We had a wonderful exchange this summer. Bill and Wendy have a very nice old French house but is was very convenient. A big kitchen and plenty of spac...
Read More...Irene
Germany
Aug 22, 2021 - Aug 24, 2021
Became a member in: 2018
Renewal Date: 02/Apr/2025
We will respond to all requests.
We are a retired Australian couple in our 60's, non smoking, who live in La Creuse,
France. Bill, Information Technology Manager and Wendy, Online Communications.
We would consider all destinations. We have had many successful swaps and house sits since arriving in France in 2016.
So surprise us with your offer to swap.
Additional languages spoken
French
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Skiing,
Hiking,
Wine Lovers,
Foodies
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees,
Seniors,
Technology Professionals,
Banking / Finance,
Communty Service Volunteers
MoreLessProfession
IT Manager and Online Communications (Retired)
Irene
Germany
Sabine
Germany
Berna & Frank
Netherlands
We had a wonderful exchange this summer. Bill and Wendy have a very nice old French house but is was very convenient. A big kitchen and plenty of spac...
Read More...We had a wonderful exchange this summer. Bill and Wendy have a very nice old French house but is was very convenient. A big kitchen and plenty of space for just the two of us. Everything was tidy. And as surprise in the sunny garden there was a Spa which we used a lot. Bill and Wendy are very easy going and for us it was a delight that we could communicate in English. We surely recommend this place. Thanks Bill and Wendy for another excellent exchange.
Read Less...Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Weekend Home Exchange
Long-term Home Exchange
Smoking Not Allowed
No Children Please
Use of Personal Car is possible
Apr 30, 2024 - Dec 31, 2025 | Open to all destinations |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
Enjoy the relaxed way of life here in rural France.
Our two story stone house was built in
1906 and added onto in 2017. Major renovations took place in 2022/2023.
The first floor has 2 bedrooms. One bedroom has a queen size bed (160 x 200) and the other bedroom has a double bed (150 x 190). Both bedrooms have bedside tables, lamps, mirrors and chest of drawers. Recently renovated (2023) with a new ceilings and new walls, freshly painted, new rugs.
On this floor is also a large bathroom with a shower over bath arrangement, toilet, hand basin and heated towel rail. This has also had a new ceiling and new flooring and fresh paint (January 2023).
There is also a large office with 2 desks and a bookshelf and large cube unit which has board games, books, CD and DVDs. We have very good Wifi for those that need to work remotely.
We will provide all linen. Both beds have doonas, blankets and pillows.
On the ground floor is a well stocked large brand new kitchen - Jan 2023 - with all new appliances (except for a coffee machine as we like to go out for our coffee fix), new lounge room and dining room with large doors opening to the front of the house.
French TV and plenty of movies and TV series on hard drives to watch.
The house faces south so receives the beautiful French sun. These rooms have also had new ceilings, walls and new tiles in Jan 2023.
There is a slow combustion heater and we will provide some wood and kindling if swapping during the colder months.
The extension to the rear of our house consists of an anteroom and craft room. As well as a fully equipped laundry including double trough, washing machine, dryer and extra fridge/freezer and another bathroom with shower, toilet and hand basin.
There is electric heating and 2 fuel heaters. Overhead fans are located in the kitchen and office with extra pedestal fans if needed.
We have a beautiful terrace at the back of the house which has shade, barbeque, tables and chairs.
You will require a car as there is no public transport - we would consider a car exchange depending on circumstances (we can discuss options).
You will need an Emission Sticker for your car if travelling into certain larger towns or cities of France.
Also note - we have an attic bedroom on the 2nd floor which has a king size bed (180 x 200) and new full bathroom (Our bedroom). The use of this bedroom can be discussed if more room is required. So potentially the house could sleep 6 (3 couples) although our preference is only swapping with couples or 2 couples as our house is not suitable for children.
We prefer not to care for animals on a swap.
Type
House - 2 or more floors/ Main Residence
Amenities
Entertainment
Extras
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
Our village has roughly 100 inhabitants including surrounding hamlets.
We are situated in a rural part of France
where there are wonderful areas for walking (randonées/hiking). You can visit many lakes and picnic areas and lots of little villages to explore.
One and half hours to the Central Massif where there's skiing at Le Mont Dore. Our area is great for ebiking.
The nearest amenities are 10 & 14 kms away so you will need transport as there is no public transport available.
