Farming in Rural France - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

poeyhow · 03-16-2005, 04:47 AM

Hi. This is Ben from Malaysia. I'm leaving for Europe soon, plan to visit countries like France, Holland and Italy. But what I really want is to experience life in the countryside, enjoying fruit picking, vegie harvesting and cow milking!! Anyone there that could help me out with their invaluable experience? Thanks.[color=blue]

**kingcrazylegs** · 03-16-2005, 10:27 AM

I am not sure on if/how on the work visa thing for you in France...but for what you are looking to do I would think you would hardly need it. I think if you show up that is the type of work that you might be able to do under the table or for food and lodging or something...so I am thinking just go out and use you persuasive skills

Oh, and WELCOME TO TPUNK Ben

**Esterina** · 03-16-2005, 10:47 AM

WELCOME !!!

Maybe I'll be able to help. I just emailed friends of mine who are from France, from the countryside, to submit your request. Hopefully will they find work for you ! I'll keep in touch with you.

When will you be in France and for how long ?

By the way, I was twice in Malaysia... for two hours each time ! And only in the airport. Some other time, I'll stay and visit.

poeyhow · 03-16-2005, 11:58 AM

Thanks so much for the information. U guys are great! I've got little idea of which part of rural France to head for. Could u suggest some great countryside? By the way, I love Colmar. As there's a 'clone' French village in Malaysia too. It's situated on a hillside and closely mimics the buiding structures of the real one and it's even called Colmar Tropical! Not bad for a clone, I've been there and that's the closest experience I got to a French village feel! I guess I'll spend quite some time in Europe travelling and working, before leaving for London to further my study in September. Well, ever since the airing of a series of programs on our local TV by Discovery, Travel & Living, I've been deeply enthralled by the life at an European farm and determined to work it out for me someday. One more question, I don't know whether it's the right time to leave in April for any type of harvests in France? I wonder if it's tooo early now.

kimballthegreat · 03-16-2005, 02:38 PM

That's a cool thing to want to do ... Ummm when i went to EU after graduating HS I hitch hiked around with a friend and the people that gave us a lift took us to their son's grandparent's house. They were very nice and open. They gave us food and wine and got out the nice dishes for us, complete strangers. I would suggest doing something similar, getting out to the part of france that you want to go to and let them know what you want to do. I imagine if you offer to do it free ... just for the experience and maybe some food/lodging .... that they wouldn't say no.
kimball

ladaz · 03-16-2005, 04:05 PM

I used to waste a good portion of my Saturdays browsing around a used book store where my friend worked. One day I found a fabulous book that I bought and read cover to cover called "Work Your Way Around the World." Self-explanitory.

I remember it being written by a man, but I just found this one on Amazon and it's by a woman. I can't vouch for this particular copy (the book I read is too out of date to be of much use), but the reviews seem helpful. This might be too general for what you want, but it can't hurt to check it out.

"Work Your Way Around the World" by Susan Griffith

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1...3909638-9019069