The right way to Turn into a Home-sitter in France

On this article, I’ll be outlining the perfect methods to turn out to be a house-sitter in France. Alongside my husband, Rob, I’ve been touring the world repeatedly for 2 years. I commonly use home and pet-sitting websites to reinforce our experiences and hold our lodging prices down.

There are a number of glorious web sites accessible for home and pet-sitting. Realizing the perfect ones and the way to use them effectively will provide help to safe house-sitting jobs in France and the remainder of the world. I’ll be outlining all my experiences, good and unhealthy, on this article.

I’ve accomplished over thirty housesits; starting from taking care of a small ranch in Tucson, Arizona, to caring for beach-loving canine in Santa Theresa, Costa Rica. I house-sat and pet-sat three completely different occasions in France over 2 and a half months. This included taking care of 2 lovable canine, 2 cute cats, and a menagerie of birds, simply exterior of Toulouse, France.

Since I began home and pet-sitting, I’ve not solely acquired free lodging worldwide, however I’ve discovered loads and have some good tricks to go on. Home sitting is a good way to satisfy new folks and uncover completely different components of a rustic that you just may not in any other case get to see. Let’s get began.

The right way to Turn into a Home Sitter in France

There are a number of nice web sites accessible for any burgeoning home and pet sitters. Discovering the fitting one for you is the primary vital step to take. Totally different websites have completely different professionals and cons, so learn on to seek out out extra.

1. Trusted Housesitters

Trustedhousesitters.com is my go-to web site and the one I’ve used greater than every other. Their app and website-based platforms are simple to make use of and there’s at all times a ton of listings accessible. I simply checked, and at the moment, there are 6,530 listings accepting functions for housesits around the globe…a lot of that are luxurious home sitting gigs.

My favourite side of Trusted Housesitters is the flexibility to save lots of your searches. For instance, once I was searching for choices in France, I set my dates, my location (nation or metropolis/space), and different search standards. In case you don’t get any hits instantly, it can save you a search and be alerted when one matches the invoice.

Primary yearly membership begins at $95 and permits for limitless functions and housesits. Greater-tier memberships embrace completely different advantages corresponding to insurance coverage, vet chats, premium customer support, and a search and alert operate. The highest membership is $190 a 12 months. Goats On The Highway readers obtain 20% off utilizing this hyperlink and promo code GOATS20.

2. Home Carers

Housecarers.com is an easy-to-use website-only home and pet-sitting web site. Though the variety of listings can’t compete with Trusted Housesitters, it’s a nice concept to maintain your choices open and to construct your profile. Most individuals itemizing their property solely use one web site, so the fitting posting for you can be ready on one other platform.

Housecarers.com doesn’t but have an app facility, so it’s important to head to the webpage to maintain up to the mark. Members obtain e-mail notifications and alerts for potential housesits and when speaking with a bunch. The performance of the searches is nice and may be well-tailored to go well with numerous preferences, places, dates, pets, and so on.

Housecarers.com is an inexpensive introduction to the world of housesitting. They’ve a free membership that means that you can peruse all their listings in full. To use, you’ll have to turn out to be a fully-fledged paying member which at round $50/12 months is a good deal.

In case you’re pondering of turning into a house-sitter in France, Housecarers.com is likely to be a great place to begin to get a really feel of what a housesitting web site provides and the way it all works.

☞ SEE ALSO: The right way to Put together For Your Home and Pet Sitting Job

3. Workaway

Workaway.data is maybe higher often called a volunteer/cultural trade web site than it’s for housesitting, however it shouldn’t be ignored. I’ve used it to seek out placements everywhere in the world the place meals and lodging are exchanged for 4-5 hours of labor a day. Nevertheless, it has since turn out to be a worthwhile software of mine for home and pet sitting.

One among their most important search choices is house-sitting and at a fast look, there are over 500 listings looking for sitters around the globe, together with many individuals searching for a house-sitter in France. Their web site and app are simple to make use of, listings are at all times nicely offered with loads of particulars, and communication with hosts is often fairly environment friendly.

Membership prices round $50/12 months or $30pp/12 months when a pair indicators up with a joint membership. I’ve made some terrific connections, long-term mates, and world contacts through Workaway. I extremely advocate it as a string to your house-sitting bow. See Additionally:

4. Thoughts My Home

Mindmyhouse.com is among the longest-serving on-line platforms for house-sitting. It started in 2005 and has a terrific open ethos that advantages everybody concerned. They’re additionally one of many least expensive round at simply $29/12 months.

