It all started back in 1977 when my wife (Chantal) and I (Jean Pierre) were only 24. We had, for several years been friends with some disabled adults – that in itself was a strange adventure that began by chance, in Kent five years before!

In 1977 our disabled friends, who were in a home, wished to go on a holiday outside of their institutional surroundings. We thought that was a great idea, and le Puy Batard was born. A strange name perhaps, but it just happened to be the name of where we were living in Creuse at that time. Indeed, it was an old 15th century house that we were renting. The house, of course, was quite inappropriate.

Running Le Puy Batard is not our job, although it is work for us, it is more than that – it is a way for us to give something back. We feel that a happy and successful life requires more than money or a career.

32 Years On

The years have gone by and we have had four children. They have grown up and left home and I have become an entrepreneur in Guéret, running my own small business.

Le Puy Batard has been running every year since it started. We always welcome our visitors, new or old, in the same spirit as we did our friends on that first holiday. Now we have a purpose built house which is well adapted and comfortable for everyone.

What is le Puy Batard about?

Le Puy Batard organizes holidays for about 60 days per year - over Christmas and in June and July. There are around fifteen people at any one time mostly with a disability from birth, for example Cerebral Palsy.

In total, there are around 80 different visitors each year, mostly staying between 1 and 2 weeks, although there is no fixed duration. Volunteers who live in Creuse can choose to go home at night or sleep on site.

It is always difficult to find volunteers, and so it can be a challenge to organize and run our holidays, but somehow it always seems to work out every time, although often at the last moment.

Why tell our story on Pont Noir?

First, we believe you “our” expats are a blessing for the Creuse: you bring new blood into a part of the country with shaky demographics and a poor economy - so long as you are able to integrate. To integrate, you have to speak French, meet and mix with the locals.

That’s where we can help! In return, we need help, or rather our friends need your help, as a volunteer at Le Puy Batard.

To find out more visit our website or call 05 55 81 12 05