General Information
Languages- English (United States)Expert
- French (France)Expert
- GermanIntermediate
Groups I Belong ToCouch Information
Couch Available: Definitely! Preferred Gender: Female Max Surfers Per Night: 2
Shared Sleeping Surface: No Shared Room: NoOur couch is in our office/guest room. It is a private room with door. Our office/guest room has been remodeled and is ready again to host Couchsurfers. You are welcome.
We live in a 3 bedroom house on the outskirts of Alès, France (30 minutes by car from Nimes and 45 minutes from Avignon, and 1 hour from Montpellier). We offer a sofabed for 2 people in our guestroom/office. We have a wonderful terrace and a garden on 1200sq meters of property.
We are a married couple both in our mid-thrities with a friendly 4 year old little girl. We have 1 cat. Husband is French, wife is from the US. Husband smokes only in the garage and outside on the terrace.
Easy train access to Alès from Nimes. We will be happy to pick you up from the Alès train station, just 10 minutes by car from our home.
You are welcome to do a load of laundry.
You may use our internet ASDL telephone to make free phone calls to certain countries of the world, please check with us first.
Places to visit : Alès downtown, Montpellier, Anduze, Nimes, Uzès, Pont du Gard, the Cevennes mountains.
Possibility to show couchsurfers around, depending on our schedules and availability.
Blankets and sheets available, we are a fairly quiet family.
4 nights max. please. Friends (32)
Christophe CHARLOT 35, Male Ners, Languedoc-Roussillon France Friends since January 2002 "We worked together in the same company !" Friendship Type: Friend
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Tiffaney Derreumaux 37, Several people Valreas, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur France Friends since November 2007 "I met Tanya through couchsurfing." Friendship Type: Friend
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TjustT+Z 47, Several people Banja Luka, Srpska Republic Bosnia and Herzegovina Friends since April 2008 "Tanya, Fred and Yelena hosted me for 4 night. Great company, great food, great everything! " Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend I vouched for Tanya and Fred Signès
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Judy-fay Ferron 25, Female Louiseville, Quebec Canada Friends since February 2008 "I spend 3 days at their home" Friendship Type: Good Friend
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Adam Klimont 20, Several people Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Poland Friends since February 2008 "They hosted me for one night" Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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Brigitte Faure 51, Several people Montreal, Rhone-Alpes France Friends since September 2008 "J'ai rencontré Tanya et Fred lors d'une rencontre CS qu'ils avaient organisé. Ce sont des personnes accueillantes et charmantes" Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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Jaime Hardgrove 30, Female Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon Mexico Friends since August 2008 "I couchsurfed at Tanya and Fred's home in France." Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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Jasmine Murray 25, Several people Adelaide, South Australia Australia Friends since July 2009 "Surfed their couch in France" Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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Rhea Atwood 60, Female Paris, Ile-de-France France Friends since May 2008 "Tanya and Fred hosted me for 3 nights" Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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Pavla and Petr Zoufalý 24, Several people Usti nad Labem, Usti nad Labem Czech Republic Friends since August 2008 "They hosted us in France" Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
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Personal DescriptionWe are a very cool married couple. Fred, the husband is French, and Tanya, the wife, was born and raised in California. Her parents are from Switzerland, and she has lived and worked a bit in Switzerland before settling down in France. Yelena, their 4 year-old daughter is bi-lingual English-French.
Tanya: When she was back in the States, she used to work for a translation company and taught French at the University of Oregon. She can offer quick French lessons to foreigners (time permitting) and insights into understanding the French and this country.
Now she works part-time for a small publishing company, and teaches Engish at the eingeering school in Alès. She loves spending time with Yelena, fixing up the house, and Coushsurfing!
Fred: is a stay-at-home Dad and ceramics artist. He loves puttering in his "garage", his collection of figurines, comics (as in Hugo Pratt and Hergé), a good beer, and he's a huge WWII buff. He enjoys chatting with Couchsurfers, although he can chat much better in French. His chats in English will be a bit broken, but he's very charming that way.
Yelena: is 4 years old and goes to the local pre-school. She loves her Barbies, her cat and princesses.
 Create your own visitor map!
How I Participate in CSWe love to host CSers from all over the world. For the short time that you stay with us, we'd like to get to know you a little better, and to be a part of our family. Our daughter is very friendly, she might ask CSers to play with her or to read stories to her. We love to share meals with our CSer and to help them discover Alès and the surrounding areas.
I moderate the CS group Alès.
