Gagnieres

GAGNIERES - CEVENNES - info HELPX
 

OUR PROJECT is the rehabilitation of a old stone farmhouse in the forest: As a family we started to change our life style to a more responsible one ( re-use of materials, less waste, vegetarian food, bying resposable and local, vegetable garden, grey water saving system/phyto). Centrally heated by Wood-burner.  We are learning continuously and like to share experiences.

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We live in the South of France between Provence and Ardèche area at the border of the "Cevennes" national park. A beautiful natural environment, preserved biosphere. The village of Gagnieres, is named after the river which runs through the village and lies on the border of the Cevennes and Ardeche mountains. -    Public transportation available (you'll find a bus stop at a 10 minutes walk from our house). Nearest train station 45 minutes. Mountain bikes are available to explore the surroundings. Swim spots at the river not far from the house. A nice way to explore the surroundings is a long  bike trail ('voie verte') on the old railroadtracks going through the mountains by tunnels and bridges. 

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-    We provide sleeping accommodation is in a camper-van or a confortable canvas tent (20m2) There is space for camping on the land. The sanitary building outside has a dry toilet, the grey water and water from the roofs are collected and  filtered in water bassins with plants (phyto). There is a natural pool (phyto filtered).

There are chickens, cats and a friendly dog and sheep. Regurlarly our daughters or son are coming over (age between 17 and 30) to stay.  There is creativity and a lively family atmosphere, we are a re composed family with a mixed culture (Dutch, French) and we all speak English. 

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-    Main meals are shared with the family, or you can make your own.  Our vegetarian meals are prepared with products from the local markets and / or our own garden. 

-    In our vegetable garden behind the house we have a poly tunnel and we plant every year new fruit trees. The water supply for the garden comes mainly from our roofs and an a well, grey water is phyto filtered and re used in the garden. Water is stored in the former winecellar, a 30000 ltr sisterne, and a huge plant filtered water bassin with his own biotope (fish, frogs, dragonflies ao) and in the season you can have a swim there :-)

 

At our place you can gain skills in organic gardening, construction/ re use of materials, approving your French, participate in coocking vegetarian meals. Or and working with reclaimed fabrics in Inges ateler/workshop.  Inge has her boutique/workshop in the nearby village called 'Les Vans', where she designs and creates sustainable clothing and home decor, partly created with reclaimed fabrics and with the help of local seamstresses. More info on this small family business for the clothing you find on Inges website:  www.ingedejonge.com . (Our daughters do the modeling for the clothing and one of them creates beautiful jewelry out of reused materials...)

 

Around the house at the moment we are working on: fencing for the sheep, preparing the vegetable garden, wood cutting in the forest , repairing/painting old shutters and doors, etc

- If you have skills or want to develop skills in gardening, carpentry or small maconry, eco construction, and/or like to help/learn about sustainable clothing,  you could help to move the project on. However all sort of help is usefull :-) 

We ask 5 hrs/day,5 days per week helping for board + 3 meals a day 

 

You will get a warm welcome in Cevennes / Ardeche area in the South of France.

 

A bientôt 

 

Jan & Inge