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Enthusiastic native English speaker needed in the beautiful French Alps in Villard-de-Lans, France

France
Last activity : 10 Jan 2025

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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
17 Dec 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
13
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2025

Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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Description
Hi!

We are a happy family of 4. We live in the beautiful village of Villard-de-Lans (4000 inhabitants), 45 min bus ride from Grenoble. Villard-de-Lans is located in the Vercors mountains, the largest natural reserve in France. After spending 8 years in California (USA) and 1 year in Munich (Germany), we are now back to our roots where we, Margaux & Christophe (parents) grew up. Our twin daughters, Claris and Garance (8 years old), were born in the US. They enjoy playing outside, swimming, doing crafts, riding their bikes, skiing, and listening to stories.

We are looking for a young lady (18+, non-smoker) to help look after our twin daughters 4-5 hours per day (mostly in the evenings). Must be English native speaker as we would like you to help maintain their English level while playing with them. If you wish to learn French, you will be able to practice with us (parents) but we want you to speak English to our daughters.

We live in a nice house with a large terrace and a small yard. You will be able to go hiking/mountain biking right from our place as well as enjoy the several activities of the cute downtown (welcome to borrow a bicycle). We love nature, enjoy hiking, mountain biking, trail running, skiing and cooking delicious French food. You will have your own bedroom and bathroom. If you are up to, we will be happy to share our meals and outdoor hobbies with you.

Villard-de-Lans and Grenoble are easily reachable via Lyon (bus), Paris (train) and Geneva (bus).

We are very looking forward to welcoming you in our family. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any question.   Talk to you soon!

Margaux, Christophe, Claris & Garance
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Babysitting and creative play
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We will be delighted to share our French culture, bring you to our favorite places and teach you some delicious recipes. We lived 8 years in the US, so it will be easy to communicate in English (or uniquely in French, if you wish to learn that language). If you like the outdoor, no matter the season you will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities.
Au Pair Help
Further details can be found here
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We're looking for a smiling and dynamic native English speaker who enjoys taking care of little ones. You would help look after our 8 years old daughters while speaking English to them. Most of the time, I (mom) will be home with you so it will be just a matter of entertaining the kids (e.g. read books, play with them) and help with the night routine (getting them bathed and putting them in their PJs).
Languages
Languages spoken
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We live in a nice house. You will have your own bedroom and bathroom.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One

Host ref number: 672766669791

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Feedback (12)

21 Nov 2024

Left by Workawayer (Rory) for host

I couldn't agree more with these reviews, staying with the family for the duration of October and Early November has been an absolute treat!
Upon meeting the family there were no worries for awkward interaction, I was greeted by bubbly chatter and it seemed that we were instant friends. They have a beautiful home, providing you with your own… read more

(Excellent )

27 May 2024

Left by Workawayer (Kirsten) for host

I just spent a month in Villard-de-Lans and feel so lucky to have spent time with this generous family in a ridiculously beautiful part of the world.

Claris and Garance are such bright and playful presences to be with every day and you will never be bored when looking after them. I really admired how headstrong, clever, witty and empathetic they… read more are for their age, and they were so confident interacting with me from the very first second. They can be stubborn when you need them to do something as most 7 year olds are, especially when they’ve become engrossed in playing, but over the month I learned how to best engage them in these moments and we managed to make games out of chores and boring things like getting them ready for bed! We also played card games, board games, make-believe, and random games that the girls would invent, my personal favourite being a kind of rolling sellotape dodgeball…

The hikes and cycles around the family home are absolutely gorgeous and there are so many trails to explore. It’s my favourite type of landscape and every time I went out into the mountains I came back in such a good mood. I stayed in May 2024, and unfortunately it was an uncharacteristically very rainy/grey month, so I didn’t manage to get out every day like I wanted to. However, Margaux and Christophe were so supportive about showing me which were the best routes to take on the days when the sun came out and with some obsessive weather forecast tracking I managed to do the main peaks around their house. Other hikers were so friendly on the trails and would always say bonjour which felt like I was part of a little community! On rainy days, I’d wait for a dry spell and cycle to the village to grab a little treat from the bakery, and was able to do my online tutoring job from the house. The girls were also really empathetic about the rain scuppering some of my hiking plans which I thought was so sweet.

