The way i Freelanced for the good French Chateau Prior to COVID

• Stefan Palios

My personal freelance team has been secluded since i have dependent they in the 2017. I have work on my providers out of several metropolises – my personal apartment, a bistro, plus in numerous different locations while on vacation historically. But in azing opportunity: to run my personal providers when you’re staying in an effective French chateau – at no cost.

I fell to your an entire community, courtesy of standard Uk suggests Refrain on the Chateau and you may Eliminate with the Chateau Diy. We been aware of its popular data such as Manhood Angel Strawbridge from Chateau de- los angeles Motte Husson, Stephanie Jarvis from Chateau de Lalande, and you can Michael Petherick away from Chateau de- los angeles Basmaignee.

My personal experience took me so you’re able to Chateau Gonneville (aka Le Fleur), that has been recently seemed about year off Escape towards Chateau Diy. This is how it just happened – and you will how it happened whenever lockdowns started midway as a consequence of my travel.

Stay away from on Chateau and Workaway

Given that a child, I found myself enthusiastic about castles. Looks like, you to wasn’t merely a youthfulness fantasy. I stumbled upon Refrain to your Chateau and you will Escape https://www.ppu.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/image/Army training (1).jpg” alt=”sitios de citas heterosexo”> to the Chateau Doing it yourself during the 2019, and it completely reignited my love of historic buildings. I remaining thought in order to me personally one to I would personally joyfully wade benefit free if i you will merely remain at these chateaux.

Far to my happy wonder, I came across a job interview where Angel told you they managed volunteers away from all around the world playing with a deck entitled Workaway. The fresh premise away from Workaway is easy: it’s a social exchange webpages where you are able to feel regional existence all over the world. You help you in different indicates given that a resident of any area perform, and in exchange you earn area and you can board. To have French chateaux, the day to-day life is cleaning dated attics, helping regarding the garden, or other maintenance performs this is not done-by specifically trained musicians and artists.

The difficult choice in daily life: choosing a castle to work from

• Doing work in English, however with bilingual (French) speaking servers.
• Good chateau middle-restoration. Thus perhaps not performing base / artisan work, but enabling which have clear-outs, heavy lifting, color, tapping, etc. (I am not a great handyman but i have specific expertise in a paint brush).
• Close sufficient to Paris which i you’ll travel in the and take a train truth be told there seemingly easily (frankly, maybe not totally remote. I live in Toronto, and so i required effortless public transportation after flying inside the).

Due to the fact an email, Workaway has actually a small pricing – as much as $fifty USD to possess per year out of membership. So it ensures particular vetting for the each party, examining such things as IDs regarding one another “Workawayers” and you will hosts.

During the later 2019, I would personally end up being the prime going back to me to check out France: warm sufficient to would work exterior yet not thus hot one it will become awkward. Upcoming after looking at virtually hundreds of chateaux on the Workaway and you may Instagram, We narrowed my lookup as a result of about three chateaux: Chateau de Bourneau, Chateau de Lalande, and you may Chateau Gonneville.

Chateau de- Bourneau: a dream when you look at the waiting

As i basic spotted Chateau de Bourneau toward Refrain towards Chateau Diy, We decrease in love. The fresh chateau is situated in the city from Bourneau, on Vendee area into the Southwestern France. It’s made to copy Chateau Azay ce Rideau, an old royal chateau shortly after utilized by brand new Kings and Queens away from France.

On reaching out to the fresh chatelaine, Erin, I unfortunately located they won’t deal with Workaways – preferring to keep all work ranging from Erin and her husband, JB.

Chateau de- Lalande: a mythic palace

Chateau de Lalande is actually a sixteenth millennium chateau which had been added toward usually to give it the latest U-shape it currently enjoys. To start with a fortified chateau merely outside the main French town of Limoges, it progressed become a pleasure palace for a well known French family unit members whoever claim to glory is having one to ancestor escort Marie Antoinette so you’re able to Paris whenever she found its way to France.