Volunteer tourism in rural France: Examining power dynamics, labour practices, and community interactions

In recent decades, rural château communities in France have grown in popularity among both volunteers and foreign château owners, resulting in shifts in power dynamics within these communities. This study examines the reciprocal nature of the host-volunteer relationship, the potential economic impact of the arrival of volunteers on the local community, and the effect of Covid-19 on this dynamic. Twelve interviews were conducted with château owners (hosts), local residents, and volunteer workers between September and December 2022. The results indicate that residents tend to negatively perceive hosts, as their use of volunteer workers impacts the local labour market; the power-dynamic favours hosts and the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions enforced their hold on volunteer workers.