Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Rural French Property, Long House Sit, Car Essential, Suit Couples only
France, Blaymont, Agen, Metropolitan France
Pets
There are no pets to look after
Dates
- 14 Nov 2025 to 14 Mar 2026 (34 sitters have applied for these dates)
About this assignment
A winter sit, suitable for couples as its rural and quiet and some winter maintenance maybe needed. We dont have any pets so you can bring your own small pet! Car essential as its rural. Studio Cottage on the grounds of our large house which is closed up in winter.
What responsibilities are required of the house sitter
Keep outside areas tidy of leaves and weeds, check rooms in main house for any storm or rain damage, keep houseplants watered, collect post/deliveries, take meter readings, fix any normal general maintenance that may occur.
What are the good features of the property and location
A rural location yet just 5 mins from nearest small town by car (2 miles). We offer a luxury modernised house with fast wifi and sky tv. Beautiful property for painting, practising yoga or reading or writing in a peaceful tranquil environment. If you have your own pet they can roam freely in our enclosed courtyard or the gardens.
What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment
Must have own car essential. Be committed to 4 months with appropriate visa requirements met. Preferably a couple as its rural and 4 winter months can be lonely!
Can I bring my own pets?
Yes
Last updated:
19 June 2025
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Testimonials
A truly special experience
For us, the house-sit with Cathy & Marcus was a truly special experience, leaving us with wonderful memories and giving us a good sense of rural life in France.Their beautiful, spacious property is set in a very rural area of southern France. We spent four months there as house sitters, from October through Christmas and New Year, into the early spring. During this time, we stayed in a self-contained guest house next to the main house. Since this was a long-term house sit, we had the chance to meet Cathy and Marcus in the summer beforehand. They welcomed us with a delicious dinner, creating a friendly atmosphere. The next day, Cathy gave us a full tour of the property, explained our responsibilities, and even introduced us to some of the gardening equipment so we could get a sense of the autumn tasks ahead. Cathy is a wonderful cook and once again prepared a delightful treat for our arrival in autumn, followed by a delicious dinner a few days later. Before their departure, we had plenty of time to familiarize ourselves with everything, ensuring a smooth and well-organized handover. The house was excellently prepared, with helpful labels and clear instructions. Cathy and Marcus were also easy to reach during their absence and readily assisted with any questions. The tasks varied with the season, in addition to clear responsibilities in the house. In autumn, when leaves fall, the focus was on leaf blowing and tidying up after occasional strong winds, while in spring, it was more about mowing the lawn and the garden beds. We also took care of the pool. As city dwellers, we thoroughly enjoyed these activities as a refreshing change from our work at the computer☺️ We highly recommend this house sit to anyone seeking peace, quiet, and a deep connection with nature in a serene and secluded setting. The hosts, Cathy and Marcus are very kind and welcoming, and we were especially grateful for the opportunity to bring our little dog along, which made our stay even more enjoyable.
Dominika, France, 18 November, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We had a lovely time
We had a lovely time at Cathy's and Marcus's estate. The charm of the estate is undeniable. We happily extended our stay when their return got delayed. They were responsive and explained everything we needed to know before the sit. We had a lovely stay in this rural part of France and lots of time to explore some of the interesting villages, cities and places around. Working around the house is totally manageable.
Katja, France, 29 January, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Thank you
Thank you Kathy and Marcus for your hospitality, it was a pleasure to housesit in your charming place! The mansion is beautiful, and location is so peaceful and tranquil. Just a perfect stay for those who want to escape from busy and crowded city life and spend some time in nature to find peace for your mind and soul. Although it was winter, the nature was still very beautiful, lots of foggy days, I can not even imagine how magical this place is during spring and summer time. There are also some cool spots in the area (Cahor, Agen, some Paleolithic caves) that you can arrange one day trip to, explore this region. The gateskipper house itself is cozy and has everything you need inside. As for our duties as a housesitters we had to make sure the fountain is full, empty the pool skippers from the leaves, and clean the path near the house from leaves with a garden fan, all was easy to do. I think tasks may vary from a season. We really enjoyed this housesitting experience and highly recommend this sit!
Ivanna, France, 06 January, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Genuinely enjoyable
Our housesitting experience near Agen, France, was genuinely enjoyable. Our hosts, Cathy and Marcus, were welcoming and friendly. While we mostly interacted with Cathy due to Marcus's busy schedule, she was helpful and approachable. She showed us everything we needed to know on our arrival day, which was greatly appreciated.The work was manageable, primarily focusing on the garden and pool. A funny task was occasionally chasing after the lawnmower robots. We had our own small, cosy cottage with a kitchen and bathroom, which was clean and had everything we needed. Access to the main house was also available. The necessity of a car enabled us to explore the region, where we discovered castles, medieval villages, and great hiking trails within a couple of hours' drive. The housesit's location is particularly suited for couples, as the nearest neighbors are a good distance away. It's a quiet, peaceful place, ideal for relaxing. We definitely enjoyed our stay and would consider returning in the future. It's a great spot for anyone looking for a calm retreat in a lovely area.
