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Housekeeping & Hospitality in a 19th-Century Loire Valley Mansion

5.0
(12 reviews)12

The experience

Live in a stunning 19th-century mansion, or maison bourgeoise, with sweeping views of the Loire river in the heart of Blois—a royal city full of history and charm. As our single housekeeping volunteer, you will be in charge of the daily operations that are essential to creating a beautiful and peaceful environment where guests can relax and connect with the natural beauty and history of the region.

What you offer

24 hours of help per week

Kitchen Hand: Help prepare, finish and serve meals.

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Housekeeping: Help with changing the bed linens and general housekeeping.

What you get

1 day off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Get free drinks or beverages.: Drink up! Get free and tasty drinks for yourself.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate French

Over 21 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

We invite you to join our household and experience daily life in the heart of France's "Valley of the Kings." This is a hands-on work exchange where you will be the primary support for our bed & breakfast, with mornings dedicated to essential housekeeping tasks. The program offers a balance of work and cultural immersion, as your afternoons are free to explore.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are seeking a proactive and hardworking individual who is passionate about providing excellent customer service and takes pride in a job well done. We select volunteers who can take initiative to improve the efficiency of our daily operations and enhance the overall guest experience, without needing to be asked. An independent work ethic and attention to detail will be the key to success in this role.

LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD
You will live as a member of the household with the owner. We provide all ingredients, so you can either collaborate with us on cooking and cleaning up together or prepare your own meals independently. You will also have one day off per week for excursions, which will be determined each week based on the booking calendar.

EXPERIENCING THE REGION
Maison Loire is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, a region renowned for its vineyards and historic castles, many just a train or bike ride away. The maison is at the top of a hill in Blois, a historic town famous for its magnificent chateau. The train station and city center are each a five-minute walk from the maison, making exploration of the region easy on your time off. You will of course be invited to join us on cultural excursions, from attending local concerts and festivals to exploring the region's many castles and natural sites. We are also happy to help you practice your English or French.

Activities & Shift

Your work is an intensive 4-hour shift every morning, during which you will be solely responsible for all room changeovers and daily cleaning as well as breakfast service. Your tasks include making beds, cleaning guest suites, and preparing rooms for check-in. We like to work together with the volunteer so we can get to know each other better.

Secondary tasks like gardening, ironing linens, or polishing silver are rare and only come up when the primary responsibilities are completed and time permits.

Rules

Drugs are prohibited on the property.

Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas.

Outside guests are not permitted in the house without prior permission from the owners.

Volunteers are required to be home before midnight to avoid disturbing guests.

Ingredients for meals are provided, but volunteers prepare their own meals or together with owner, Nicolas.