I really like Thoughts My Home for the close-knit really feel of the corporate. When you’ve got a problem, you’ll probably communicate on to one of many homeowners of the corporate. They play an lively position within the day-to-day. The ‘About Our Members’ part of their web site is a good function. It reveals what number of hosts and sitters are at the moment lively and the place they’re. Proper now, customers are at round 12,500 folks.

In my view, Thoughts My Home may simply be the fitting choice to get you began should you’re missing just a little confidence in embarking on your home and pet-sitting profession in France.

5. Nomador

Nomador.com is a good web site should you’re seeking to turn out to be a pet sitter or home sitter in France. Though they do have listings around the globe, there are a ton in Europe. Their web site is similar to Trusted Housesitters, priced equally, and equally as simple to make use of.

An incredible membership possibility with Nomador is their 3-month short-term fundamental package deal. It permits new customers to dip their toes in and see if the housesitting sport is for them. Added advantages corresponding to insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include larger membership costs. The highest-end package deal is round $190/12 months.

Regardless of not having an app, Nomador is a good possibility for newcomers to accommodate and pet sitting. See Additionally: Inquiries to Ask a Dwelling and Pet Proprietor Earlier than Accepting a Job

Private Expertise Housesitting in France

My husband and I pet-sat in France for simply over two months. It was wonderful! Even in mid-November, it’s heat sufficient to drink a beer exterior within the south of the nation. Whether or not you’re in a small city out within the countryside or one of many huge cities, it’s such a wonderful vacation spot with one thing for everybody.

Home-sits in France usually embrace a pet, or pets, to take care of. In rural areas, a component of gardening and watering often comes into the equation too. Simply housesitting listings (no pets) do come up, however for essentially the most half, a pet or pets are sometimes at all times a part of the discount. Every time I’ve been a house-sitter in France, the hosts have included a automobile too (extra on this later).

I sorted 2 stunning principally out of doors cats in Bergerac, the place my greatest process was sustaining the swimming pool! Then I moved additional north to Limoges and took care of a pleasant little Jack Russel terrier known as Alfie. My closing cease was simply exterior Toulouse, within the tiny however beautiful village of Cologne – 2 cats, 2 canine, and let me rely… 23 birds!

☞ SEE ALSO: 15 Professionals and Cons of Home and Pet Sitting

Finest Areas to Home Sit in France

As I’m initially from the UK, I’ve visited France many occasions previously. There are many nice areas to go to from small cities within the countryside to large cities. Listed below are a number of of my prime locations to contemplate house-sitting in France:

1. Paris

Probably the most iconic, and maybe the obvious, place to get pleasure from house-sitting in France is the French capital, Paris. It’s a very great metropolis filled with artwork and tradition that bubbles with life and ambiance — there are countless issues to see and do in Paris. World-class eating places, cool bars, and cafes that set the usual for espresso tradition worldwide are round each nook.

Home-sitting in a giant metropolis like Paris will imply extra of an city setting and the expertise will likely be akin to a metropolis break reasonably than a rural retreat. Smaller metropolis homes and flats appear to dominate lots of the listings I see on the housesitting websites for Paris. This after all comes with the additional benefit of getting on a regular basis facilities in your doorstep.

I haven’t but been to Paris for a housesit, however have visited many occasions for brief weekend breaks. It could be an incredible place to base your self as a house-sitter in France.

Location: Paris is positioned in direction of the North of France, round 2.5 hours from the coast and three hours from neighboring Belgium. Discover it right here.

2. Bergerac

My first expertise as a house-sitter in France was really in Bergerac and it’s the right place to kick issues off. The gorgeous and historic city dates again to the Center Ages and has many well-preserved medieval buildings. It sits on the gorgeous Dordogne River and is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers.

An incredible profit to house-sitting in Bergerac is that lots of people communicate English. That is because of the quantity of British vacationers and expats that reside within the area. I ordered a spherical of drinks in my finest unhealthy French, and the waitress responded in a thick London accent, “We could speak in English as a substitute?”.

There are a great deal of cute cities located close by corresponding to Pereguex and Riberac, and Bordeaux is simply over an hour away. Good transport hyperlinks make getting out and about simple. It’s often fairly low-cost too. I used BlaBlaCar a number of occasions, which is a good ride-sharing app unique to Europe and really low-cost.

