Two dogs, three cats and a little house need you near St. Rémy de Provence

About this assignment

We are looking for a couple who would enjoy spending the time in a very desirable location in Provence, close to St. Rémy, Avignon, Arles and Aix-en-Provence, and would commit to taking care of our pets, especially in the evenings and during the weekends, when our caretaker and our gardener are absent from the estate. Although we love children, we cannot accept families with kids. The house-sitter couple would be required to take the dogs for daily walks, for about one hour if there is no rain or strong wind, feed them in the evening (and in the morning during weekends!) and care for them. Helping with weeding and watering our potted plants, dead-heading roses, removing dead leaves will amount to about two more hours of work per person per working day (not weekends!). If you are interested in working more, you could at times earn some money by helping with house-keeping, but this is not a must. In exchange for all of the above, you would inhabit a nice house with all amenities and all utilities for free and enjoy its lovely garden, orchard and its typically Provencal atmosphere. While our area boasts a lot of historic, cultural and geographical attractions, we ask our house sitters to visit them during the week on day trips, and spend all nights on the estate. Sightseeing during the week is preferable indeed, as over the weekends tourist sites are very crowded. You can manage your time as you wish during the workdays, 8:00 am - 5:30pm. If you need to travel during the time you spend on our property, we could come and replace you for a week, if notice is given at least two weeks in advance.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Feeding the dogs and cats. Watching over their wellbeing, taking the dogs for daily walks around the estate and along the roads outside.
Presence on our property is required at night, every night, and most of the day during weekends. (No absences over 4 hours over the weekends.)
Trips to neighbouring towns and to the seaside can be taken during the week, 9:00 AM to 5:30 pm, when they are less crowded.
Help with potted plants and weeding in the garden will amount to two hours per day per person during working days. If interested, you could help in the household, for which you would be rewarded according to a mutual agreement between the parties.
Keeping the house in which you reside clean and tidy and sweeping of the lawn in front of it will be required as part of the house-sitting agreement.

What are the good features of the property and location

Our estate consists of an old traditional farmhouse for our family and a smaller house with all amenities, a large park, a vegetable garden, fruit and olive trees. It is located between Avignon and Marseille, ca. 10 km from St Rémy and 2 km from the centre of a very attractive village, inhabited all through winter and well visited in summer. You will live in the smaller house at the entrance to the property, consisting of: one large living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a hallway, all fittings in very good condition. We have fast internet, a smart TV, and lots of outdoors space. Digital "nomads", writers and artists would love this place, as they can work, make music or write at leisure. Retirees would welcome the peace and good climate, garden lovers would enjoy keeping an eye on our beautiful plants, readers can take their time reading and craftsmen can work in the workshop on their creations. When the family and guests (among which there will be paying guests) are in residence, use of the swimming pool is restricted to them.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

This is a rural location: you need a car to go shopping and visiting sites in the area. With one or two exceptions, our neighbours are not close by, so you need to be comfortable with living at a certain distance from other people. You are required to care for dogs who really need human presence: one cannot leave them alone, so you can only go on day trips -- unless we can make arrangements to replace you (advance notice requested). Experience with dogs is necessary. If you look for peace, beautiful surroundings, lots of space, beautiful light, historic sites, walks through the hills of Provence and its olive orchards, then this place is for you. There is a rooster nearby that can wake you up early in the morning -- French law allows it to express himself freely! A note for house-sitters applying for the summer months: when the family or guests renting the main house are present, use of the swimming pool is restricted to them.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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