I'm involved in the French translation of the Couchsurfing site.CouchSurfing ExperienceHosted:
Brandy from CA - Sept. 07
Jill from CA - Sept. 07
Christine from CA - Oct. 07
Daniel from NZ and Katie from NJ - Nov. 07
Derreumaux family from France (dinner) - Nov. 07
Euna from So Korea - Jan. 08
Adam from Poland - Feb. 08
Judy-Fay and JF from Québec - March 08
T from CA - April 08
Rhea from CA - May 08
Lieke, Peter + Kids from Belgium (dinner) - Aug. 08
Jamie from WI - Aug. 08
Petr, Pavla + Friends from Czech Rep. - Oct. 08
Andrew from WA - Oct. 08
Catherine from CA - Oct. 08
Robin and Camille from LA - Nov. 08
Dan from NZ and Noa from Isreal - Dec. 08
Masako and Scott from Japan - Feb. 09
Kris from Australia - Feb. 09
Letizia from France - May 09
Miro and Vero from Slovakia - May 09
Jasmine and Aaron from Australia - July 09
Magda and Natalia from Poloand - July 09
Solveig from Denmark - Oct. 09
Nancy and Gary from WA - Oct. 09
Corinne and Brenden from Wash. DC - Oct. 09
Surfed:
Lieke, Peter, and Kids in Belgium - June 09
Meetings:
Alès CSers 1st meeting - Pizza Dinner - Sept. 08
Alès CSers - Pot Luck - To Be Announced, hopefully January 2010
InterestsFencing at the fencing club in Alès, art : painting, ceramics (we have our own kiln and we create decorative tiles). Fred loves a good Role Playing game (D and D, Mage, Cthulu...)
Together we spend our time with our daughter and dinners and evening chats with our friends. Music, Movies, BooksJon Spencer, Gotan Project, Gypsy Kings, and various movie sound tracks.Teach, Learn, ShareTanya can help you out with French grammar.
Fred can teach you ceramics, figurine painting, role playing games.
We're always learning new things, teach or share with us anything you can. Locations TraveledTRAVELED: Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain LIVED: Switzerland, United States References
From Nancy Snyder Olympia, United States Nov 2 Positive Tanya, Fred, and Yelena were fantastic hosts. They really know how to welcome and engage visitors. We had interesting conversations and homey family meals. Yelena was delightful--very spirited and lively. Fred's parents also welcomed us into their home. We hope that we will see them all again--in France or in the US!
Nancy and Gary
From Solveig Gustafsson Silkeborg, Denmark Oct 22 Positive It was such a nice experince to meet this familiy in Alès. They were very patient with my french, and they were very relaxed about having couchsurfers around which made me feel very comfortable.
It was interesting to meet a bilingual family in France, they had some good ideas for my daytrips, and I learned something about "l'escrime" (now I don't remember the english word for it).
From Natalia Pompa Wroclaw, Poland Sep 9 Positive We were really lucky because Tanya check email few minutes after we send last minute request. We spend very nice time with Tanya and her family. She prepared delicious american food wich we could eat in the garden. Thank you for help and time you spend with us :)
From MAZJA Wroclaw, Poland Jul 31 Positive Tanya and Fred helped us in Ales. It was last minute request, so they saved us:) Tanya prepare for us dinner and we spend great time with her family. Fred showed us his works and I was playing with their daughter Yelena. She is really great:) Thanks for picture:)
From Jasmine Murray Adelaide, Australia Jul 7 Positive Tanya and Fred were really helpful and very enthusiastic about our experience in France. They were both a great chat and helped me with my appalling French.We learnt a few interesting things, went to the pool and also got to see Uzes. Alot for such a short visit!
From Letizia Placchino Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France Jun 5 Positive Tanya et fred m'ont hébergés durant un circuit de vélo dans la région. J'ai été très bien reçu. Je ne suis restée qu'une nuit, mais je reviendrai si l'occasion se présente.
From Miro Lanik Bratislava, Slovakia Jun 4 Positive it was frist time we mad someone who do a fence and it seems also lot of else / artwork .. / very nice and interesting. Fred and Tanya are always ready to help and if you would like to cheer Yellena, she loves "milk for babes" / all kind of animated cartoons and specialy "Krtek" she can watchs all day long.
From Scott Graham Kamoaosa, Japan Feb 10 Positive Although we did not get to spend a lot of time with Tanya due to her heavy work schedule, Fred's parents were kind enough to show us the area and let us stay in their very comfortable guest suite. Scott enjoyed spending some wonderful time communicating with Fred as well.
From MOONBEAM753 Birmingham, United States Jan 30 Positive fred and tanya opened their home to myself and my daughter when we arrived in ales france. they and their daughter are old hands at welcoming strangers. we had a delightful stay.
From Dan Bowden Hamilton, New Zealand Dec 16, 2008 Positive We had the chance to meet and stay with Tanya, Fred and Yelena in Ales. Although the weather wasn't great, we had a really good time there. Tanya gave us information on what to see and do, and also took us to great places to hitchhike from. She is very enthusiastic about Couchsurfing, and it was nice to exchange experiences.
From Noa Schechter Jerusalem, Israel Dec 16, 2008 Positive Tanya Fred and Yelena were very kind to host us for 2 night. They are nice easy going people and they made us feel welcome. Yelena is a sweet angel and I had a lovely time playing with her:)
From Brigitte Faure Montreal, France Oct 18, 2008 Positive Ce sera avec grand plaisir que je vous rencontrerai de nouveau. Merci pour votre accueil et vos précieux conseils
From Isabelle Zoromi Saint-Christol-les-Ales, France Oct 16, 2008 Positive Tania et Fred ont organisé un meeting chez eux, je connaissais déjà Tania par mon travail mais ne savais pas que cela se déroulais chez elle. Nous étions surprise toutes les deux !
