More information on helping with the
project at La Giraudiere
The notice board is where I have placed your questions and the answers. If you have asked a question then you will find it here plus my answer. If you have a question then please email it to me and your question plus the answer will also be posted here.
TO CONFIRM THE COST
For the 2010 program
The cost per week is 150 euros per week
EXAMPLE If you wanted to stay for 3 weeks the cost would be 450 euros plus 10½ days work or 72 hours. Using the same 3 week stay you would get 12 days to do as you please 3 weeks full bed and board plus your transfers and you will be learning and improving your French and learning how to live and work in France.
IN RETURN THIS IS WHAT YOU GET
Transfers to and from Chalais Station or Angouleme Airport. Accommodation, Three meals a day for all the days you are La Giraudiere not just the days you would be working. Training and Advice is included. French lesson one morning each week, 3 days to do as you please go swimming explore Bordeaux visit Lourdes what ever you have in Mind or just chill out at La Giraudiere.
READ MORE ABOUT WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE WORKING HOLIDAY
WHEN DO I PAY ?
Places are limited and the demand is very good so, need to make sure you are serious about coming to help
Prior to asking for the reservation deposit some applicants booked a place and then did not turn up. Apart from the wasted trip to meet them we also lost a place in the group. This is why we ask for a reservation deposit. This way we know you are serious and will be arriving and our journey to either Chalais or Angouleme will not be waisted and neither will a place in the group.
HOW DO I PAY?
Your initial payment will be via the secure Internet payment system provided by PAYPAL ~ La Giraudiere is a verified PayPal Account again I will send you the Internet address where you can make your 1st weeks payment if your application is successful. The balance of your stay is paid once you are at La Giraudiere you will be expected to pay for the duration of your stay during your first week.
HOW
LONG CAN I STAY AT LA GIRAUDIERE?It is entirely up to you as far as I am concerned as long as you pay your weekly payment and give La Giraudiere 24 hours of your time each week you can apply and stay for the duration providing we have accommodation. The minimum stay is 3 weeks. The 2010 project starts in April and again finishes in October 2010.
CHECK THE PROGRAM ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DATES
DO I NEED A TRAVEL PERMIT?
This you would have to check with your local embassy or consulate. But as you are actually paying to go abroad and you are paying for your accommodation and your food then it would easily be considered as a cheap holiday ~ remember you are not being paid. If you need a receipt or confirmation
of your accommodation booking then this can be provided.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK IS THERE TO DO
This will all depend on the time of your visit and what was going on at that time. For example you may be helping to repair and paint shutters or window, Clearing wood land so to create picnic or play areas, Gardening, restoration work, insulation, Articles about the area about the project, Blogs about your stay which help others to find out about this opportunity. Then there is videos images photos Plus we need some one to do the cooking and the cleaning and other household chores such as shopping etc.
READ MORE ABOUT THE 2010
WORKING HOLIDAY OBJECTIVES
DO NOT PANIC TRAINING, HELP & ADVICE IS INCLUDED.
Then
there is the marketing
of the project we are
not going to wait
until the whole project is
finished before
the marketing starts so we
can use people who could help
with the marketing improving the website and web pages,
finding the attractions and presenting them in order to
attract
visitors to La Giraudiere.The goal for La Giraudiere is a place of learning for School Trips and of course this program. Lots of work has been done by the 2008 and 2009 group but
Maybe you have some good ideas which we could start marketing just to see which gets the most response. - Come along, get involved and try out your ideas.
CAN I CHOOSE THE TYPE OF WORK ?
Of course you can. There are so many different jobs that need doing there will be plenty to go around household, marketing, building are just a few and at the end of the day we want you to come back year after year either on a this program or maybe or helping out with the school trips.
CAN I BRING MY LAP TOP?
Yes please do and I hope to have WiFi in place by this summer.
MOBILE PHONES
Yes please bring them and keep in touch with home but please leave them in your bedroom during the working day as there is nothing more annoying than having lunch with a group who are all on the telephone.
WILL
I BE WORKING IN GROUPS OR INDIVIDUAL?Depending on what work you are actually doing will decide if you are in a group or working alone. What I am trying to put in place is a holiday program that is open to all nationals, all ages and people from different backgrounds who can work and live together as a team. I want to bring La Giraudiere to life and with your help and input I am sure it will happen.
