France
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We’re a young family who lives in the South-West of France, on the coast near Biarritz. The French Basque Country is a unique place, a rich amalgamation of cultures and people, mountains and sea. Populated by the stoic Basque people, Californian surfers, skaters from all over Europe, artists, yogis, musicians, chefs and interesting folk disillusioned by big city living, there’s no other place quite like it in Europe. We have two young kids, our son Elia, 6, and our daughter Isadora, 3. Ludmilla is a ceramic artist who works at an atelier away from the house, and Xander is a writer who works from home. We’re looking for a fifth family member to help out with the kids, someone who shares the same values when it comes to halfling education: consciousness, compassion and empathy.
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
The French Basque Country is a culturally rich and stimulating place. In one morning you can bump into locals from all over the world: California, Sweden, London, Paris, New York, Japan and Belgium. We live an 8-minute drive from the beach, and 25 minutes to the start of the Pyrenees. This is a place where you can snowboard in the morning and surf in the afternoon. No kidding. We are very close to the Spanish border, and popping over to San Sebastian is no biggie. Bilbao is 2 hours away. The wild endless beaches of Les Landes are 40 mins away. When you’re not helping out, you’ll be able to surf every morning, (or do yoga) hike the weekends and hang out in Guethary and Biarritz at night. If you like nature and people, this is the place for you.
We mainly need help with taking care of the kids five hours a day, five days a week. Mainly in the afternoons from 13:30 until 17:30. Both kids are in school, but Isadora only does half-days and is back home at 12:00. Elia finishes school at 16:30. You would therefore spend most of your time with Isadora, except on Wednesdays when schools are closed. We’re looking for someone passionate about kids’ pedagogy, a conscious, compassionate soul that will contribute to our kids’ development and stimulation. Lucky for you, this can all take place in the most beautiful surroundings: on the beach, in a forest, or on a mountain. The kids love music, skateboarding, nature, games, books, little kittens and big adults who treat them as equals.
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Armenian: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
We live in a spacious 170 square m house in Ahetze, with a big yard overlooking green pastures where horses roam free. (Again, no kidding.) There is a separate section with a guest room downstairs and a private bathroom and entrance to the house. We have a main living room area upstairs where we spend most of our time: listening to records, cooking, eating, reading and playing. We eat healthily, local and organic. We occasionally eat meat and fish, as we are conscious of our consumption of it. To us it's very important how we and our kids eat.
Our journey as a family unit is one that evolves daily. Our goal is to be more conscious of who we are as people. To live more meaningfully. We have lived and worked for many years in big cities like Paris, London and New York, and we have moved to the Basque for a very specific reason: to slow the machine down and to be more present. For ourselves. And our children. Kindred spirits will be welcomed.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
This host can provide space for campervans.
One
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
