of many French gardens, and we have tended to them lovingly for over thirty years, teaching many volunteers about permaculture principles and always avoiding pesticides. We love using the fruit, vegetables, herbs and nuts we grow for our meals, and think you'll agree homegrown tastes best.
  There are a lot of activities available at the chateau: a piano, guitars, a billiard table, table tennis, a practice tightrope, trapeze, yoga mats and bikes for you to explore nearby villages and swimming lakes. We're happy to show you the best spots

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  Association caritative

  Cet hôte est une association caritative déclarée dans son pays et recherche des bénévoles pour l'aider dans ses projets.

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  Aide

  Our main reason for welcoming volunteers is that we want to make the chateau open and available to as wide a range of people as possible to enjoy. It is a beautiful, fascinating house, full of magic and glimpses of bygone eras, and was designed to accommodate many. We love nothing more than seeing it full of people, and answering questions and telling stories about its rich history and our family history too. It is a place for open-minded, curious people, who love nature, history and new, though old-fashioned, experiences.
  Every day is different, and we try to make them entertaining, whether it is outdoors: light help in the hectare of gardens, orchard, kitchen garden and small wood, or indoors: jam-making, helping with some light maintenance, improving your French or English, helping prepare meals and getting used to green living.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Espagnol: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  You'll have your own room in the chateau, and if we have a full house (which is rare), you'll stay in the 4m furnished bell tent in the orchard. There are two kitchens and so if someone is cooking in the main kitchen, you can always make a hot drink or have a snack in the communal kitchen. We will take turns to lay out breakfast and cook meals in the main kitchen and eat lunch and dinner together, outside in the warmer months.

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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

  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il aimait accueillir les digital nomads.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Cet hôte a de la place pour les vans.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

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