Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
1 Jul 2025
Reply rate
88.2 %
Usually responds within 8 days
Feedback
15
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Experience living in a Château which was built between the 17th and 19th centuries in exchange for projects in the garden, chicken coop, woodland areas, and indoors if the weather is poor. I am a dual national (French-American) living full time in France, and I welcome help with weeding, clearing out and updating projects. I prefer couples or two people together, one workaway room has a queen sized bed and the other has two single (twin) beds. The cuisine here is mostly traditional french, so not really adapted for vegetarians or vegans.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Dancing
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living in a historical site with all its outbuildings and their previous uses still visible is fascinating, and includes its own cemetery about 10 minutes walk. Walking trails from the front gate take a 7km or a 22km loop through the village of Vaux-sur-Vienne. The city of Chatellerault is about 6km away, and a bicycle is available but the road is a bit sketchy (there are bicycles on it all the time though, as this is the bicycle road for San Juan de Compostelle). I can take travelers into Chatellerault and pick them up, we can go to the marche on Sat mornings. I am fully fluent in English and French, and happy to encourage learning and practice in either. In the summer only, there is use of the pool.
Help
Basic gardening tasks (both vegetable gardening and general), clearing out outbuildings of old junk - some stuff is on the heavier side, mowing and weedwhacking, cleaning chicken coop, clearing out growth along fencing to evaluate and fix the fencing.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerThis 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
Inside the château, 2ème étage (3rd story) own bedroom and shared bathroom. All meals will be available at the Château, in the kitchen (am self-serve, evenings often more structured meal times, lunches will be as needed, self serve or sit down.)
What else ...
Local sights are the quais of the Vienne river, with the ancient port in use for hundreds of years still visible. The early 17th century stone arch bridge (Pont Henri IV); the 15th century John the Baptist Church and the 11th century Church of Saint-Jacques; the Hotel Sully from the 17th century; the Maison Descartes (where Rene Descartes lived). Also of interest are the Grand Atelier Museum of Art and Industry and the Auto-Moto-Velo Museum. The train station in Chatellerault (15 min from the house) has a TGV so day trips to Bordeaux, Poitiers, Tours or Paris are possible.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Feedback (8)
She cooked us delicious and fresh meals every day, provided us a comfortable room with a stunning view,… read more
She was always eager to help me improve my French and often checked in to… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
She cooked us delicious and fresh meals every day, provided us a comfortable room with a stunning view,… read more
She was always eager to help me improve my French and often checked in to… read more
Snowy and Smoky (two lovely cats) and Topaz (a really big friendly dog), who lives in the Château with her, loved to get attention. Futhermore there are some chickens outside.
The Château is as beautiful as the rest of the property.
We shared three meals a day together and enjoyed the nice desserts from time to… read more
