Edmont
Foundation

It was my first ever time leaving home and I have to say, it was incredibly great. Gregory’s place is really beautiful and peaceful. It has a great kind of energy. I felt so good there. I really enjoyed his company. He is very funny and has an absolute positive mindset. Thank you for the good times and life encouragement! See you soon!

Apart from that, if you like dogs, you will get wonderful companions, friends really, called Owen, a four year old Vizsla, and Sylver a Weimaraner puppy. These beautiful dogs taught me to enjoy nature, freedom and calmness in a way I had not been able to before and they helped me to regain some of the long lost energy for life. I was instantly feeling welcomed by Gregory and all the animals. Other than working with the animals, woodwork and gardening, during my stay I was traveling around and exploring nearby cities and villages and other days just enjoying the beautiful forest and moments of quiet, complete solitude. Even when people are around, there is so much space that there is always a quiet place to retreat. I was lucky enough also to experience olive picking with Gregory at his olive grove in Provence, which was just another fulfilling and calming experience that I can cherish as a beautiful memory. It was a big relief from my pressured life back home that was closing in on me. Those long walks in nature are something I will truly miss but I am now changed so much as look at life a different way. In fact, this stay in France saved the relationship with my wife. I strongly recommend coming stay in this 12th century mansion for anyone seeking to regain that kind of inner “it” that we lose every day in our 9 to 5 city lives…..

My time here has been quite peaceful and productive. I enjoyed the calm and beautiful nature, and discovered new skills in the process. I spent a week deconstructing and then restoring an unstable 600 year old dry-stone support wall section. This was a skill that I wanted to learn, and was happy to have the opportunity. Greg is very open to creative ideas and solutions to tasks. My creative ideas and solutions were valued… finally. The property is very large and there are so many different stunning places to explore and things to be done. The various accommodation options are all fantastic. The studio apartments are comfortable and have a great view from their balconies, and the guest houses further below are beautiful and spacious. The best accommodation that I’ve had in all my life. In fact, best experience of my life.” If you like nature and quiet, and could benefit from disconnecting with chaos and reconnecting with nature, then I would highly recommend this place. Nestled away from everyday civilisation, this property has a level of quiet that I’ve rarely experienced.

The place is absolutely nice, the experience in the forest is relaxed and really beautiful in autumn. Also the weather is great, surprised that here is not really cold. Is the perfect option if you loves nature and you are looking to have a good time learning and practicing DIY skills. The work was entertaining and never too much, a perfect balance of spirituality and hands on learning work. Here you have all that you needs. I love also that this place is auto sustainable and the permaculture project is helping the planet in same way helping souls. Definitely another place to take in my heart and completely recommended 😉

I really enjoyed my stay here! Rather than take themselves too seriously, everything is easy going and welcoming. Gregory, for instance, is always joking and will have you laughing from the moment you arrive! I had fun working on various projects like building a chicken coop and a greenhouse or collecting chestnuts in the seemingly infinite chestnut forest! There are beautiful places and serene spots for meditation in all directions. The views are unbelievable. Thanks again for this time in such a magnificent place!

(Translated from French) After all my travels, I never thought any new place could surprise me. I was wrong. I have volunteered at some of the most beautiful foundations in the world, and have met wonderful hosts, better and better each time. But Greg, Jani and their Microclimate gave me an experience that I will never forget. I think that this place is the dream come true for people who volunteer their time to help others, because they are helped so much themselves. Greg and Jani were the perfect hosts, attentive but not at all intrusive. And the environment is indescribably fantastic. Thank you Greg and Jani. I dearly hope to see you again.

Highly Recommend!!! Greg and Jani are the most friendly and welcoming people I’ve ever met! I’ve had an amazing two months here on a journey that has changed my life. Not to mention the fun with all the working skills I have learned. I also learned all about Finland from Jani! On top of everything, Greg is a brilliant cook (and wine connoisseur!). On Easter Monday he made stuffed Guinea fowl with chestnuts from the property it was divine! The only sad part was leaving, but I do not see the world in the same negative way anymore and have taken so much good with me.

My time spent with Greg at this place was amazing! I originally was unsure if it would be helpful for me and planned to stay for two weeks and ended up staying over a month. A month at this place that has changed me forever. The location is incredible, in the south part of the National Park of Les Cevennes, which is full of water springs and different types of forests. It is a bit remote, but for guests and volunteers who did not have their own way of transport, Jani would arrange all of their transportations or pick them up and drop them off at the train station. Trips down to the village were also possible always.There are hills and mountains all around with pine, chestnut, and oak trees and many natural water springs and natural swimming pools which are great for cooling off on hot summer days. The hospitality and kindness was more than I could have expected. I had nothing to think about accept inner growth outer belonging. I like to spend time alone, and so in my case all my groceries were covered and I made a lot of my own meals in my own kitchen. But a couple of times a week Greg would make a dinner which was wonderful and we would stay chatting and listening to music while sipping some good French wine! Everything was satisfying, the healing of nature, learning from an expert how to use mechanical tools for building, which was the lessons I chose for myself. We built an amazing pergola for an outdoor dining area and we completed the entire thing in about three weeks. We did it all from scratch using the materials the mountain offered. There were so many other choices to learn and just “be”. Thanks again, Greg, for a great and rewarding experience in southern France, and hope to spend time with you again in the future!

