L'Ark is an attempt to live healthy, active, fun, meaningful, satisfying lives.
Reasonably self-sufficient, embracing science, respecting nature, emphasising fun not finance, worthwhile and satisfying work, a stable home and good education for children... all the good stuff.
In a very lush area of Southern France, L'Ark has its own water supply from two wells, 45 hectares of fields and woodland, a small lake, vegetable patches, and a kitchen garden.
There are plans to build a large tree house overlooking a clearing in the woods, and a boathouse on the lake to cover the floating bed which was built last year.
L'Ark is at 450m altitude. There is a large windsurfing / sailing lake, and climbing within 40 minutes, an international airport 1h15m, and the sea just over 2 hours away.
Farming and food production will be the main activity. We will, of course, aim to use the easiest practises known.
There are 6 independent houses, and a variety of outbuildings, workshops, and barns, which include a pigsty, kiln, and stable.
There is water and electricity to all buildings, and broadband can be installed.
As you might imagine, some are nicer than others, some are in a better state than others. All are immediately habitable, though we would likely work together to help bring two of them up to a better standard.
Building materials are available locally, and cheaply, as there are timber yards and marble quarries nearby.
You are easy-going, friendly, like working hard at things you enjoy, like creating (anyting really: food, music, go karts..), intelligent and thoughtful, and happy to live closely - yet as independently as you wish - with other people.
Make no mistake that running a self-sufficient farm for 8 to 20 people is harder work than you might imagine. There are long days of physically hard work, especially during the harvest. But it's fun and rewarding, and shared between all of us and lubricated by home-made cider, it's more fun than work.
You do not have to have any experience at anything relevant, but you must be willing to learn -which will also involve reading and teaching yourself since it's likely that others will not know either.
If you need persuading that the principles are sound, then L'Ark is not for you.
Almost everything written about happiness concludes that a simple, healthy, industrious, vital, balanced, and communal life is the one that is best for us.
Some of the benefits are economies of scale, cohorts in creativity, momentum, fun, and friendship.
We are aiming for self-sufficiency for food and fuel, within 3 years. And complete self-sufficiency within 5 years.
The intentions within this intentional community are as minimal as they can possibly be whilst being a viable system. This is an intentionally collaborative village, not a commune.
The current owners - a single family - are selling due to the financial crisis. They have been running it as holiday accommodation and can no longer afford to. They do not wish run it communally. They are, as you might imagine, rather upset to be leaving.
If you are interested, please email for more details.