Find out how to Turn out to be a Home-sitter in France

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

There are a number of wonderful web sites out there for home and pet-sitting. Figuring out the perfect ones and how you can 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 canines in Santa Theresa, Costa Rica. I house-sat and pet-sat three completely different instances in France over 2 and a half months. This included taking care of 2 lovely canines, 2 cute cats, and a menagerie of birds, simply exterior of Toulouse, France.

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

Find out how to Turn out to be a Home Sitter in France

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

1. Trusted Housesitters

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

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

Fundamental yearly membership begins at $95 and permits for limitless functions and housesits. Larger-tier memberships embrace completely different advantages resembling insurance coverage, vet chats, premium customer support, and a search and alert operate. The highest membership is $190 a yr. Goats On The Street 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 thought to maintain your choices open and to construct your profile. Most individuals itemizing their property solely use one web site, so the suitable 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 could be well-tailored to go well with numerous preferences, places, dates, pets, and so forth.

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 must develop into a fully-fledged paying member which at round $50/yr is a superb deal.

If you happen to’re pondering of changing 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 gives and the way it all works.

☞ SEE ALSO: Find out how to Put together For Your Home and Pet Sitting Job

3. Workaway

Workaway.data is maybe higher referred to as a volunteer/cultural trade web site than it’s for housesitting, however it shouldn’t be neglected. I’ve used it to search 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 develop into a precious device of mine for home and pet sitting.

One in every of their major search choices is house-sitting and at a fast look, there are over 500 listings in search of sitters world wide, 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 properly introduced with loads of particulars, and communication with hosts is often fairly environment friendly.

Membership prices round $50/yr or $30pp/yr when a pair indicators up with a joint membership. I’ve made some terrific connections, long-term mates, and international 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 most cost-effective round at simply $29/yr.

I like Thoughts My Home for the close-knit really feel of the corporate. When you have a difficulty, you’ll seemingly converse on to one of many house owners of the corporate. They play an energetic position within the day-to-day. The ‘About Our Members’ part of their web site is a superb characteristic. It exhibits what number of hosts and sitters are at present energetic and the place they’re. Proper now, customers are at round 12,500 folks.

For my part, Thoughts My Home would possibly simply be the suitable choice to get you began in the event you’re missing just a little confidence in embarking on your own home and pet-sitting profession in France.

5. Nomador

Nomador.com is a superb web site in the event you’re trying to develop into a pet sitter or home sitter in France. Though they do have listings world wide, 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 amazing membership choice with Nomador is their 3-month short-term primary package deal. It permits new customers to dip their toes in and see if the housesitting sport is for them. Added advantages resembling insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include increased membership costs. The highest-end package deal is round $190/yr.

Regardless of not having an app, Nomador is a superb choice for newcomers to accommodate and pet sitting. See Additionally: Inquiries to Ask a Residence 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 superb! 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 lovely vacation spot with one thing for everybody.

Home-sits in France typically 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 automotive too (extra on this later).

I taken care of 2 lovely largely outside cats in Bergerac, the place my greatest activity was sustaining the swimming pool! Then I moved additional north to Limoges and took care of a pleasant little Jack Russel terrier referred to as Alfie. My last cease was simply exterior Toulouse, within the tiny however beautiful village of Cologne – 2 cats, 2 canines, and let me depend… 23 birds!

☞ SEE ALSO: 15 Execs 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 instances prior to now. There are many nice areas to go to from small cities within the countryside to very large cities. Listed here are a number of of my prime locations to think about house-sitting in France:

1. Paris

Essentially the most iconic, and maybe the obvious, place to take pleasure in 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 environment — 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 an enormous metropolis like Paris will imply extra of an city setting and the expertise will probably be akin to a metropolis break fairly 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 in fact 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 instances for quick weekend breaks. It could be a tremendous place to base your self as a house-sitter in France.

Location: Paris is positioned in the 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 truly in Bergerac and it’s the proper 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 standard vacation spot for vacationers.

An amazing profit to house-sitting in Bergerac is that lots of people converse English. That is as a result of quantity of British vacationers and expats that dwell within the area. I ordered a spherical of drinks in my greatest unhealthy French, and the waitress responded in a thick London accent, “We could discuss in English as an alternative?”.

There are a great deal of cute cities located close by resembling 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 instances, which is a superb ride-sharing app unique to Europe and really low-cost.

