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Discover the Ardèche While Helping us at our Historic Silk Mill

The experience

We’re Luc 🇳🇱 and Raquel 🇺🇸. Join us in the sunny Ardeche at La Filature—a dreamy 19th-century silk mill tucked between vineyards and mountains. Help with gardening, light renovation, and a bit of DIY as we bring this magical place to life. Share delicious meals, enjoy the views, and be part of a joyful, hands-on adventure. Laughter, beauty, and purpose guaranteed.

What you offer

5 hours of help per day

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

What you get

2 days off per week

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

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Tent: You will sleep in a tent at a camping site.

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.

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

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

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

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

Requirements

Beginner English

Over 18 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

Travel insurance

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

At La Filature, we’re creating something special — a space where history, nature, and community come together. Volunteers help with a mix of outdoor tasks like gardening, ivy removal, and light renovation or DIY projects. No special skills are needed, just a good attitude and a willingness to pitch in.

You’ll stay in our charming stone home in the Ardèche countryside, surrounded by vineyards and mountains. Accommodations are private (if solo) or shared (friends and couples welcome), and there’s space for camper vans.

This is a relaxed, inspiring environment where cultural exchange happens naturally. We speak English, French, Spanish, and Dutch, and love welcoming people from all backgrounds. You’ll work 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, with time to explore, swim, hike, or just take it all in.

Activities & Shift

Activities & Shifts:
Volunteers help with a variety of outdoor and light maintenance tasks depending on the weather and current needs. Tasks may include:

Gardening (weeding, planting, clearing overgrowth)
Removing ivy from stone walls
Cutting and carrying tree branches
Pressure-washing patios and walkways
Pool cleaning and upkeep
Painting shutters and woodwork
Light construction or DIY projects (no experience needed)


Schedule:
5 hours per day
5 days per week
Days off are flexible and we'll always try to coordinate around your needs

Rules

Volunteers must have valid travel and health insurance during their stay
Minimum age is 18
Please respect the house, property, and natural surroundings
No smoking inside the house
Be mindful of noise, especially in the evenings — we have neighbors nearby
Keep shared spaces clean and tidy
We value open communication, a positive attitude, and shared respect — this is a team effort!

Important Note for Applicants:
At this time, we are only accepting volunteer applications from individuals who already have their travel visas in hand (if applicable). As we finalize our schedule for the coming months, it's essential that all volunteers are fully prepared to travel without delays. Thank you for your understanding!