You will find a supermarket, 2 boulangeries, 2 cafes and 2 restaurants, plus 2 pharmacies, doctors, post office, banks and tourist office in Gouzon. A bigger village 14 kms (Boussac) has more restaurants, fantastic markets as well as the usual banks, post office, hairdressers, pharmacies, large health centre and 2 supermarkets.
There are many larger towns within or just over an hours drive such as Limoges (Porcelein capital), Montlucon (train station connection -30 mins), Gueret, Chateauroux (train station connection - 1hr), Aubusson (tapestry capital). There are great market towns as well such as Felletin, Argenton sur Creuse, Gargalisse (beau village), St Severe, Chambon sur Vouieze plus many more.
A favourite of ours is Collonge-la-rouge over near Brive.
The church at Moutier d'ahun is a must to see as very unique as is the Abbey at Chambon.
Being in central France is handy also as you can be in many different countries in less than a half days drive. Remember, you will need to investigate whether to buy an Emission sticker for your car if you are travelling through some of the larger French cities.
Our neighbours are all french and are just lovely and welcoming.
We have some English friends in hamlets close by.
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Transport Nearby
Neighbourhood Services
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
There are many hiking trails around this area.
Up through forests at Toulx St Croix (5kms) are many walking paths. Some that follow along
a Roman wall.
We have a number of small amazing old churches that are open to the public and free of charge around the area.
There are adventure parks, trails that lead to boulders, historic preserved villages from WW2 (over an hours drive - Orador sur Glane).
Tapestry towns, Porcelain town, Market towns nearby. There are a couple of horse riding schools close by.
There are many lakes that are within driving distance. Examples are The 3 Lacs, Lac Vassavierre, Treignat has a beautiful lake and camping grounds, big lake at Gueret (25mins) and at Montlucon (30mins). La Creuse is known for it's lakes.
Or if you just feel like relaxing there are plenty of books to read, lots of movies on disks or just sit on the terrace with a glass of wine and watch the french life go by. Entirely up to you. We have many brochures and pamphlets of things to do and see.
Our favourite restaurants
Cafés & bars
Leisure and cultural activities
Interesting day trips
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
Our home is suitable for a couple or perhaps 2 couples. (However, it can accommodate up to 6 people - 3 couples, which we can discuss).
We prefer not to care for pets with a swap as we may be away from your house for one or two nights to explore your area further.
Just to keep our home clean and tidy as we would with yours.
Our requirements would be a nice big comfortable bed, non smoking, parking place and good Wifi.
We have completed many successful and wonderful swaps. Some have been using other house swap sites like Intervac and Homeexchange.
If we send a request to swap then we'd love/appreciate a quick response. Doesn't matter if it's a negative response or just to say you are thinking about it.
We have lived and travel extensively in Australia. Now it's Europe's turn.
We love mountains, rural areas, urban places, small villages, big cities if there is parking, rivers, oceans. Keen to explore this wonderful world.
We are looking forward to securing a number of swaps for 2024. We already have 2 locked in.
It's usually the 2 of us travelling but might want to bring along another couple for a few nights which can be discussed.
We're not restricted to school holidays and can travel anytime during the year.
Please no young children as the house is not suitable.
Looking forward to hearing your swap offer.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Became a member in: 2018
Renewal Date: 02/Apr/2025
We will respond to all requests.
We are a retired Australian couple in our 60's, non smoking, who live in La Creuse,
France. Bill, Information Technology Manager and Wendy, Online Communications.
We would consider all destinations. We have had many successful swaps and house sits since arriving in France in 2016.
So surprise us with your offer to swap.
Additional languages spoken
French
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Skiing,
Hiking,
Wine Lovers,
Foodies
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees,
Seniors,
Technology Professionals,
Banking / Finance,
Communty Service Volunteers
MoreLessProfession
IT Manager and Online Communications (Retired)
Irene
Germany
Sabine
Germany
Berna & Frank
Netherlands
We had a wonderful exchange this summer. Bill and Wendy have a very nice old French house but is was very convenient. A big kitchen and plenty of spac...
Read More...We had a wonderful exchange this summer. Bill and Wendy have a very nice old French house but is was very convenient. A big kitchen and plenty of space for just the two of us. Everything was tidy. And as surprise in the sunny garden there was a Spa which we used a lot. Bill and Wendy are very easy going and for us it was a delight that we could communicate in English. We surely recommend this place. Thanks Bill and Wendy for another excellent exchange.
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