Location: Bergerac is positioned in the 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 couple of month. My location was fairly a small city simply exterior of the town however it was very easy to get to central Toulouse. Fortunately, the hosts left their automotive behind to be used throughout our keep. There’s an categorical prepare into Toulouse that I traveled on loads, which at sure instances of the day prices round $1.

Toulouse is named ‘The Pink Metropolis’. That is as a result of 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 energetic markets, cafes, and a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene. A visit to the Convent des Jacobins is a tremendous expertise. Drinks beside the Garonne River and Pont Neuf are additionally a should. Home-sitting on this area could be excellent for anybody in search of 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 gives a singular expertise for anybody contemplating changing into a house-sitter in France. One in every of my favourite issues about being a short lived native is not only 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 amazing perk of housesitting in Montpellier is indulging within the many culinary treats. Contemporary produce is bought each day at native markets and there are a number of excellent eating places and cafes everywhere in the metropolis. Montpellier can be identified for its energetic environment due partly to it being residence to one among Europe’s oldest universities.

Past the town, housesitting within the Montpellier space may even embrace seaside stays alongside the Mediterranean coast or extra rural properties surrounded by the pure fantastic 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 search 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 prepare 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 might be for centuries-old properties. What an expertise that might be!

There are some nice museums, a powerful cathedral, and a few fascinating historic websites that can 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 heaps 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 the 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 protected place to go to, and it’s thought-about a protected vacation spot for vacationers. Like several nation, it’s essential to stay vigilant, particularly in crowded vacationer areas the place petty theft can happen. Train widespread sense, resembling maintaining a tally of private belongings and staying conscious of your environment.

French authorities take safety critically, and main vacationer websites are sometimes well-monitored. As a house-sitter in France, do your greatest 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 resembling 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 rules forward of time. Don’t study issues the onerous method, particularly in the event you’re renting a automotive or utilizing the house owners’ car. Even skilled drivers will profit from a fast read-through of one other nation’s driving customs.

Execs and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in France

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

Execs of Residing in France

• High quality of Life: France constantly ranks excessive for high quality of life. It has a powerful healthcare system, wonderful public companies, and a great deal with work-life stability.
• 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 alternative!
• 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 number of the greatest wine on this planet. Good bottles of wine can be found in supermarkets for as little as $2.

Cons of Residing in France

• Paperwork: France is understood for bureaucratic processes that may usually be complicated and time-consuming.
• Language Barrier: The language barrier could be difficult for a house-sitter in France who isn’t fluent in French. Although many French folks converse English, many additionally don’t.
• Strikes and Protests: France has a historical past of strikes and protests, which may sometimes disrupt public companies and transportation.
• Value of Residing: The price of residing in sure areas, particularly in main cities like Paris, could be comparatively excessive in comparison with different nations.
• Climate Variability: Whereas France typically has a pleasing local weather, climate circumstances can differ, and a few areas expertise excessive temperatures and climate occasions.
• Severely Rural Areas: If you happen to like having facilities in your doorstep 24/7, a few of France’s extra rural areas will not be for you as they lack on a regular basis conveniences. Many small cities and villages require a drive into greater cities for companies.
• Weekend Hunters: Looking with weapons or packs of canines is a well-liked pastime in lots of areas of France particularly on weekends. If you happen to’re pet-sitting or planning to develop into a house-sitter in France take further 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 think about 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 method out within the countryside unsupported by public transportation. Be totally conscious of the precise space you’re heading to and the way simple it’s to get to grocery shops, cafes, and so forth.
• Ask a couple of automotive: If the folks you’re housesitting for are leaving the nation they could be leaving their automotive behind. Usually, the insurance coverage in France covers anybody with a legitimate license to drive a correctly insured car – good for a house-sitter in France!
• Be taught the market schedule: Weekly markets are nonetheless a very talked-about factor in France, it’s how numerous 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. If you happen to’re staying exterior of an enormous metropolis discovering a cashpoint that doesn’t cost a hefty price is usually a actual ache. Seize an affordable money float when you possibly can.
• Put together for spotty WiFi: Most hosts will probably be clear and upfront in regards to 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 purchasing: Many supermarkets, even the actually huge ones will shut round midday on Sundays. So plan your purchasing accordingly.
• Put together to make fires: I discovered that many rural homes in France had been heated virtually solely by a fire. Hosts ought to at all times depart you ample provides of wooden and present you how you can function them, however constructing good fires is a necessity out within the French countryside.

Home Sitting in France: FAQs

Listed here 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 how you can develop into 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 offers a tremendous 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 pay attention. 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!