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Happy Housesitters on French Leave: A Month in Southern France for £1,250
As sitters go, David and I – founder of HouseSit Match and long suffering other half – have completed a fair few gigs between us. Happy housesitters we are and we simply love discovering new places; we especially love housesitting in France. And this year we spent a whole month housesitting in the South of France and touring around the country. It was really fun and so enlightening as we went from one town to another touring and visiting friends and clients en route, and it proved that we can do affordable travel. Read on to learn about our month on French leave.
How we Became Happy Housesitters in France
Photo courtesy of Lamia and David Walker
The origins of my starting HouseSit Match are fairly well documented. And I’ve also shared my experiences of housesitting in France over the years in our blog. However, we had never before had the opportunity to go away from home for a whole month together. I saw a housesit in our listings located near Nimes, a town I had visited as a student, a little while ago and I simply couldn’t resist.
I know that as the owner of the platform I should let our customers have first dibs on all the housesits in our listings. But I’ve decided if there is a housesit that appeals we should all just go for it and compete. And hey, we secured the housesit – hence this time we’re the happy housesitters!
✈️ Key Takeaways: A Month in the South of France
- 📍 Where: Uzès, Gard region, southern France
- 🐱 The job: Caring for two cats — feeding, company, and pool checks
- 🏠 Accommodation: Free — covered entirely by housesitting
- ⛴️ Getting there: Portsmouth to St Malo ferry, return, under £500
- 💷 Total cost: £1,250 for two people for a whole month
- 🚌 Getting around: Regional buses and trams at just €2 per trip
- 🏛️ Must-sees: Nîmes, Avignon, Orange, Aigues-Mortes, Uzès Saturday market
- 🍷 Worth every penny: Château wine tasting at Aquéria in Tavel
- 🐾 How we found it: Housesitmatch.com
“A week in a modest holiday rental in the same region would likely cost more than our entire month.”
We Accepted a Very Serious Assignment in the South of France
Let me be clear. What we were asked to do was not easy. We may be happy housesitters, but we also want to be known as real housesitters, taking the job seriously.
The responsibility was considerable. The commitment, non-trivial. Every morning, without fail, we were required to rise, make our way to the kitchen, and dispense a measured portion of cat food into two small bowls, and check the swimming pool was working. Then we had to let the cats out.
Yes, that was largely it.
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
Hardly the Labours of Hercules
In exchange for this Herculean effort, we spent a month living in a beautiful home in Uzès, in the Gard region of southern France — one of the most historically rich, gastronomically blessed, and quietly spectacular corners of Europe. We wandered a medieval town at leisure. We visited Roman amphitheatres, ancient aqueducts, and a temple that has stood for two thousand years. We ate our way through truffle markets and pâtisseries. We tasted award-winning rosé at a château vineyard. We drove through sun-bleached landscapes that looked, frankly, like a film set.
The cats, for their part, were entirely untroubled by all of this.
And from the minute we arrived and were welcomed by our hosts the owners, and their two cats, we felt at home, our housesit from home that is.
Photo credit – Sandra Rutland
Our role as housesitters was simple: maintain the cats’ feeding routines and ensure they felt safe and comfortable in their home while their owners were away.
The Housesit Assignment
We found the housesit on Housesitmatch.com, naturally — a platform that connects homeowners who need someone to care for their pets and property while they travel, with people like us, who are very happy to do exactly that in exchange for somewhere wonderful to stay.
The arrangement is elegantly simple. No money changes hands. The homeowner gets trusted, caring hands looking after their beloved pets and their home. The housesitter gets the kind of accommodation that would otherwise be entirely out of reach. Everyone wins. The cats, in our case, appeared entirely indifferent — but in a contented sort of way.
We applied, we were accepted, and in February we loaded up the car, caught the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry, and drove south.
What a Month in the South of France Actually Cost Us
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
Here is where it gets interesting. We love housesitting for all the slow travel advantages I write about on a regular basis. But the cost savings are not to be sniffed at. Remember the savings you make on accommodation if you help others by housesitting when you travel.
We drove from the UK — ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and back, all inclusive, under £500. Petrol there and back, and throughout a month of exploring the region. On the way down and back up we stayed with friends, though we budgeted for two nights in Airbnbs along the route. Then there was the weekly supermarket shop, the Saturday farmers’ markets — where it is essentially impossible not to buy things — a couple of meals out each week, the odd glass of wine at a café on Place aux Herbes, and a rather enthusiastic visit to a château wine tasting from which we emerged with a boot full of bottles.