Margaux always made sure to tell me what was needed each day and it was never more than a few hours. I didn’t really consider it work either as I enjoyed being with the girls, it was just another fun part of my day. The most ‘intense’ days would be when both Margaux and Christophe worked from the office and then I would be responsible for the girls’ morning and evening routine. During the month I visited Marseille, Nice, and Grenoble, and Margaux and Christophe were fantastic at helping me get to Villard/Grenoble for buses or trains when they were driving to work or dropping the girls off to a hobby.

(Excellent )

27 Feb 2024

Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host

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(Good )

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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.4)

Communication:
(4.8)

21 Nov 2024

Left by Workawayer (Rory) for host

(Excellent)

27 May 2024

Left by Workawayer (Kirsten) for host

(Excellent)

27 Feb 2024

Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host

Please see our feedback policy for more info about why this review is not displayed

(Good)

9 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Hagar) for host

This was my first Workaway experience and words cannot express how grateful I am to have spent it with such an incredible family. And I do feel like “incredible” is quite an understatement. I was in Villard-de-Lans for a month, but would have happily stayed longer if my travel plans had allowed it!

I’d like to just begin by saying that Margaux… read more and Christophe are genuine, warm-hearted people as well as amazing parents. They’ve cultivated such a welcoming environment within their home, which I was immensely appreciative for. During my time there, I always felt comfortable asking questions, sharing stories, and joining in on their family plans. Margaux also generously pushed me to practice my broken French whenever she could. She took note of how much I wanted to improve, but was also well-aware of how shy I was with my speaking. Therefore, she graciously spoke to me in French so I could practice my listening, answered any questions I had, and patiently repeated words like “écureuil” at least 20 times until I sort-of (not really) got the hang of the “r” sound. She really is an amazing woman!

Given how great Margaux and Christophe both are, it’s no surprise that Claris and Garance are absolutely wonderful as well! They’re full of personality and character, funny, and incredibly sweet. You’ll see that within the first few minutes of meeting them. We spent a lot of time playing card games, coloring, building toy farm houses, jumping on the trampoline, or simply reading books. They each have distinct personalities, but are both tremendously intelligent and emotionally mature for their age. They’re very curious about the world around them and therefore love to learn new things. They also approach everything with an open and accepting mind, which is quite impressive. Lastly, they each have hearts of gold. When I lost a really sentimental ring while on a run, the girls willingly joined me to look for it as soon as I told them. They were as upset as me, holding my hand and comforting me throughout. When I wanted to give up, the girls insisted we keep looking. Then, when we finally found it, we all jumped and cheered for ages out of sheer joy. Claris and Garance were ecstatic knowing that I was no longer sad- they even hugged the ring and held it close to their chest multiple times. That level of empathy is just beautiful to see in such young girls. It’s a testament to how well their parents have done at raising them. That being said, it was a pleasure to look after them.

In terms of the workload, it was all very straight-forward and easy. While the tasks varied from day-to-day, Margaux was always communicative about what may be expected for the upcoming week. This sometimes included getting the girls ready for school, picking them up at the bus stop, or looking after them in afternoons/evenings. Some light cooking or tidying may also be expected here and there, but it was always very manageable. Having said that, I also had a lot of free time to explore the area. Villard-de-Lans is absolutely stunning! While it has an extremely outdoorsy atmosphere, it’s also just a very scenic and peaceful place to be. I mainly stuck to hiking and road running, but there are also opportunities for mountain biking, trail running, and skiing if you’re interested. Grenoble is a great city just 45 minutes from Villard-de-Lans and easily-accessible, if you’re ever in the mood for a change of pace. Both Christophe and Margaux are always happy to give recommendations and help accommodate you in any way they can!