I PAID 850 US DOLLARS PER WEEK TO STUDY ABROAD LAST YEAR HOW CAN IT ONLY BE 150 EUROS AT LA GIRAUDIERE ?
Yes it exists people are paying up to 1000 us dollars a week to go abroad and study French or about France and they spend 5 days a week in some high rise air conditioned class room in a major French city. But with our project you are contributing towards the success of La Giraudiere and hence the price. Yes maybe one day that will exist at La Giraudiere but now you can learn how to live and work in France for 150 euros a week and pick up some useful skills on the way.
WHERE IS LA GIRAUDIERE AND WHAT IS THE SURROUNDING AREA LIKE?
You would be staying in one of the most beautiful regions of France. Charente is famous for it's number of sunshine hours and it's clear unpolluted air. The countryside is rolling hills full of Grapevines and sun flowers and scattered stone built villages. I could spend hours just telling you what there is to see but really I am looking for people that want to come and find out and tell me and the rest of the group what there is to see.
Where
is La Giraudiere?La Giraudiere is 1 km from the center of Brossac Village. Brossac is in the south Charente and lies 8km from Chalais market town and 18 km of Barbezieux Market town. To see and use a google interactive map of the location for La Giraudiere visit BROSSAC LOCATION MAP you will find a google map with the exact location of La Giraudiere by working away from the location you will see exactly the location in respect of the towns and cities of south west France.
DOES MY WEEKLY PAYMENT INCLUDE THE COST FOR MY TRANSFER TO AND FROM
Chalais Yes or Angouleme Airport
READ MORE ABOUT WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE WORKING HOLIDAY PROJECT
ARRIVAL
POINTS AND TRANSFERSThe two main arrival points would be Angouleme Airport or Chalais. I or some one would meet you at your arrival point. Your travel expenses to the arrival point are down to you all I ask is confirmation of your travel reservation ticket in order I know you are coming. Also payment of your first weeks 150 euros. Please note that Angouleme airport will be open in the spring and Ryan air will be providing flights plus I have heard the a subsidiary of British Airways will be flying from Gatwick although no dates have been confirmed.
I HAVE A FLIGHT TO LA ROCHELLE FOR 15 EUROS IF I MAKE MY WAY TO CHALAIS OR ANGOULEME WILL YOU MEET ME?
Yes of course but I understand the flights to La Rochelle arrive quite late so you may need to stay over night somewhere I can suggest Formula 1 booked advance can be as little as 25 euros. This also applies for Bergerac Airport which by the way is about 10 km from the town of Bergerac.
I AM ARRIVING AT BORDEAUX AIRPORT HOW DO I GET TO CHALAIS STATION?
From Bordeaux airport their is a bus shuttle services that departs every 45 mins and takes you to the station at Bordeaux where you will have to take the Train to Chalais. The line is known as the Bordeaux to Angouleme line and there are 3 trains a day.
CAN I TRAVEL BY CAR?
Yes of course or bike- Let me know how you are traveling and when you expect to arrive. Make sure you take our telephone number with you and purchase a French Telecom Card that way if you are delayed or have a problem you can contact us.
TRAVEL INSURANCE - DO IT
Do not forget to get your travel insurance in place. Health care and treatment can be very expensive in France it is your responsibility to have full cover for accidents and illness.
E111 - BRING IT AND TOP IT UP
If you are European citizen remember to bring the E111 !!! which since my time in England as changed to a blue credit card ID or so I have been told. Can anyone inform me?
Also remember that your E111 may not pay for all your treatment or medication so make sure you have a top up insurance.
THE
MEALS AND A TYPICAL DAYWake up time is normally about 7.30 and breakfast is a typical continental breakfast. Work start about 8.30 and we go through to lunch which is about 12.30 - 1.30 the working day finishes at 5.30. Evening meal is about 7.30 and meals will depend on who is preparing and cooking, you may want to take a turn. I normally contribute with a barbecue once a week.
CAN I DRINK THE WATER?
I have been drinking the tap water for the last 7 years and so far no problems,
DIETETIC OR VEGETARIAN?
Please let us know prior to your arrival
ARE DRINKS INCLUDED ?
Fruit Juices are served with breakfast and Lunch. Red wine is normally served with the evening meal and there are normally beers in the fridge for after work all included but please with moderation
CAN WE APPLY AS A COUPLE ?
Providing you both contribute the answer is yes
CAN I APPLY WITH MY CHILD OR CHILDREN?
