JULY HOST: NICO AND HIS 13TH CENTURY CISTERIAN MONASTIC FARM
France is the most popular tourist destination in the world for a reason.
Actually there are several reasons. There is the delicious French cuisine that includes the most decadent cream sauces, crusty/chewy baguettes, bold cheeses, perfect patisseries and the best wines in the world. There are the beautiful French Alps and the rolling hills of the south. There is the language, the history, the architecture, the art and the athletics. There are the gorgeous French women. I’ve come to France for all of it.
Okay, maybe some reasons are higher priority than others.
I’ve actually visited Paris a couple of times before, but the south of France had always escaped my travel itineraries. It was time to rectify this. So when it came time to design the European leg of my travels, I knew immediately that the south France would be on the list. I wanted to drink some good wine, eat some cheese and practicer mon français de tabernac.
I searched over many mediums for the perfect place to spend my month: vineyards, farms, campgrounds and art collectives. But I was drawn to the helpx.net profile of a Monsieur Nicholas Revel and his current project to renovate a 17th century Cistercian monk’s quarters. His current projects include restoring medieval masonry, re-insulation, reroofing, building staircases, digging a pod and maintaining the garden and chicken flock. But Nico has also expressed interest in my blogging and web-development skills, so there might be some of that badass action happening also.
EXPECTATIONS:
- To practice my French
- To learn a bit more about restoring medieval buildings.
- To eat cheese and baguette, and to drink wine
- To marinate in my broodiness
- To connect with other volunteers from around the world

















wow, this sounds incredible. please drink wine and each cheese on my behalf. I hope this month brings you lots of adventure, joy and contentment.
you suddenly look so french pappa maybe u should relocate wat do you think?
The monks would frown upon the levels of my jealousy. Seriously. When I was 26, I nearly did what you are now doing in the south of France. I wasn’t brave enough. Maybe that’s how it was meant to be…you not me. LIVE MY DREAM BAYLIS! (or at the very least sit in the grass have a glass of wine and some cheese for me…really I’m a girl after the simple things
)