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


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

There are a number of glorious web sites out there for home and pet-sitting. Realizing the most effective ones and find out how to use them effectively will enable you 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 totally 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 realized quite a bit and have some good tricks to go on. Home sitting is an effective way to fulfill new folks and uncover totally different components of a rustic that you simply won’t in any other case get to see. Let’s get began.

The right way to Develop into 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 vital step to take. Completely different websites have totally different execs 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 some other. 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 presently, there are 6,530 listings accepting functions for housesits world wide…a lot of that are luxurious home sitting gigs.

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

Primary yearly membership begins at $95 and permits for limitless functions and housesits. Increased-tier memberships embrace totally 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

house keys how to become a house sitter in france

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 suitable posting for you might be ready on one other platform.

Housecarers.com doesn’t but have an app facility, so you need 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 swimsuit varied preferences, places, dates, pets, and so forth.

Housecarers.com is an reasonably priced 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 grow to be a fully-fledged paying member which at round $50/yr is a good deal.

When you’re pondering of changing into a house-sitter in France, Housecarers.com is perhaps a superb place to begin to get a really feel of what a housesitting web site presents and the way it all works.

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

3. Workaway

Couple cleaning house, doing house work

Workaway.data is probably higher often called a volunteer/cultural change web site than it’s for housesitting, but it surely shouldn’t be ignored. I’ve used it to search out placements all around the world the place meals and lodging are exchanged for 4-5 hours of labor a day. Nevertheless, it has since grow to be a invaluable device of mine for home and pet sitting.

One in every of their important 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 in search of a house-sitter in France. Their web site and app are simple to make use of, listings are at all times effectively introduced with loads of particulars, and communication with hosts is normally 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 associates, and international contacts by way of Workaway. I extremely suggest it as a string to your house-sitting bow. See Additionally:

4. Thoughts My Home

Pet sitter and dogs are ready for walk

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 problem, you’ll seemingly 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 exhibits what number of hosts and sitters are presently lively and the place they’re. Proper now, customers are at round 12,500 folks.

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

5. Nomador

A woman sitter with a cat and a dog beside the window.

Nomador.com is a good web site in the event you’re trying to grow to be 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 excellent 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 recreation is for them. Added advantages resembling insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include larger membership costs. The highest-end package deal is round $190/yr.

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

Private Expertise Housesitting in France

Houses on the side of the road and green trees.

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 massive cities, it’s such a phenomenal vacation spot with one thing for everybody.

Given the variety of out there alternatives to be a pet sitter or home sitter in France, I didn’t wrestle to search out nice sits in some gorgeous places. A countryside yoga retreat, full with a health studio and a pool in all probability tops the listing – an actual ‘pinch me’ second.

Home-sits in France typically embrace a pet, or pets, to take care of. In rural areas, a component of gardening and watering normally comes into the equation too. Simply housesitting listings (no pets) do come up, however for probably the most half, a pet or pets are usually 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 taken care of 2 stunning principally out of doors cats in Bergerac, the place my largest 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 ultimate cease was simply exterior Toulouse, within the tiny however pretty village of Cologne – 2 cats, 2 canine, and let me rely… 23 birds!

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

Greatest Areas to Home Sit in France

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

1. Paris

house sitting 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 fantastic metropolis stuffed with artwork and tradition that bubbles with life and ambiance — there are limitless 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 moderately 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 quick weekend breaks. It could be a tremendous place to base your self as a house-sitter in France.

Location: Paris is situated 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

Bergerac house sitting

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 fashionable vacation spot for vacationers.

An excellent profit to house-sitting in Bergerac is that lots of people communicate English. That is as a result of 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, “Lets 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 normally 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 situated 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

Toulouse house sitting

I house-sat and pet-sat simply exterior Toulouse for a few month. My location was fairly a small city simply exterior of the town but it surely was very easy to get to central Toulouse. Fortunately, the hosts left their automobile behind to be used throughout our keep. There’s an specific prepare into Toulouse that I traveled on quite a bit, which at sure occasions 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 Toulouse, with many nice spots for leisurely strolls, boat rides, or just enjoyable.