Location: Bergerac is positioned in direction of the southeast of France, round an hour east of Bordeaux and 6 hours south of Paris. Discover it right here on the map.

3. Toulouse

I house-sat and pet-sat simply exterior Toulouse for a few month. My location was fairly a small city simply exterior of town however it was very easy to get to central Toulouse. Fortunately, the hosts left their automobile behind to be used throughout our keep. There’s an categorical practice into Toulouse that I traveled on loads, which at sure occasions of the day prices round $1.

Toulouse is named ‘The Pink Metropolis’. That is because of the variety of terracotta brick buildings that give it a heat and rosy glow. The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, runs by way of Toulouse, with many nice spots for leisurely strolls, boat rides, or just stress-free.

Toulouse has a bustling vibe, with vigorous markets, cafes, and a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene. A visit to the Convent des Jacobins is an incredible expertise. Drinks beside the Garonne River and Pont Neuf are additionally a should. Home-sitting on this area could be very best for anybody looking for quiet retreats on the outskirts, barely exterior of a extra fast-paced metropolis expertise.

Location: Toulouse is positioned within the southern a part of France, round 105 miles (170 km) from the border of Andorra and 155 miles (250 km) from Spain. Paris is round 420 miles (678 km) to the north.

4. Montpellier

Montpellier was the primary metropolis I visited in France and it provides a novel expertise for anybody contemplating turning into a house-sitter in France. One among my favourite issues about being a brief native isn’t just visiting however actually residing someplace. Think about waking up in a centuries-old residence with slim medieval streets simply exterior your step – that’s Montpellier!

An incredible perk of housesitting in Montpellier is indulging within the many culinary treats. Contemporary produce is bought every day at native markets and there are a number of excellent eating places and cafes everywhere in the metropolis. Montpellier can also be recognized for its vigorous ambiance due partly to it being residence to considered one of Europe’s oldest universities.

Past town, housesitting within the Montpellier space may even embrace seaside stays alongside the Mediterranean coast or extra rural properties surrounded by the pure great thing about the area. Situating your self right here would provide the freedom to discover the seashores, spend time in nature, and embrace a vibrant metropolis as a house-sitter in France.

Location: Montpellier is positioned on the Mediterranean coast within the south of France. It’s round 2.5 hours east of Toulouse, 3.5 hours west of Good, and 280 miles (450 km) to the Italian border. Click on right here to seek out Montpellier on the map.

5. Limoges

Limoges was a brand new metropolis for me. I knew it was a fairly centrally positioned, huge metropolis, with a college, and that it had good direct practice hyperlinks to my subsequent already-confirmed placement in Toulouse.

I’m glad I opted to go to Limoges. It’s a metropolis steeped in historical past and it exudes an old-world attraction, with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered homes. Though my house-sit was a reasonably fashionable condo, house-sitting alternatives right here could possibly be for centuries-old properties. What an expertise that will be!

There are some nice museums, an impressive cathedral, and a few fascinating historic websites that may delight fellow historical past buffs like me. As a college city, there are many cool bars and nice locations to eat to go well with each funds, and there’s at all times tons occurring. My husband and I spent his birthday in Limoges and it was an important day of meals, drink, and cultural sightseeing.

Location: Limoges is positioned pretty centrally in France, edging in direction of the south. It’s round 4 hours south of Paris and three hours north of Toulouse. Discover it right here on the map.

Is France Secure?

I discovered France to be a secure place to go to, and it’s thought of a secure vacation spot for vacationers. Like several nation, it’s vital to stay vigilant, particularly in crowded vacationer areas the place petty theft can happen. Train frequent sense, corresponding to keeping track of private belongings and staying conscious of your environment.

French authorities take safety severely, and main vacationer websites are sometimes well-monitored. As a house-sitter in France, do your finest to remain knowledgeable about any advisory warnings, and in case of any emergency, dial 112 the European emergency quantity. Having an insurance coverage coverage to cowl issues corresponding to private harm, lack of belongings, and theft is at all times extremely advisable.

If it’s your first time as a house-sitter in France and you intend to drive, it’s at all times a good suggestion to familiarize your self with native driving laws forward of time. Don’t study issues the onerous means, particularly should you’re renting a automobile or utilizing the homeowners’ car. Even skilled drivers will profit from a fast read-through of one other nation’s driving customs.

