More
information on helping with theproject at
La Giraudiere
2012 Program Notice Board
The notice board is where we have placed your questions and our 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 2012 program
The cost per week rests at 182 euros per week plus you would be expected to contribute 21 hours each week as a volunteer (With an exception of the week when a day group excursion is arranged in which instance you would only contribute 18 hours).
3 WEEK EXAMPLE
A three week stay would be 3 X 182 euros = 546 euros. For each block of three weeks a deposit of 1 week (182 euros) is required to reserve your place leaving a balance of 364 euros payable upon arrival.
For a three week stay you would be expected to contribute an average of 23 hours per week
IN RETURN THIS IS
WHAT YOU GETTransfers to and from Chalais Station upon your arrival and departure plus during your stay.
Accommodation is included, Three meals a day for all the days you are La Giraudiere.
Training and Advice is included. French lessons, weekly excursion to Chalais Market, at least one group excursion during your stay, 3-4 days to do as you please go surfing, explore Bordeaux, visit Lourdes what ever you have in mind or just chill out at La Giraudiere. Plus there lots of fun things to do
READ MORE ABOUT WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE WORKING HOLIDAY
WHEN DO I PAY THE DEPOSIT TO RESERVE MY PLACE ?
Only once we have confirmed that there is a place for you do you pay your reservation deposit. remember places are limited and the demand is high so, need to make sure you are a serious volunteer and your 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 Chalais to meet you will not be waisted and neither will a place in the group be lost.
The deposit is 1 week for every three you have reserved.
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 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. Remember to notify your bank if you are traveling abroad and intend to use your bank card
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 21 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 2012 project starts 1st April and finishes 30th October 2012.
CHECK THE PROGRAM DATES
DO I NEED A TRAVEL PERMIT?
This you would have to check with your local French 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 a worker and 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 that have been collected plus the daily office jobs of dealing with email and enquiries plus the daily blog entries and the social media. Plus lots of things planned for 2012 like our internship program for 2013. Plus we need some one to do the cooking and other household chores
such as shopping etc.
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 for primary schools and this volunteers working holiday program plus an internship program planned for 2013. Lots of work has been done by the previous groups but Maybe you have some good ideas which we could look at - 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, internet, clerical, building, gardening, cleaning, accounts, 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 helping out with the school trips.
CAN I BRING MY LAP TOP?Yes please do we have WiFi in place and it's included.
MOBILE PHONES - IF YOU MUST
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 or working 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 OVER 1,000 US DOLLARS PER WEEK TO STUDY ABROAD LAST YEAR HOW CAN IT ONLY BE 182 EUROS AT LA GIRAUDIERE ?
Yes it exists people are paying 1000's us dollars a week to go abroad and study French or about France and they spend 4 or 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.
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 THE STATION AT CHALAIS ?
YES
READ MORE ABOUT WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE WORKING HOLIDAY PROJECT
ARRIVAL
POINT AND TRANSFERSThe main arrival point is Chalais station or Gare which is about 10 km from La Giraudiere. I or some one would meet you at Chalais. 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 your place reservation payment.
Chalais station is on the TER rail line that runs from Bordeaux to Angouleme. Normally there are 3 trains per day so be sure to check how it fits with your arrival times. Remember Chalais is on the TER not the TGV line.
I HAVE A FLIGHT TO LA
ROCHELLE FOR 15 EUROS IF I MAKE MY
WAY TO
CHALAIS 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.CHALAIS WILL YOU MEET ME?
I
AM ARRIVING AT
BORDEAUX AIRPORT HOW DO I GETTO 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.
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 DAY
Wake up time is normally about 7.30 and breakfast is a typical continental breakfast. Work start about 9.00 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, each member of the group is expected to do his or her turn so bring a recipe. I normally contribute with a barbecue once a week.
CAN I DRINK THE WATER?
I have been drinking the tap water for the last 8 years and so far no problems,
DIABETIC 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" a 10 year old Labrador
CAN WE APPLY AS A GROUP?
Providing we have the space. Presently we have 11 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 140 euros per week a saving of 84 euros per week or 42 euros each. The deposit for reserving your place is 150 euros each per person
THE
WEATHERThe 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. A page about the weather in Brossac as been produced and you can see WEATHER IN BROSSAC
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.
INTERNSHIP GRANTS & CREDITS
Can I use the La Giraudiere project to gain a credit and will I be able to get a grant?
We have had several volunteers who have used La Giraudiere's volunteers working holiday as part of their internship abroad and they
have been successful in obtaining their credit and also we have had volunteers who have been successful in obtaining an internship grant
for there stay at La Giraudiere.
Last year we had Marlou from Holland who had gained both a grant from the "Leonardo da Vinci program"and
a credit from her university.
You should check with your academic department as most internships have to be coordinated and
approved by the appropriate academic department prior.
La Giraudiere can offer Internships in Construction industry, Website design with a emphasis on search engine optimization, Tourism with an emphasis on educational trips, Setting up and running a volunteers program, general business administration, French and English language, Park management,
A Volunteers Internship
A volunteer internship can be done if you are not eligible to receive academic credit, but wants to gain
work experience specific to a field of interest and obviously a field that La Giraudiere can offer you.
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 use of the finished accommodation.
WHAT PART OF LA GIRAUDIERE IS FINISHED AND WHAT DOES THE ACCOMMODATION LOOK LIKE?
Like to Read what our previous volunteers had to say about their experience,
VOLUNTEERS BLOGS AND TESTIMONIALS
Below are links to blogs and other info that others have said about the La Giraudiere Project
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
READ WHAT LISA FROM USA HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER STAY IN FRANCE
Louise used La Giraudiere as part of her 2009 travel plans read her blog to see how it spanned out
ADRIENNES BLOG FROM 2010 IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE
Read what Maria a Spanish volunteer said about her stay in 2010
Judys Blog
Monica from the USA found more than she expected on her working holiday
A SPAINISH VIEW OF LA GIRAUDIERE IN SPAINISH
Minjie Li from China explains how she found La Giraudiere and how she went about arranging her trip
CHINESSE VOLUNTEER IN FRANCE
Hiroko a Japanese volunteer who stayed at La Giraudiere in 2011 explains the logistics of such a trip gives help and advice in japanesse on how to apply
Rosemary during her stay at La Giraudiere in 2011 put together some pages in German ~ Freiwilligenarbeits programm
Like to read what some of the major players think of the La Giraudiere project, well it is simple just carry out a search for the following term
la giraudiere volunteers working holiday in France
Use Google, Yahoo or Bing who ever and you will find over 8000 yes eight thousand different websites referring to the project
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
NO SMOKING -SORRY
LG is a no smoking zone but there is a smokers corner provided under a tree over the lane
WOULD I FIND WORK IN THE AREA DURING MY TIME OFF
Some of the group in the past have found some part time temporary work for some of the English speaking community in the area.
One group member found a season job with the golf club at Aubeterre. Remember in France you must be registered and and have a social security number in order to work for French registered companies.
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
VISIT WORK PROGRAM PAGE