French farmhouse needs long-term outdoorsy ,cheerful and active house sitting couple

About this assignment

Ideally, we are looking for a highly practical couple. Our sit offers time to get the know an area well as it is available for approx 12 months but could be for longer by mutual agreement, starting in April 2026.You need to be outdoorsy ,cheerful and motivated. Be reliable, a good communicator and able to commit to the complete sit.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

You need to enjoy being out of doors as one day a week would be spent maintaining the garden and grounds, mowing (ride on tractor or the walk behind mower) and quite a deal of strimming/brush cutting, will be the priority outside. You must be able to demonstrate competency with equipment (we will pay for fuel and any parts). All equipment will be provided and maintained by us and full training will be given. Watering, spraying, pruning, weeding small borders and pots as necessary. Be knowledgeable about plants or be willing to learn.As much of the work in the garden is weather & season dependent there will be busy and then very quiet times of the year.
Feed the wild birds daily.
Airport pickup from Toulouse ,we will refund all costs or the use of our car.We come to the property on average every 2 months for 3-6 weeks and you are free to be away during our visits or stay as the apartment is completely self contained, own front door and the gardens are extensive for privacy. When we are at the house we are completely involved and sharing the garden work!

What are the good features of the property and location

This place is a dream for people who love the great outdoors with fantastic wildlife (hares,deer, badgers,lots of birds...), plants and views.We have owned the house and land (5 hectares) which was formally a working farm, since the summer of 2008. The fields are now pretty clear of weeds and stones, we have planted some trees, created flower borders , rebuilt some walls and most of the land around the house in a state that can be mown or strimmed. We maintain the fields and woods, which are the greater part of the land, ourselves and is not your responsibility. This is a country property, surrounded by farmland, very peaceful with good walks direct from the house and you would be welcome to walk anywhere on our land. We have neighbours, although you cannot see their houses as each is at least 1 km away. This property stands alone surrounded by our own land and neighbours fields. You are not on the edge of a village or hamlet. In 2013 we created, with our builders, a self contained first floor apartment specifically for Guardians within this former farmhouse. We designed the apartment to a standard that we would be happy to occupy. It is well insulated and has independent top quality electric Haverland heaters in every room. It is light and airy with high ceilings and views of the Pyrenees and our neighbours lake from the sitting/dining/fitted kitchen room which runs the whole of the south side of the apartment. There is a double bedroom, bathroom (with shower and full sized bath tub) and a smaller room currently used as a study/ storage. It is fully furnished and kitted out. Some additional storage may be negotiable. Great walks from the property and in the surrounding countryside. Challenging cycling cross country, horse trekking across the hills or motorcycling on empty roads. History in abundance, you are in historic Cathar country.Nearest towns -Castelnaudary (on the Canal Midi) great for shopping, including 4 supermarkets for just about everything, good local hospital 20 mins, famous Carcassonne about 45 mins, beautiful medieval Mirepoix about 20 mins, Cathar village Fanjeaux 15 mins (mini supermarket, bakery, butcher, cafe, pharmacy , doctors, garage, church and lots of events).There are too many beautiful villages to mention them all, swimming in mountain lakes in the summer and skiing in the Pyrenees in the winter. Swimming or sailing at the sea is about an hour and a half away. We are one hour south of Toulouse.
We are in our early 70's but young at heart and active. We love being outside and are continually doing some project either inside or outside the house as funds allow. We love the peace, the countryside, the abundance of nature, expeditions out on our motorcycle, history and rock music. We are a pretty cheerful, resourceful , friendly and can-do couple who enjoy getting our hands dirty.We enjoy sharing our dream with other like minded folk.

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

Some French would be very helpful in this rural area.
Guardians pay for their own use of water, electricity, broadband and house taxes and are responsible for apartment consumables. Guardians must be resident full time and occupy the apartment at night unless the homeowners are present (an insurance requirement), open and close the main gates each day. There is an external CCTV system at the gate and covering all external doors.
There will be a detailed agreement covering all aspects of the sit to be signed by both parties. We always take time to meet and show the property, trial the equipment and discuss the sit in detail with our prospective sitters and we will be interviewing from now initially by Zoom and then at the property.
Quality references & police checks required .Please do not apply if you have none.
You must have a vehicle there is no public transport.
No animals – sorry
We come to the property on average every 2 months for 3-6 weeks and you are free to be away during our visits or stay as the apartment is very separate and the gardens are extensive..

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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