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Host rating
85 %
Last replied
15 May 2024
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Details
Description
Hello! I'm Jamie, an English guy running a cycling-focused guest house in the beautiful French Pyrenees, in Villelongue, close to the most famous Tour de France climbs. I would love to share these mountains with you over the course of a summer season. I offer fully catered cycling holidays, both guided and self-guided, and for road and gravel cycling. I host groups of up to 10 riders in an old farmhouse. I provide their airport transfers, routes, breakfast, dinner and homemade ride snacks. I love what I do and - though it's a cliché - I really feel like all our guests leave as friends. My ethos is 'nothing is too much trouble' and the guest experience is everything. This is my livelihood, business and passion, so I work hard and set high standards.
This area is amazing for any outdoors lifestyle and offers exceptional opportunities for cycling, hiking, trail running, climbing and river sports. The road cycling is world famous and the Tour de France will pass within 2km of our house again this year on stage 14. Revered climbs such as the Col du Tourmalet, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden and Col du Soulor are all within 10km. The mountain biking is equally celebrated, with the Enduro World Series and UCI Downhill World Cup both visiting Lourdes many times over the years, plus great lift-served MTB parks in several of the ski areas. Less well known is the XC and gravel riding which is sensational as it uses lots of the nordic ski trails and often goes much higher than the roads. Look up Pic du Midi de Bigorre and see for yourself.
Because we allow guests to book their choice of dates - rather than mandating Saturday-Saturday stays - our calendar is more organic. Sometimes we will have guests for a solid three-week period; at other times there will be gaps of a few days before the next arrivals. This shapes the opportunities for days off - they're irregular but plentiful. I can step in to cook and give you a night off when there is a long run of bookings.
Cooking is where I really need some help. I don't have the time or the skill. If you really love cooking for hungry, appreciative people, I think you would really enjoy working here. You get to eat with the guests and it's always a great vibe.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn English/French, explore, hike, cycle, run, see the Tour de France…
We are based in the heart of the Pyrenees and you will have a big chunk of each day free, plus a few days off when we don't have guests in the house, so you will have every opportunity to make the most of being here, whatever that looks like to you.
If you're a cyclist yourself, we will be very happy to ride with you and show you all of our favourite routes, with rides tailored to your fitness level.
Equally, if you would like to spend your time relaxing in the garden, enjoying the tranquility of our quiet village, of course you could do that.
Whatever the mountains mean to you, we would love to help you maximise your experience here.Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
Help
The main help I need is preparing fantastic three-course dinners for guests. The food is a key part of their experience and we have always put in a lot of effort to make it delicious, satisfying, nutritious, varied and also tailored to any and all dietary requirements and preferences. It is important that you love cooking, have a strong awareness of food hygiene and a big book of recipes!
If you are interested in a placement, please send your ideas for a three-course meal for hungry cyclists.
Additionally, we would like you to help with clearing up after dinner and breakfast, making and packing ride snacks, getting groceries, and a bit of cleaning some mornings (>1h) once guests have left for their rides.
Because our season spans five months (May through September) we are hoping that you can stay for at least one month and ideally longer.
This is a paid placement at €60 per day. You will need to have the necessary visa to work in France.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Your accommodation will be a modern, well-equipped caravan, located in the garden close to the house and connected to mains power. It has a kitchen, WC, shower and fridge. You will have your own private space when you want it and you will be very welcome to spend as much time as you like in the house, too. The caravan has a large awning for extra living space and it even has a mountain view! The bed is very comfortable, with a memory foam mattress topper.
You will be welcome to eat with us and share the food prepared for the guests. All your food and drink is provided.
Your only expenses during your stay will be your days out, and most of the best activities don't cost anything - outside is free!
What else ...
We have a car that you can use for getting groceries etc and you are welcome to use it in your time off too. It's a small electric car with a limited range of 100km, so beyond that you would either need your own car or to take the train. We will be happy to take you to Lourdes train station (15 minutes away) on a day off. Likewise, if you fly here we can collect you from Lourdes airport, which is just 25 minutes away. If you drive here, we have plenty of parking.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Great WiFi with lots of options of places to work from, including outside.
Space for parking camper vans
No limit. Lots of parking.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Around 4-5hrs per day