My experience in this natural paradise was wonderful! Myself and a friend were given a holiday home with our own kitchen, living room and terrace with the best view. In a spot like this it’s an incredible feeling to kick off your boots and enjoy the natural beauty all around and the organic food Greg provides. Often the only sounds you will hear are the birds and wind in the trees. Greg is a different kind of person, happy to help or listen or give advice or to teach whatever he knows. He always guided, enabled and encouraged us to find the best solutions to our problems. If it wasn’t for him and all the other great aspects of his place (sauna, gym, rockpools, swimming pool, meadows, forests, and the castle itself) I would actually say the work skills I learned was the highlight! In my 2 months I learned the “art” of permaculture. I dug for hours, weeded the walls and pavers, cut down trees to create raised beds for planting and planted all kinds of herbs and vegetables! On weekends we drove to the beach, visited Montpellier, Marseille, and Nimes, watched a rally race and relaxed to the maximum. Our daily routine often included the a morning walk, the gym, a dip in the stream and the sauna, and then a meditation and group discussion. Absolute heaven! On special occasions Greg ordered home made pizza from the local baker, or cooked up a storm himnself, and we laughed, chatted and sang in the chateau. Greg is so easy to talk to, and is full of funny stories, anecdotes, and if you’re lucky, even a poem or two. His wisdom has changed me forever and I plan to carry it forward to everyone I meet. Thank you so much for having me, it was a pleasure to really “live” at your place, and hopefully I’ll be back one day!

Had a really good time in a “Garden of Eden” of raw nature, clear sky, fresh air and spring water, vegetable garden and chickens, lovely and fun dogs, wild pigs, deers and various birds of prey. I came to volunteer to help others, but felt like I got a personal holiday instead. I spent many hours in the gorgeous forests picking porcini “cepe” mushrooms or tasty chestnuts to grill, which are famous for this area. Greg is kind and generous man, and his wish to help others, all with a good sense of humour, is an honour. It was my pleasure to help and hope and like to see it grow in a near future.

After spending three years in the north of Europe, I decided it was time to experience life in the mountains of the south. Because of my deep fascination with the north, I must admit my expectations for the south of France were set a little low. But this place can change even a stubborn Dane. I felt enormously privileged to experience the wildness, the simplicity, and the quiet strength of the land. 
Learning the value of repurposing whatever is around me and creating a permaculture garden with the resources available has had a big impact on me and my approach to tasks. Working with stones, wood, soil, and nature in the Cévennes is very simple, but so rewarding. The place itself is quiet and peaceful, and Greg is both welcoming and thoughtful, regularly checking in to make sure you feel at ease. He trusts you to get on with whatever you have chosen to work on, your person, your mind, your soul, your working skills, which makes it a great experience if you enjoy doing what you want at your own pace. I enjoyed every single day – whether it was hearing the heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, stories of other, or moving hundreds of giant ancient rocks to build with … or baking loads of bread every week in a massive wood-burning oven. Thanks for everything, Greg. Seeing you embrace the lifestyle, the land, and the daily challenges of helping others has been truly inspiring. See you soon!

I have been depressed for as long as I can remember. School was horrible for me, and I feel like I learned nothing. My childhood memories I wish I could forget. But here, in this beautiful world in the south of France, the skills I learned (people skills as well as practical skills) and memories made will stay with me forever, happily.

I spent nearly three weeks as a volunteer at Greg’s beautiful place in the middle of unspoiled nature and I definitely plan to return. He is a very kind, welcoming and respectful host who gives everyone freedom and autonomy. It was incredibly rewarding. Every day I accomplished something … there are enough natural resources to create pretty much anything. Most importantly, every day I helped Greg and Jani to to truly help other people. Their mission is so amazing and selfless. For me, it was a dream come true.

My only regret is that I was only able to spend three short weeks at this natural paradise. I felt like I only skimmed the surface of what it was possible to achieve here in terms of personal and spiritual growth, but even that has changed my life. I’m still processing all that happened to awaken me to what I was missing, so all I can say for sure is that it was a short stay that will have a warm and permanent place in my heart. Thank you so, so much.

My only regret is that I was only able to spend three short weeks at this natural paradise. I felt like I only skimmed the surface of what it was possible to achieve here in terms of personal and spiritual growth, but even that has changed my life. I’m still processing all that happened to awaken me to what I was missing, so all I can say for sure is that it was a short stay that will have a warm and permanent place in my heart. Thank you so, so much.

An absolutely stellar experience. My parents practically forced me to go, and it’s now one of thing things I am most grateful to them for! Lots of soul searching (finding), beautiful landscape, honest work to do if you want, incredibly generous host, and new friends made for life? What’s not to like? In this chaotic world, it can be a struggle to achieve peace. There is no better place than here to find yourself.

I was nervous to come but my first impression was about someone kind and hospitable, and considering this was my first trip out of my home country, I appreciated that widely. Until the last day I was there, Greg kept being in that way, and today I can say that I’m glad to consider him as a friend. He’s an amazing writer, and I will never forget how encouraged I was to follow my dreams and my own path. Thanks to him and this place, I am finally on the right one for me. He gave me the opportunity to plant a mango tree, and I really hope it’s going to grow big and strong like his dreams of helping others. For everyone that wants peace and enjoy the nature out of the city, a place to reflect and renew, I highly recommend this place.