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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Oct 2024
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Description
We would like to keep traveling from our new home!
After three years of cycling and volunteering from Strasbourg to New zealand, it's our turn to host travelers!
We want to stay in contact with this feeling of "being on the road", to sharpen our gaze, to find out what's new in our daily routine.
We love meeting new people, from the neighbours next door to the one coming from a far and unknown place.
Settling in a house is our new adventure and we'd love to share it. We wanted a big house that would be open to other people. We love the idea that others can enjoy the place in accordance with their own intent or project and that we can all contribute to make this house a lively place.
We are a family of four (two boys of 7 and 12 years old). We live in a farm type house in the Vosges. At 700 meters high, the place is surrounded by 5 hectares of forest, meadow and spring.
We have great interests in volunteer simplicity, permaculture, less waste, autonomy, less impact way of life... We're collecting informations, experimenting, trying our best, at our own rythm. We also have interest in mindfulness/meditation. We'd like to grow more of our food and be a bit more self-sufficient (but we are still far from that...). And at the same time, our children are "home-schooled" and we also work outside. That's why we need help in the house.
My husband works for a eco-organisation. I am a mediator (Conflict Resolution with NonViolent Communication process).Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsTeachingGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpBabysitting and creative playCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are not a farm nor have we big projects going on, we're just a family who tends to live a more simple life, close the nature. The kids and us love receiving visitors and just sharing our daily life, talks, walks, or other activities.
We'll be glad to share with you our passion for nature, wild plants, vegetable garden, vegetarian food, less waste, education, communication, meditation and so on. We are not very experienced gardeners, but we love to grow food and we do a lot of things by ourselves. We're also happy to help you practice your French if it's one of the reason of your stay.
Please note that the house is quite isolated. So I reckon it's better if you love walks, and being in the nature. We can drive you the village, or to Saint-Dié-des-Vosges once a week as we are going there for activities. We can also lend you a bicycle.
Walks and cross country skiing paths start from our house. Few weeks a year there is plenty of snow just around the house. We are 20 minutes away from the Lac Blanc ski resort. There are bigger ski resort 30 to 40 minutes away (La Bresse, Gerardmer...). It's not as big as the Alpes but you can still have fun there. Those stations are open in January and February for sure, sometimes December and March, but that's not guaranteed. In the summer we like climbing, walking, cycling and swimming at the Longemer Lake (20 minutes driving). We're 20 minutes away from the Alsacian WineRoad (Route des Vins) and the beautiful medieval village of Kaysersberg. We are also 10 minutes away from the Route of the Ridges of the Vosges mountains (Route des Crêtes).Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
ON PROGRESS IN OUR HOUSE AT THE MOMENT: We're looking for help in and outside the house for our daily life as a family. This means at the moment : finishing a Kerterre (Eco hemp-house) and a room in the house, build dry stone walls in the garden, diverse wood works (solar oven, composting toilets, bookcases..) and sometimes help in the garden (planting, weeding, landscaping, cutting and piling wood...).
We are renting a guesthouse next to our house, but we never ask Workawayers to help with this business activity. We only ask help for the house as a family.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Bosnian: Beginner
German: 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
You will have your own separate bedroom
What else ...
We love cooking. We enjoy healthy but simple food (lots of vegetables, cereals, as much as possible local and organic.. I don't eat meat, but the boys do from time to time.
There is Internet access with cable (no wifi)
Children and families are welcome.
You are welcome to join us in our weekly activities.
The house is in upper Fraize. The nearest train station is 20-25 minutes away in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.
We prefer to host for a minimum of 2 weeks. Or more if you're happy with us.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have no wifi, Internet is with wire.
Space for parking camper vans
Campervan can be parked on our land. But not when it snows or rains a lot.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week, and some help for doing dishes and cleaning after lunch and diner time everyday
Feedback (46)
Their presence was such a source of support, serenity, and joy for us. They helped us with a variety of different activities, some of which they already excelled at (building a wooden fence, sanding, assisting with a cabin, various physical tasks, engaging in activities with the… read more
Since it was my first experience i was feeling quite nervous about it all during the first few days, but luckily that quickly went away!
Estelle, Christoph and the boys are all very welcoming and kind. They made me feel at home and like i could really be myself.
There were… read more
Ils ont une très grande expérience dans plein de domaine (rénovation, enduits, peinture, plomberie, plantations, animaux, location...), et ont été d'une aide… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Their presence was such a source of support, serenity, and joy for us. They helped us with a variety of different activities, some of which they already excelled at (building a wooden fence, sanding, assisting with a cabin, various physical tasks, engaging in activities with the… read more
Since it was my first experience i was feeling quite nervous about it all during the first few days, but luckily that quickly went away!
Estelle, Christoph and the boys are all very welcoming and kind. They made me feel at home and like i could really be myself.