Professionals and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in France

There are professionals and cons to staying wherever. Listed below are a number of of the important thing factors which have cropped up throughout my time as a house-sitter in France:

Professionals of Dwelling in France

• High quality of Life: France constantly ranks excessive for high quality of life. It has a powerful healthcare system, glorious public providers, and a great deal with work-life steadiness.
• Culinary Paradise: Famend for its gastronomy, France has a various and beautiful tradition with meals that’s deeply ingrained in its tradition and historical past. As a house-sitter in France, you’ll be spoilt for selection!
• Public Transportation: Environment friendly and in depth public transportation networks make commuting and journey inside France handy and eco-friendly.
• Cultural Richness: France’s wealthy artwork, literature, and structure historical past is unparalleled.
• Scenic Landscapes: From the picturesque countryside to the gorgeous Mediterranean coast, France is residence to many breathtaking landscapes.
• Unbelievable Wine: France is well-known for making a few of the finest wine on this planet. Good bottles of wine can be found in supermarkets for as little as $2.

Cons of Dwelling in France

• Paperwork: France is thought for bureaucratic processes that may typically be complicated and time-consuming.
• Language Barrier: The language barrier may be difficult for a house-sitter in France who isn’t fluent in French. Although many French folks communicate English, many additionally don’t.
• Strikes and Protests: France has a historical past of strikes and protests, which might often disrupt public providers and transportation.
• Value of Dwelling: The price of residing in sure areas, particularly in main cities like Paris, may be comparatively excessive in comparison with different nations.
• Climate Variability: Whereas France usually has a nice local weather, climate circumstances can fluctuate, and a few areas expertise excessive temperatures and climate occasions.
• Critically Rural Areas: In case you like having facilities in your doorstep 24/7, a few of France’s extra rural areas might not be for you as they lack on a regular basis conveniences. Many small cities and villages require a drive into greater cities for providers.
• Weekend Hunters: Searching with weapons or packs of canine is a well-liked pastime in lots of areas of France particularly on weekends. In case you’re pet-sitting or planning to turn out to be a house-sitter in France take additional precautions and search recommendation out of your hosts about the place to go and when.

Suggestions for Home Sitting in France

With a lot to contemplate earlier than taking up an inventory, I’ve put collectively a number of of my prime suggestions for house-sitting in France:

• Know your location: France has some very rural areas and housesits could also be means out within the countryside unsupported by public transportation. Be absolutely conscious of the precise space you’re heading to and the way simple it’s to get to grocery shops, cafes, and so on.
• Ask a few automobile: If the folks you’re housesitting for are leaving the nation they could be leaving their automobile behind. Most often, the insurance coverage in France covers anybody with a sound license to drive a correctly insured car – good for a house-sitter in France!
• Study the market schedule: Weekly markets are nonetheless a very talked-about factor in France, it’s how lots of locals get most of their produce. You’ll discover every part from garments and quick meals to recent and inexpensive groceries at a city market.
• Carry some money: Most locations, even the markets, settle for card funds however not all. In case you’re staying exterior of a giant metropolis discovering a cashpoint that doesn’t cost a hefty charge could be a actual ache. Seize an inexpensive money float when you possibly can.
• Put together for spotty WiFi: Most hosts will likely be clear and upfront concerning the WiFi scenario. We’ve had a number of connection points in rural France so I like to recommend having a pay-as-you-go SIM for knowledge as a backup.
• Plan your procuring: Many supermarkets, even the actually huge ones will shut round midday on Sundays. So plan your procuring accordingly.
• Put together to make fires: I discovered that many rural homes in France had been heated nearly solely by a hearth. Hosts ought to at all times go away you ample provides of wooden and present you the way to function them, however constructing good fires is a necessity out within the French countryside.

Home Sitting in France: FAQs

Listed below are some solutions to essentially the most generally requested questions on house-sitting in France:

In Conclusion

I hope this text has helped with some concepts on the way to turn out to be a housesitter in France. It actually is an excellent nation and one which I really feel everybody ought to expertise in some unspecified time in the future of their lives.

Home and pet sitting gives an incredible alternative to journey extra cost-effectively. For me, it additionally heightens the expertise of each journey. I’ve made some lifelong mates alongside the way in which, with each the folks I’ve sat for and their mates and neighbors.

I rave about home and pet-sitting to anybody who will hear. It’s one thing that’s modified my life and has opened up so many home windows of alternative for journey that I by no means thought potential.

Good luck!