As I write this review now, which is truthfully a bit late, I still miss them as much as I did when I left. I think back to the memories I made with such contentment. I miss sharing funny stories/experiences with them over dinner, watching Christophe's family videos, teaching the girls Spanish phrases, and jumping on the trampoline until I ran out of breath. I miss talking with Margaux in the mornings and watching the cows in the nearby field from the back window. Although some months have past, I continue to have so much love and appreciation for the family. As I've continued on with my travels, I still carry the keychain Claris gifted me everywhere I go! I think about you guys often and truly hope to see you again!!

(Excellent)

10 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Mikayla) for host

This was my first Workaway and I had an amazing experience. I was pretty nervous at first, but Margaux and Christophe were great at communicating before and after I arrived, which eased my apprehension about living with new people on my own. The whole family is lovely and very kind. I really appreciated the effort they made to include me in their… read more

(Excellent)

27 Oct 2022

Left by Workawayer (Katie) for host

This was my first workaway experience. From our first video call, I could sense the family's warmth and welcoming nature. The family as a whole made efforts to make me feel at home and comfortable. I could also feel that they were comfortable with me from the very beginning, which was nice. Communication was always good and frequent and if… read more something was unclear, I always felt comfortable to reach out and ask.

The space: Villard de Lans is a cute (and tiny) town in the French Alps. I definitely will say that you have to be a nature lover and/or not have a problem with having to commute to get to other places as the house is about a 30 minute walk from town and then about an hour bus ride to the nearest city of Grenoble (known as the capital of the alps). The Vercors area is absolutely STUNNING. During the days, i would go on hours long hikes with views that absolutely took my breath away. Everyone assured me it was totally safe to do so, and once you're on the trails and encounter locals, you feel that this is true. There isn't much to do in the town, especially after exploring it for a couple of days, which is why i feel you must be fond of the outdoors as it will be your entertainment throughout the weeks. On weekends/free days, it is very easy to explore nearby cities by bus or train out of Grenoble. Lyon, Annecy, Geneva, Turin are all within 3 hours bus ride and worth a visit. The house is beautiful with a modern vibe and tons of natural light. I had my own room with a large walk in closet and bathroom. It was very comfortable and plenty of space for myself.

The work: it was very minimal for the most part. Getting the girls ready for school, snack time, some play time before a shower and getting ready for bed. Some light cooking on days mom and dad worked late. Nothing crazy. Margaux was great about letting you know with plenty of time if/when she needed you, etc. The girls have a busy schedule that involves a lot of extra curricular activities which you are welcome to attend or use the time for yourself. They also ask that you keep your space clean, which should be a given and if it's not, maybe you shouldn't be considering something like this in the first place.

The girls: Claris and Garance are 6 years old and like any other kid at that age, very lively, curious, stubborn, and playful. You MUST have a lot of patience and energy to keep up with them. They are at an age where they want to assert some independence and get easily frustrated if they don't have their way. You have to get creative with how to keep them engaged or get them to participate. This is a family that does not rely on TV/Screens to keep the girls entertained (which i applaud), therefore you cannot expect to just switch on a movie or tv show for them to keep them satisfied; there is no TV in the house. They love to read, or rather be read to as they are just learning their alphabet in school, playing, puzzles, trampoline, etc. They warm up to you very quickly and want very much to be in your space and you in theirs.

Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The family are primarily looking for an English-speaking presence so that the girls don't forget the language. This made it easy to communicate with each other. I really enjoyed dinner time as a family, learning more about each other and our different cultures, trying new foods (and cheeses, as this is a HUGE PART of French culture), and exchanging stories. I also enjoyed meeting some of their family and neighbors- they were all so friendly! I will forever remember my time spent in Villard de Lans with Christophe, Margaux, Claris, and Garance.