Antonia, France, 03 November, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Thank you
Cathy and Marcus were very hospitable, and welcomed me with a delicious meal. They have a lovely home, with beautiful plants and garden., it was a pleasure to meet them and to care for their home in their absence. Thanks you.
Philippa, France, 19 September, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We unreservedly recommend this house sit
Thank you Cathy and Marcus for trusting us to take care of your beautiful home. Sadly we had to leave early to return home due to the death of a close family member. Cathy and Marcus could not have been more understanding and helpful. We were very sorry to be unable to complete our time there. Cathy very kindly invited us to join them for an evening meal before we left for the UK, it was very much appreciated. Cathy was most hospitable and thoughtful, she provided us with clear instructions relating to the running of the household. We were made to feel very welcome from the outset and had everything necessary for a comfortable stay. The location of this home is stunning, with exceptional views allowing lots of photographic opportunities. The setting is very peaceful, however it is remote, therefore a car is essential; it's a truly marvellous place to stay. We had ample free time to walk in the countryside and to visit the many interesting locations in the area. Our self contained accommodation was delightful, it was in a converted building within the grounds. The provision of Sky TV was a bonus and allowed us to keep up with UK news and the World Cup. We are able to unreservedly recommend this house sit to anyone lucky enough to be offered the opportunity. We wouldn't hesitate to stay again if we were to be invited.
Chrissie, France, 14 December, 2022(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
A very enjoyable time spent in beautiful surroundings
We arrived a couple of days before Cathy and Marcus set off on their travels which ensured a good handover. We spend a very convivial evening with them on our arrival sharing a lovely meal and sharing lots of experiences. The property is beautiful and the grounds immaculately kept. Our "home" for our stay was a well-appointed comfortable cottage. Our focus was to keep an eye on everything and try to keep the leaves at bay! Lots of time to relax and explore. After a lovely weekend on our arrival, the end of a very mild autumn arrived and unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse. It restricted our exploring a little but we did manage to visit beautiful Lauzerte and Agen. All in all a very enjoyable time spent in beautiful surroundings, with a warm welcome from very hospitable hosts.
Carolyn, France, 10 November, 2022(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
It couldn’t have been better
Lorena and I have just returned from a lengthy house sit at the home of Marcus and Cathy in rural Southern France and it couldn’t really have gone better. November is not the “perfect” time of year to house sit but we were well aware of that before we went and we have no regrets whatsoever about our decision, we had a wonderful experience. The sit was exactly as described and Marcus and Cathy greeted us warmly upon arrival, from the word go we felt welcome and appreciated. We were provided with clear instructions about what was required and given a general tour of this expansive and lovely property.It was ideal that we were able to spend our first evening with Cathy and Marcus and after a long drive from Northern France the lovely meal and company they provided in delightful surroundings was extremely welcome. Over dinner we were given all the information we could need about the property and local area. Cathy and Marcus’ beautiful home is in a very rural location and a car would really be essential for a sitter. Though the property is secluded it also feels secure and many features of the property can be controlled remotely which was helpful on a couple of occasions where various areas needed to be switched on or off remotely. Lorena and I stayed in a cottage adjacent to the main house called Gatekeeper’s Cottage which was great, it afforded us comfort and privacy and had all the amenities we required. The main features were a toilet/shower room, oven and ceramic hob, refrigerator with access to a freezer, microwave, coffee machine, heating and air conditioning. There is also UK Sky TV but we enjoyed the location so much we didn’t really bother with it apart from occasionally catching up with the news! On our first morning, before Cathy and Marcus departed, Marcus took us on a short but very helpful local tour to show us where the local shops, Dr, garage, villages etc. were which was unexpected but very welcome, this also confirmed what a lovely spot this is. Cathy and Marcus were very supportive both before and during our stay. They were easy to communicate with and they are very sociable people who really are great company and are very kind. Lorena and I feel that it has been a great privilege to have been able to stay in this wonderful place, it truly was a life-enhancing experience. We would love to return one day and we have no reservations whatsoever in recommending house sitting for Cathy and Marcus, it couldn’t have been better.
Quentin, France, 11 November, 2021(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
I highly recommend this as a sit
Cathy and Marcus's home is beautiful. They provided a separate cottage for me to stay in, which was lovely, with its own kitchen, bed, shower room and enough space to relax in. They were very kind and keen to put me at ease. My main task was caring for Skinny, who was previously a feral cat and now very much at home at Cathy and Marcus's. She is young and incredibly sweet and loving. Cathy and Marcus had planned to go away for Christmas, but due to the escalation in restrictions with Covid they cancelled their plans at the last minute. They were insistent I stayed, since I was already there, keen that I relax, explore the countryside and the neighbouring villages, which I did. The fact that I could stay in a separate space, allowed for me to be independent and for them and me to have space and privacy. which in the uncertain world of planning with covid is incredibly helpful. A beautiful house, surrounded by gently rolling hills, with a gorgeous cat, who'll touch your heart! I highly recommend this as a sit.
Samantha, France, 19 December, 2020(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)