GAGNIERES - CEVENNES National National Park

A Sustainable Family Haven in the South of France

Nestled in a beautiful, old stone farmhouse on the edge of the Cevennes National Park, our family is on a continuous journey towards a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle. We are passionate about reusing materials, reducing waste, and living in harmony with our stunning natural environment between Cevennes mountains, Provence and Ardèche.

Our home is a lively, creative hub—a blended Dutch-French family where English is spoken by all. We heat with a central wood-burner, grow our own organic vegetables, and operate on a circular water system where greywater and rainwater are filtered through natural phyto-basins.

Your Stay with Us

We offer a unique stay in either a cozy camper-van or a room in the farmhouse. There is space for camping. The outdoor sanitary building features a dry toilet, and you're welcome to take a refreshing dip in our natural, plant-filtered swimming pool.

Shared vegan meals, prepared with produce from our garden and local markets, are a cornerstone of our community life. The river Gagnières, which gives our village its name, is just a short walk away. To explore the breathtaking scenery, we provide mountain bikes for you to discover the region, including the magnificent "Voie Verte"—a long bike trail on old railway tracks that winds through tunnels and over bridges.

Skills, Sharing, and Collaboration

We are always learning and love to share our experiences. You can gain hands-on skills in:

* Organic gardening & permaculture principles

* Eco-construction and creative reuse of materials

* Preparing delicious vegan meals

* Improving your French

* Sustainable fashion in Inge's workshop

Inge runs a boutique in the nearby village of Les Vans, designing sustainable clothing and home decor from reclaimed fabrics with the help of local seamstresses.

We are currently working on various projects like fencing for our sheep, garden preparation, and woodworking. If you have skills or a desire to learn in gardening, carpentry, eco-construction, or textiles, your help is invaluable.

Practical Details - HelpX

* **Accommodation:** Camper-van or room in the house.

* **Work Exchange:** 5 hours per day, 5 days a week.

* **Includes:** Accommodation and 3 vegan meals per day.

* **Location:** Gagnières, South of France. 10-minute walk to the bus; 45-minute drive to the nearest train station.

We would be happy to welcome you into our project and share the beauty of the Cevennes/Ardèche area.

Discover Inge's sustainable fashion:

www.ingedejonge.com