(Very good)

30 Jun 2022

Left by Workawayer (Swathi) for host

This was my first Workaway trip and I could not recommend it enough!! Margaux, Christophe and the two sweet girls are very welcoming and make you feel like you are part of the family. I felt included and supported, but also had plenty of autonomy to explore and enjoy the beautiful location. They were also very helpful when it came to practicing my… read more

(Excellent)

30 Apr 2022

Left by Workawayer (Annie) for host

This was my first workaway experience and I would say I got really lucky. Margaux and Christophe were very welcoming, as were their sweet daughters Claris and Garance! The girls are only 5 (almost 6) and they are very mature and capable girls. From the moment I arrived they showed me to my room, Margaux cooked dinner, and everyone tried to make me… read more

(Excellent)

19 Apr 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Maisie)

Unfortunately things didn’t work out with Maisie. We had agreed to host her for 3 months and thus were counting on her help for the duration of her stay. We had even bought her a ski season pass (because of the length of her stay). After a few weeks, she suddenly decided to leave. According to her, she was missing her family. We could sense she… read more

(Negative)

22 Feb 2022

Left by Workawayer (Maisie) for host

Would not recommend for a first time au pair.

(Neutral)

31 Oct 2021

Left by Workawayer (Zayah) for host

My experience with this family was one of a kind. As soon as I walked in the door Claris and Garance greeted me with a drawing and grabbing my hands to go play. Margaux and Christophe are quite kind, generous, and welcoming people. They helped me accomplish any aspirations that I had in mind. Such as, only speaking french to me when the girls were… read more

(Excellent)

2 Aug 2021

Left by Workawayer (Morgan) for host

Margaux and Christophe are wonderful people and extremely kind hosts. They will make an effort to get to know you, as well as make your trip as cultural and pleasant as possible.

If you are into the outdoors - hiking, biking, skiing, nature, wide open spaces, peace and quiet - this is absolutely the workaway for you and will probably feel like… read more

(Very good)

5 Jan 2021

Left by Workawayer (Peggy) for host

I spent 6 months with Margaux, Christophe, Claris and Garance in Villard-de-Lans and I couldn't have wished for a better first Workaway experience! It has been the most enjoyable, interesting and fulfilling experience I have had and I will always, always be very grateful for my time here.

Having spent a number of years in the US Margaux and… read more Christophe both understand how it feels to be away from home and therefore have always been so welcoming and caring and have always done as much as they can to make me feel at home. As soon as I arrived they welcomed me into their home, made me feel like part of the family and throughout the experience have always shared their hobbies with me by including me in fantastic days out doing a range of activities such as hiking or mountain biking.

Margaux and Christophe are fun, active and always encourage you to make the most out of your experience. During my time here I have had the opportunity to do more hiking, mountain biking, skiing and exploring than I have ever done before. Villard-de-Lans is a beautiful town with cute shops, cafes, delicious bakeries and endless trails to explore (the apartment is only a few minutes walk to the town which also has two little supermarkets and the trails can be accessed from the back garden!). If you're happy to be outdoors and enjoy good weather and mountain views, this is the perfect place to be! However, Grenoble is an easy bus ride (also with beautiful views) away should you want a bit of city time.

As well as spending a lot of time outdoors, thanks to both Margaux and Christophe I have learnt to speak French and have had loads of fun, interesting and enriching conversations comparing and contrasting both our languages and our culture! We have also had fun cooking for each other to share our favourite English and French dishes.

And of course, the most important mention...the girls! It has been a pleasure to spend time with both Claris and Garance and watch them grow. They are happy, fun and loving little girls who continuously amaze me with their language ability! They both love to have stories read to them and always ask questions when there are English words they do not understand. I have truly enjoyed watching their English vocabulary grow. They make me smile and laugh on a daily basis and are a both a delight to spend time with.

I finish my time with Margaux, Christophe, Claris and Garance with a very full heart and feeling entirely grateful and thankful to them for both everything I have had the opportunity to experience and for everything that I have learnt. Being away from home can be daunting but I finish this experience having gained friends for life, having learned a new language and feeling happier, healthier and more confident than I have before.
I will miss them all dearly and I would recommend Margaux, Christophe and the girls without a shadow of a doubt!

(Excellent)

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Enthusiastic native English speaker needed in the beautiful French Alps in Villard-de-Lans, France

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Description

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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

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Projects involving children

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A little more information

How many Workawayers can stay?

Feedback (12)

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