Toulouse has a bustling vibe, with full of life 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 can be very best for anybody in search of quiet retreats on the outskirts, barely exterior of a extra fast-paced metropolis expertise.

Location: Toulouse is situated 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

Aerial cityscape view on the old town with cathedral in Montpellier city during the sunny weather in Occitanie region if France.

Montpellier was the primary metropolis I visited in France and it presents 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 isn’t just visiting however really residing someplace. Think about waking up in a centuries-old dwelling with slim medieval streets simply exterior your step – that’s Montpellier!

An excellent perk of housesitting in Montpellier is indulging within the many culinary treats. Recent produce is offered day by day at native markets and there are a number of excellent eating places and cafes all around the metropolis. Montpellier can be identified for its full of life ambiance due partially to it being dwelling to one among Europe’s oldest universities.

Past the town, housesitting within the Montpellier space might even embrace seashore 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 situated 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, FRANCE - May 8, 2018: Main railway station of Limoges in Limoges, France'nCathedral in Limoges, France

Limoges was a brand new metropolis for me. I knew it was a fairly centrally situated, massive 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 allure, with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered homes. Though my house-sit was a reasonably trendy condominium, house-sitting alternatives right here could possibly be for centuries-old properties. What an expertise that may be!

There are some nice museums, a powerful 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 swimsuit each price range, and there’s at all times heaps happening. My husband and I spent his birthday in Limoges and it was an ideal day of meals, drink, and cultural sightseeing.

Location: Limoges is situated 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 Protected?

Travel safely concept. Essential travel accessories: passports, medical masks.

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

French authorities take safety significantly, 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 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 arduous approach, particularly in the event you’re renting a automobile or utilizing the homeowners’ automobile. 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

Man is writing list of pros and cons.

There are execs 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 Dwelling in France

  • High quality of Life: France persistently ranks excessive for high quality of life. It has a robust healthcare system, glorious public providers, and a superb give attention to 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 dwelling to many breathtaking landscapes.
  • Unbelievable Wine: France is well-known for making a number of the finest wine on the planet. Good bottles of wine can be found in supermarkets for as little as $2.

Cons of Dwelling in France

  • Forms: France is understood for bureaucratic processes that may usually be advanced 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.
  • Price of Dwelling: The price of residing in sure areas, particularly in main cities like Paris, may be comparatively excessive in comparison with different international locations.
  • Climate Variability: Whereas France typically has a nice local weather, climate circumstances can fluctuate, and a few areas expertise excessive temperatures and climate occasions.
  • Severely Rural Areas: When 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: Looking with weapons or packs of canine is a well-liked pastime in lots of areas of France particularly on weekends. When you’re pet-sitting or planning to grow 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

Helpful Tips text with glowing light bulb on wood texture.

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 approach 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 few automobile: If the folks you’re housesitting for are leaving the nation they might be leaving their automobile behind. Generally, the insurance coverage in France covers anybody with a sound license to drive a correctly insured automobile – excellent for a house-sitter in France!
  • Study the market schedule: Weekly markets are nonetheless a extremely popular factor in France, it’s how numerous locals get most of their produce. You’ll discover the whole lot from garments and quick meals to contemporary and reasonably priced groceries at a city market.
  • Carry some money: Most locations, even the markets, settle for card funds however not all. When you’re staying exterior of a giant metropolis discovering a cashpoint that doesn’t cost a hefty price could be a actual ache. Seize an affordable money float when you’ll be able to.
  • 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 information as a backup.
  • Plan your purchasing: Many supermarkets, even the actually massive 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 have been heated virtually completely by a hearth. Hosts ought to at all times depart you ample provides of wooden and present you find out how to 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 probably the most generally requested questions on house-sitting in France:

Do I would like insurance coverage for house-sitting in France?

