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Join us as a Guardian & Community Host in a remote hamlet in Southern France, shape a residency for artists and individuals on a journey of discovery while leading a self-determined, nature-oriented lifestyle.
Overview
Salary
No salary declared 😔
Location
South of France
Expires
Expires at anytime
Organisation Summary
Maison Marcelle is a distinctive residency located in a secluded spot in the hills of Southern France. It's a refuge for artists, writers, activists, and those on a personal journey and caters to around 15 fellows annually, as well as workshop groups and meditators. The residency promotes a sense of community and self-sufficiency among its guests.
Role Summary
- Overall site management which includes 4 houses, a studio, 2 yurts and adjacent land.
- Planning of program and selection of fellows.
- Maintenance of technical infrastructure and coordination of housekeeping.
- Occasional driving for transport duties.
- Hosting of welcome dinners and team events.
Role Requirements
- Affinity towards nature-oriented and self-determined lifestyle.
- Excellent problem-solving capabilities.
- A good grasp of basic handicrafts.
- Must have fluency in French and English; German is a bonus.
- Must have the necessary papers to legally work and live in the EU.
- Must have a love for community building and mindful hosting.
- Mandatory ownership of a car for mobility purposes.
Application Process Details
- Interested candidates should send an informal application detailing their skills and motivations to joana.breidenbach@betterplace.org.
- The subject line of the email should read 'Guardian & Residency Host – Application'.
We are looking for two people who would like to live in a small, remote hamlet in the hills of Southern France (40 minutes from Nice) – and help shape this place with heart, hands and a sense of community. If you think of yourself as someone who feels at ease living in a remote setting, is good with the land, competent at fixing things around the house, and has a broad range of technical skills, we would love to hear from you! This is a position that requires a mix of manual labor and social skills, though they could be split between two people.
Maison Marcelle is a residency for artists, writers, activists and people on an inner journey of discovery. Every year, around 15 fellows, a few workshop groups and meditators spend time at this special place. The residency is largely self-organised; fellows cook for themselves, among other things.
Starting in January 2026, we are looking for two Guardians & Community Hosts who will…
…look after and maintain this place:
- Supervision of four houses, a studio, two yurts, paths and adjacent land
- Gardening work around the houses and terraces (the maintenance of around 200 olive trees is carried out by a professional)
- Looking after the pool
- Maintaining the technical infrastructure with tradespeople (water, electricity, plumbing)
- Coordinating the cleaning and preparation of the houses
- Occasional driving (e.g. to Nice Airport / St. Raphael train station)
…support the residency:
- Help design the programme and select the fellows
- Coordinate the stays (approx. 15 fellows per year + retreat groups)
- Be the local contact person for all questions and concerns
- Host welcome dinners and other social events
- Developing communication and community rituals
- Working with an external cleaner
What you should bring:
- Enjoyment of a nature-oriented, self-determined lifestyle
- Ability to take on responsibility – both technical and interpersonal
- The guardian must have a good knowledge of basic handy work (this is essential)
- Ability to problem solve in an independent and competent way
- Enthusiasm for community building and mindful hosting
- Good French and English skills (German welcome)
- Ideally, you have your own projects or an activity that is compatible with the tasks on site
- Your own car (necessary for mobility)
- Ability to legally work and live in the EU (this is a must, we cannot provide a visa)
- The intention to help shape the place in the long term
What we offer:
- A rent-free, typical southern French stone house with a large living room and three small bedrooms
- Living surrounded by nature, space and tranquillity
- A monthly financial compensation (negotiable)
- A four-month transition period with the previous guardians
- Long-term collaboration with a committed family who initiated the residency and are also on site for about half of the year
Interested?
Then we look forward to receiving your informal application with information about yourself, your skills and your motivations.
Write to: [email removed - click apply for more details]
Subject: ‘Guardian & Residency Host – Application’