From Andrew Williams Steilacoom, United States Oct 13, 2008 Positive Tonya is well versed in the beautiful city of Alès and has great ideas on places to go around the vacinity. Genohlac is amazing! Fred is an exceptional artist, and it was my pleasure to look upon his works in their household. And! To top it off, they have this adorable 3 year old. When you throw in a traditional raclette meal, how could you even ask for more?
From MARYANNICK Ales, France Sep 20, 2008 Positive I met Tanya for a second time at their house with her husband Fred for a couchsurfing gathering. Thanks to both of them.
From Pavla and Petr Zoufalý Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic Aug 31, 2008 Positive Tanya, Fred and Yelena were wonderful hosts. They offered us an icecream and helped us out on our crazy trip in south of France. We spent very nice evening by talking.. unfortunately only one evening. anyway, thanks a lot
From Jaime Hardgrove Santa Catarina, Mexico Aug 26, 2008 Positive I am very happy to have met Tanya, Fred, and little Yelena. They are a great family and great hosts. My stay with them was too short...I hope to return soon!
From Lieke, Peter and kids Dendermonde, Belgium Aug 21, 2008 Positive Yes, they exist : Americans that speak fluently French, without accent. Tanya!
Enthousiastic, honest, chearful, willing to help, learn and share everything about CS and other stuff. That's what Tanya and Fred are all about.
It was so great to spend some time together on our trip in France. And the children played so well together, wonderfull Bearfamily you have there ;-)
Hope to meet you in the amb-group someday...
From Rhea Atwood Paris, France Jun 5, 2008 Positive Tanya and Fred are very thoughtful and interesting hosts. And their two-year old is cute. Tanya drove me to help me interview someone, they included me in Sunday dinner with Fred's parents, and Fred's mother took me to see the exhibition of Fred's amazing ceramic art. All windows opening, not otherwise avaible for me.
From TjustT+Z Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Apr 29, 2008 Positive Tanya and Fred are great, open people and gracious hosts. I loved talking with them and hanging out with their extended family for Fred's birthday party. As for Yelena, you simply can't find anyone better to run up and down and up and down and up and down the driveway with than her.
From Judy-fay Ferron Louiseville, Canada Mar 17, 2008 Positive Tanya and Fred open their house to us; I was great to discuss with them because they are also curious about our culture. I appreciate that take time to talk to me about Cevennes...and give me good Perlardon cheese ;)
Judy Fay
From Jean-François Veilleux Saguenay, Canada Mar 5, 2008 Positive Tanya and Fred make a really cool couple and their lovely daughter was just so cute! I loved Ales!
From Euna Cho Busan, South Korea Feb 23, 2008 Positive Tanya, Fred and Yelena were really kind and lovely family. I could feel so warm and comfortable in their house. I hope to see them again!
From Adam Klimont Wroclaw, Poland Feb 9, 2008 Positive Tanya, Fred and Yelena are a very nice family! They were really friendly and helpful to me. I wish I had more time to stay with them but I hope we will meet again!
From Tiffaney Derreumaux Valreas, France Dec 22, 2007 Positive My family and I had dinner with the Signes's at their home. They are a great family. I hope we get to see them again when we are in the area or that they will come to see us.
From Katie Meyler Bernardsville, United States Nov 10, 2007 Positive Tanya and her family were very warm people. She invited us to join her for a traditonal french holiday meal, which was a first experience for me! We had great conversations and a relaxing and rejuvenating time at her house. I appreciated her and her husbands taste for art! They have a small daughter that I got to play with a bit as well ;)
From Daniel Winter Nelson, New Zealand Nov 4, 2007 Positive Absolutely wonderful experience, I am so grateful I had the chance to stay with a local family.
From Christine Birch Richmond, United States Nov 1, 2007 Positive Tanya and Fred are friendly, hospitable people who have a beautiful little girl. I really enjoyed staying with them and was privileged to meet some of the family. I very much hope to see them again.
From Jillian Browy Santa Cruz, United States Sep 19, 2007 Positive Tanya and Fred are amazing hosts and parents! They showed me numerous museums, helped me find sights in Nimes, and even helped me find train times in French. Extremely positive people with a wonderful view of life. And if they ever come out to Monterey I will be sure to show them the *locals only* way into Pebble Beach!
From Brandy Worden San Francisco, United States Sep 17, 2007 Positive Tanya and Fred are extremely kind and their daughter is an absolute darling. There isnt a night life in this region, but there are some cool Roman Ruins nearby. I think this stay would be ideal for someone trying to work on their French, they are all so patient and kind. You essentially get your own room and the food is fantastic!
From Christophe CHARLOT Ners, France Aug 20, 2007 Positive I met Tanya 5 years ago... Time flies !! We worked together in the same company in Alès. She's a very nice and courageous girl... The only problem is that there will be no more couchsurfers in my place... Cause her house is much nicer than mine !!! See ya ! |