Souvenirs. Truffles. Pâtisseries. Buying a sample truffle David had insisted, was entirely necessary.
Photo courtesy of David Walker
Total cost of the entire trip — travel, food, markets, meals out two people, for a whole month in the South of France: £ 1,250.
Take a moment with that.
Photo courtesy of David Walker
We should confess that a further £160 left the wallet in the form of château rosé — but we consider that an investment rather than an expense.
NOTE – For context, a week in a modest holiday rental in the same region in any season would likely cost considerably more. We had four of those weeks, plus a medieval town on our doorstep, plus two extremely companionable cats who required very little of us and gave back, in their quiet feline way, rather a lot.
Public Transport for Two Euros!
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
One of the most startling discoveries of our stay was the prolific and highly affordable regional bus and tram network where we were staying in the South of France. For just two Euros per person, per journey, we could travel to some of the most remarkable destinations visiting world class cities and their monuments. Two Euros! A coffee in England would cost double that, the bus perhaps five times more to say nothing of the parking! We were happy housesitters indeed, our budget for transport went much further than we had planned.
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
Nîmes
Nîmes was our most frequent destination — an easy bus ride from Uzès and endlessly rewarding. We visited the breathtaking Les Arènes, the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre outside Rome, still in use today for concerts and events. We stood before the Maison Carrée, the finest surviving Roman temple in the world, in quiet conversation across the square with Norman Foster‘s elegant contemporary art museum. We went back more than once. At two Euros a trip, why wouldn’t we?
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
Avignon
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
Avignon delivered its own sense of drama — the vast Palais des Papes looming over the city, the famous bridge stretching out into the Rhône and stopping, with magnificent indifference, roughly halfway across. The city has a grand, slightly theatrical quality to it, as though it has never quite recovered from once being the seat of the papacy and isn’t entirely sure it wants to.
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
NOTE – The bridge at Avignon was originally built as a wooden bridge in the 12th Century, and rebuilt in the 13th Century in stone with 22 arches. Despite being rebuilt every time the Rhone flooded it was eventually abandoned in the 17th Century and today only four arches remain plus the gatehouse at one end.
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
Orange
Orange was a revelation. The Roman theatre there is extraordinary — one of the best preserved in the entire Roman world, its vast stage wall still standing to its original height. Standing in the tiered seating and looking down at the stage, it was genuinely easy to imagine a performance unfolding 2,000 years ago. The sheer scale of the theatre is remarkable, and the fact that a group of retirees from Julius Caesar’s campaigns in Africa clubbed together to pay for the land and the construction to give themselves entertainment in their twilight years is in itself amazing. That it has lasted and is still used today is awe inspiring!
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
By Car — Three More Discoveries
The regional bus network took us far, but the car opened up three destinations that stayed with us long afterwards.
Aigues-Mortes
Aigues-Mortes is one of those places that stops you in your tracks. A perfectly preserved medieval walled town rising dramatically from the flat Camargue marshlands, its ramparts entirely intact and walkable. Built by Louis IX in the thirteenth century as a departure point for the Crusades, it has a brooding, fortress-like quality — walls so massive and so complete that you half expect to find the gates still guarded. Dramatic barely covers it.
La Grande Motte
La Grande Motte, a short drive away along the coast, provided the perfect comic counterpoint. A purpose-built resort constructed in the 1960s and 70s, it is an extraordinary vision of futurist architecture — vast pyramid-shaped apartment blocks, curved concrete hotels, and geometric marina buildings that look like they were designed for a science fiction film. Bizarre and brilliant in equal measure, and entirely unlike anything else in the region. After a week of Roman antiquity, it felt like arriving on another planet. We loved it.
Vézenobres
Photo credit – Lamia Walker
Vézenobres was our hidden gem. A small medieval hilltop village just a short drive from Uzès, it sees relatively few tourists and is all the better for it. Narrow stone lanes, sweeping views over the surrounding countryside, and the kind of unhurried quiet that is increasingly hard to find. We wandered for an hour and barely passed another soul. Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones nobody told you about.
Dreaming of Slow Travel and Living Life Like a Local?
Housesitting is one of the most rewarding ways to travel – we certainly enjoyed it and were very happy housesitters. By caring for someone’s home and pets while they’re away, you can stay in beautiful locations around the world while enjoying a more authentic travel experience.