Providing your child is 18 or over and is willing to participate same as the group and of course as applied using the application form then no reason why not
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Sorry No because we have a resident dog called "SIDNEY" Labrador
CAN WE APPLY AS A GROUP?
Providing we have the space. Presently we have 8 bedrooms some singles some doubles and some trebles. As the program starts more accommodation will become available so the answer is it all depend when you apply and the dates you apply for.
IS THERE A REDUCTION FOR THOSE SHARING A ROOM ?
Yes if you apply as a couple or two friends or for that matter you are willing to share a room then the price per person is 125 euros per week a saving of 25 euros each.
THE WEATHER
The summer can be very hot up to 40+ c and the region of south west France is also known for it's storms so prepare for both. In really hot periods you may want to start earlier and finish earlier depending on and where the work is. Again flexibility is the order of the day. Winters can be very cold -10c recorded this year.
ONCE WE WERE AT LA GIRAUDIERE HOW DO WE GET ABOUT?
I have eight bikes or cycles which can be used ideal for getting to the village Brossac which has a bus service or the nearby swimming lake they are here for your use. If you need a lift into the nearest town Chalais 8km which has a station and bus service this can always be arranged with me or one of the locals no problem. The bikes may need repairing once again.
What Language is used at La Giraudiere?
I am English but have lived in France for almost 8 years so my French is getting there. From time to time local French artisans work on the project and there are many French friends and locals who past each day so a mixture of French and English is used also consider that there may be members of the team from other parts of the world and we may have to learn other languages or at least try and get by - it all adds to the fun.
WHERE IS THE NEAREST BEACH?
Brossac Lake as a superb sandy beach and it's lake is ideal and safe for swimming and is 1km from La Giraudiere as for the magnificent coastline of south west France then that is an hours drive from La Giraudiere and if you if you research an interesting excursion for the website which includes the coastline then I will take the group there.
IS THERE A TOURIST OFFICE NEARBY?
Yes there is a tourist office annexed to the local Brossac town hall "Mairie" and another larger office 8km away at Chalais
DO YOU HAVE PAYING GUEST STAYING THERE NOW?
Yes ~ Some of the accommodation is finished and we have had holiday makers, travelers, schools and football teams all make us of the finished accommodation.
COOK & HOUSEKEEPER REQUIRED
The whole group as to be fed as no army can march on an empty stomach so the most important job is our cook.
The second is our housekeeper. Interested read more about this chance
WHAT PART OF LA GIRAUDIERE IS FINISHED AND WHAT DOES THE ACCOMMODATION LOOK LIKE?
Read what other have said about the trial period of 2008 work abroad program
Read Michelle's blog about her apprehensions prior to her stay at La Giraudiere
Read what Anne and Dave from Scotland thought of their working holiday
Did La Giraudiere help Simon from Newport prior to going to Oxford to study French
Look at Michelle's video of La Giraudiere May 2008 work group
I ONLY WANT TO COME FOR A WEEK IS IT POSSIBLE?
Simply would not work, You need a week to get into the routine and it simply is not enough time to learn something or contribute towards the project.
I INTEND TO TOUR FRANCE AND WONDERED IF I COULD DO JUST TWO WEEKS IN JULY?
Another alternative is to book two periods say for instance you want to tour France and use our project as your base or place of arrival. For instance you could Stay at La Giraudiere the 1st two weeks of July then do your 4 week tour of France and then return to La Giraudiere for the last 3 weeks of August this is just an example the dates could be whatever providing it fits in with what places we have at La Giraudiere
I HAVE BOOKED TO ARRIVE ON Saturday BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BORDEAUX BEFORE I
ARRIVE AT LA GIRAUDIERE IS IT OK FOR ME TO ARRIVE AT CHALAIS ON MONDAY
TWO DAYS LATER THAN I SAID?
Of course that is the whole idea flexibility and of course see Bordeaux before you arrive at LG you have traveled half the world to get here so make the most of your trip your room will be ready Monday.
Like wise if you are traveling into Paris plan your visit so you can pass a few days in Paris
before arriving at LG
CONCLUSION FOR THE MOMENT
I say for the moment because I will be updating this page constantly as I receive your questions about the project. If you have further questions send me them at
program@lagiraudiere.com and I will reply as soon as possible and also place your question and my answer here for all to see. Thank for the feed back and the interest it is great getting your input and questions.
Regards Paul and the team at La Giraudiere
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