There were… read more
Ils ont une très grande expérience dans plein de domaine (rénovation, enduits, peinture, plomberie, plantations, animaux, location...), et ont été d'une aide… read more
Ca nous a fait vraiment chaud au coeur qu’elle nous rende même visite une deuxième fois. On a beaucoup apprécié les échanges très riches, sa présence à la… read more
J'y étais en juin pour continuer la construction de la Kerterre avec Christophe. Et cela m'a révélé une passion pour l'éco-construction! C'était vraiment une grande joie de travailler sur ce projet avec Christophe et les autres work-away/voisins qui étaient venus aider.
Quant à leur vie de… read more
I… read more
Et aussi tellement heureux d’avoir rencontré… read more
Je reste enchantée par le lieu et les missions.
Mercissss à tous les 4 individuellement et à une prochaine fois !
He was really… read more
There were others workawayers and we really enjoyed spend time together, it was a little community very well connected eachother.
They are very friendly and open-minded.
We worked in a building project all together to be more connected into the nature.
The surrounding area… read more
Everything about the area and the stay was wonderful. The work was engaging and involved teamwork. The other workawayers I was with have… read more
She's been going along very well with the kids, and taught them some German. We also appreciate a lot she was playing games and reading a lot of… read more
I was so impressed, as she is quite young, of her initiative and enthusiasm. She would think ahead a lot of things
without that I have to ask her.
She has been very patient, careful and sweet with the kids. And we all really… read more
The boys are simply the best!… read more
Thank you very much :)
We arrived, or I may said, they arrived to us in the perfect moment of our trip.
Shearing the every day life with them was a beautiful experience. They teach to us so many things... We cook together, we work, we play, we sing, we do meditation we eat wonderful meals and… read more
It was inspiring to learn about gardening and a self-substained and environmentally friendly way of life. Simon and Rafael are adorable and I really enjoyed playing with them. The house, the garden and the surroundings are beautiful and it was nice to… read more
It was such a joy to have Clara home. She was such a ray of sunshine in our life during 3 weeks.
I was so touched how happy she seemed to spend time with the kids, having great fun with them and
following them in all types of games and adventures. She's been really a sister and true friend to them.… read more
To begin with, you have helped me feel more comfortable with my level of French thanks to your kindness and patience, as well as by repeating things a couple times hehe.
The place is amazing, big, cosy, organised and… read more
Difficult to explain with words the great connection all our family had with her. We had a lot of fun and laughts! It was so great sharing time together and she really is a true friend to us.
We had the feeling she just fitted perfectly in our… read more
J’ai passé deux semaines avec cette famille extraordinaire et mes mots ne pourraient jamais rendre justice aux beaux moments passés avec Estelle, Cristophe, Simon et Raphael. Leur maison est un centre d’amour, de bienveillance, de découverte et d’énergie positive. Pendant mon séjour chez eux j’étais… read more
They are experienced and easy going hosts, who made me feel part of their family and in the same time provided me with a lot of autonomy and privacy.
They offered various tasks and - besides helping in the household - I could also try myself in new fields and do some DIY -… read more
There was a lot of work to do,… read more
I stayed with Estelle, Christophe and the kids just for 10 days, and since day 1 they were very welcoming and I felt very confortable there!
The kids are amaizinhg, Raphael is the cutiest baby and Simon is so especial, lovely and a big ,big hugger! (Many ''calans''?)
I stayed mostly with the kids, helped with setting the table or… read more
The communication wasn't always easy but we really appreciate her company and would welcome her again with pleasure!
I couldn't speak English and French, so I bothered a lot.
Nevertheless, I’m very thankful for accepting me.
It was a valuable opportunity to learn about cultural differences with Japan and how the family should be.
I’m really thankful to them.
Audrius has done a fantastic work in the house, every task was achieved with great care, efficiency, initiative and creativity. It was such a great help… read more
He had some days of great disposition for hard work: carrying heavy loads and digging until nightfall.
Thanks to him, our little spring in front of the house is not spreading in the meadows anymore.
It was very interesting to exchange point of… read more
Such a nice experience living with people so kind, full of understanding And love
Thank you again
We learned about child rising , felt like at home, And had a lot of fun renovating the house ;)
Even we haven't check it, we are sure Raphaël And Simon are taller now ;)
This is… read more
I was very impressed of how organized they were, taking enough time for both working and spending time with their kids.
On top of… read more
We spent a month here and must say their profile was very accurate and listed almost every job we did for them.
They were fair about work and more than willing to bring us to nearby towns etc and encourage us to see the area.
Their house was the perfect location for us, surrounded by forest and… read more
Can't wait to come back :)
Estelle and Christophe were very thoughtful, Simon is a friendly boy and Raffael is lovely!!
They share family's events with us and it made us happy, they made we feel like in our home.
We could chose what we like help in, trying between different tasks.
Our son was so happy there that he didn't want… read more