It’s not obligatory to have any insurance coverage however it’s extremely advisable to take out some type of insurance coverage when house-sitting in France. Home and pet-sitting web sites supply insurance coverage choices to cowl cancelations by a bunch. For medical, journey, private harm, and theft, it will be very sensible to take out your personal coverage.

How do I grow to be a pet sitter in France?

If you want to grow to be a pet or house-sitter in France, step one can be to join a pet-sitting web site. There are lots of nice ones out there resembling Trusted Housesitters, Thoughts My Home, and Nomador. Most websites let you both be part of at no cost, enabling you to have a superb go searching, or pay a small premium to see if it’s the suitable one for you.

I personally love Trusted Housesitters, it’s been my go-to web site for years now and I exploit it virtually completely. When you’ve signed up, construct a full and glowing profile and begin planning find out how to rack up the 5-star evaluations.

Do I receives a commission to house-sit in France?

No, being a house-sitter in France gained’t generate a direct earnings stream. Usually, the home and pet-sitting websites which are out there don’t embrace any sort of fee. Cost is within the type of a normally fantastic home, in a tremendous a part of the world. It might be potential to receives a commission to be a house-sitter in France, however I haven’t come throughout this feature but.

Are there house-sitting jobs in France with out pets?

Sure, there are listings for house-sitting in France with out pets, they’re fairly uncommon however they actually do come up on occasion. Nevertheless, the vast majority of placements in France do contain pets.

How lengthy am I capable of keep in France as a home sitter?

Home sitting in France long run is actually potential but it surely relies upon totally on the place you’re from and what size of visa you might be allowed. Make sure to verify and abide by these rules completely. Lengthy-term sits in France commonly seem on varied house-sitting web sites.

What’s it prefer to house-sit in France?

Home-sitting in France is an excellent expertise. With a mix of gorgeous countryside and a few breathtaking and vibrant cities, France presents a little bit of the whole lot for anybody planning a placement there. Simple and reasonably priced public transportation makes it simple to get round from metropolis to metropolis. The persons are pleasant, heat, and welcoming.

Is a automobile at all times included with a house-sit in France?

A automobile isn’t at all times included with a house-sit in France, or wherever else on the planet for that matter. Nevertheless, it’s included with many home and pet-sits. Hosts are typically upfront about using their automobiles, which is useful. If it doesn’t point out something a few automobile within the itemizing, it by no means hurts to ask.

A automobile is a necessity for a lot of placements and having one could possibly be the distinction between making use of and never. For probably the most half, automobile insurance coverage in France covers the automobile for anybody to drive it with a sound license, so the potential of being loaned one is significantly elevated.

How ought to I strategy an software for a house-sit in France?

It is best to write an trustworthy, personalised, and pleasant software when making use of for a home or pet-sit in France. Learn the itemizing completely and check with factors the host has particularly talked about i.e. ‘Rex loves 3 lengthy walks a day’. Referencing the (appropriate!) pet names is a good suggestion too.

Be open to a video chat, additional correspondence, and any questions they might have. Be clear in your journey plans too. For instance don’t say “I assume I could possibly be there round 1st Could”, be extra assertive – “I land in Paris on 1st Could, your dates work completely for me’.

What occurs if my house-sit in France is canceled on the final minute?

Although it’s uncommon, home and pet-sits may be modified or canceled on the final minute. This could be a drawback in case your journey plans have already been organized. Nevertheless, many housesitting web sites supply membership choices that cowl this. I’d suggest choosing membership tiers or choices that cowl you for this in the event you’re planning to house-sit long-term.

In Conclusion

I hope this text has helped with some concepts on find out how to grow to be a housesitter in France. It actually is an excellent nation and one which I really feel everybody ought to expertise sooner or later of their lives.

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



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