If the idea of spending a few weeks in a place like Uzès — exploring local markets, historic towns, and hidden corners of Europe — appeals to you, housesitting might just be your next great adventure.
Why Housesitting?
Housesitting offered us an affordable way to enjoy this remarkable destination without breaking the bank. Even better, it allowed us to spend a meaningful amount of time there, immersing ourselves in local life and language.
As an empty nester, my opportunity to travel with fewer responsibilities has finally arrived. So, when I saw this catsit near Uzès, on Housesitmatch.com I applied — and when the time came, we moved in at the owners’ invitation. The assignment meant we would stay in our hosts’ home to care for the cats and the property while they travelled. In return, we had the time and space to savour the local culture, history, art, and architecture.
To me, this was the epitome of slow travel.
Better still, our housesitting meant the homeowners didn’t need to pay for cat sitters or kennels during their three-and-a-half-week trip — and we didn’t need to pay for accommodation.
A perfect exchange for both happy homeowners, and the happy housesitters.
Join our Community of Happy Housesitters Today
Housesitting isn’t just about free accommodation; it’s about the freedom to explore places like the the South of France with a local’s perspective. By joining a trusted housesitting platform like Housesit Match as a housesitter, you unlock a world of affordable travel that is both satisfying and deeply rewarding.
With a 4.9/5.0 rating on Trustpilot, our members agree that we offer the best support and security for our happy housesitters and homeowners alike.
[View our latest Housesitting assignments in Europe here]
FAQ
Do I need experience to apply for a housesit?
Not at all. Everyone starts somewhere, and many homeowners are perfectly happy to welcome first-time housesitters — particularly if you have a warm, well-written profile and good personal references. Being a pet owner yourself, or having cared for friends’ or family’s pets, is well worth mentioning. The key is honesty, enthusiasm, and reliability. We were relatively new to housesitting when we applied for our Uzès sit — and here we are.
How do I make my profile stand out?
Think of your profile as a friendly introduction rather than a CV. A clear, recent photo, a warm personal description, and a few words about why you love animals and travel go a long way. If you have references — from previous housesits, employers, or trusted friends — add them. Homeowners are essentially inviting you into their home, so the more human and trustworthy your profile feels, the better. You can see what makes a great profile here.
Can I housesit if I work remotely?
Absolutely — and in many ways housesitting is the perfect arrangement for remote workers. A comfortable home, a reliable internet connection, and a beautiful location on your doorstep. Our photo by the swimming pool in Uzès tells that story rather well. Many housesitters specifically seek out sits that offer good wifi and a quiet workspace, and homeowners increasingly expect this as a perfectly normal arrangement.
What does a typical housesit involve?
Every sit is different, but most involve caring for one or more pets — feeding, walking, or simply providing company — and keeping the home ticking over while the owners are away. Some sits include garden watering, collecting post, or managing a pool. The responsibilities are always agreed in advance, and a good platform like Housesitmatch.com ensures both parties are clear on expectations before anyone commits to anything.
What if something goes wrong while the owners are away?
Good preparation is everything. Before your sit begins, make sure you have a thorough handover from the homeowners — vet contacts, emergency numbers, details of any quirks the house or pets might have. Housesitmatch.com provides guidance and support throughout, and most homeowners are only a phone call or message away even when travelling. In our experience, homeowners who use a trusted platform are well prepared precisely because they care deeply about their pets and home.
Is housesitting safe?
When done through a reputable, vetted platform, yes. Housesitmatch.com verifies both homeowners and housesitters, and the review system means you can read about others’ experiences before committing. As with any travel arrangement, common sense applies — read profiles carefully, communicate thoroughly before agreeing to a sit, and trust your instincts. The community is overwhelmingly warm, responsible, and genuinely passionate about what they do.
How long are most housesits, and how far in advance should I plan?
Housesits range from a long weekend to several months — it entirely depends on the homeowner’s needs and your availability. Shorter sits are great for beginners, while longer sits like ours in Uzès offer the kind of deep immersion into a place that is simply impossible any other way. Popular destinations and peak travel seasons book up quickly, so it pays to have an active profile and check listings regularly. The earlier you start looking, the more choice you will have to become a happy housesitter too. Browse current housesits in Europe here.
Have you ever housesit abroad, or is it something you’ve been thinking about? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
Further Reading
At HouseSitMatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about housesitting and pet sitting and how to become a happy housesitter. Plus we offer travel and practical guides like to inspire you and help get you started in housesitting.
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