We are excited to invite international visitors to volunteer in a French Chateau this spring, helping us maintain our beautiful 18th-century family-owned property near Paris. Château de Sacy, which has been in our family for over two centuries, is the perfect setting for creative retreats and artist residencies. As we prepare the house and gardens for the upcoming season, you’ll have the opportunity to be part of this wonderful project while enjoying the tranquil surroundings and having your own private room within the château.
Volunteer in a French Chateau: Tasks & Roles
Your primary tasks will include painting, gardening, and general maintenance work. For four hours a day, six days a week, you’ll be involved in various activities, such as painting the walls inside the house and the fences around the garden. In the garden, we’ll focus on tasks like pruning, weeding, and trimming, all done according to permaculture principles. Additionally, household chores like window cleaning and general upkeep will be part of your daily routine. We will be a small group of six, working together and sharing meals while enjoying each other’s company and fostering a sense of community.
Volunteer in a French Chateau: Living & Getting There
Accommodation is provided within the château itself, in one of its uniquely charming bedrooms. You will share meals with the group, and we will take turns preparing meals for each other. The château is located 65 km north of Paris and is easily accessible by train from Gare du Nord to Pont-Sainte-Maxence, where we will meet you. Alternatively, you can fly into either Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Beauvais (BVA) airports. From CDG, a train to Paris can be taken, while an Uber ride from BVA will bring you to the château. In your free time, you can explore the village, cycle to the farm for fresh produce, or simply relax at the château.
Volunteer in a French Chateau: What Else
In addition to your work on the house and gardens, you will have the chance to embrace the lifestyle of green living. You can help prepare meals for our summer retreats, improve your French or English, or even learn French cookery. There are also plenty of activities during your time off, including cycling to a nearby lake for swimming, exploring the Châteaux at Chantilly, Pierrefonds, and Compiègne, or visiting World War I and ancient Roman sites. If you prefer to stay at the château, you can enjoy French billiards, play the piano, or have fun with a game of table tennis. Every day at Château de Sacy offers something new and exciting to experience.
More HippoHelp Opportunities
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- Help on a Glamping Site (Denmark)
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- Volunteer in a Historic Country House (Ireland)
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