House Sitting in France – Holiday by the sea

Two cats, a house with a pool, and the sea just ten minutes away. House Sitting in France by the Mediterranean coast was almost too good to be true. And the best part? I stayed in this dream home free of charge, while the owners were able to enjoy their own holiday with peace of mind, knowing their cats were being lovingly cared for.

This experience reminded me once again how much trust, gratitude and joy there is in looking after someone’s home and pets.

In this article I’ll share my story of house sitting in France by the sea in Provence, and give you a few tips if you’d like to try it yourself.

Settling in: the feeling of house sitting in France

I was lucky with my host once again. She was warm, welcoming, and seemed more concerned about us feeling comfortable than about the sit itself.

Together with her husband, she handed over their beautiful three-storey home with a garden and swimming pool, tucked away between pine forests and vineyards – a little slice of paradise.

The village of Sausset-les-Pins is only about ten minutes from the sea. Even the short drive to the coast became a daily highlight, passing goats, lavender fields, and breathing in that unmistakable scent of Provence.

It felt like the perfect example of what house sitting in France can be: in exchange for your help with the pets and garden, you get to live like a local in an incredible setting.

Mina and Marou – Our cats

Our main job was simple: take care of the two cats, Mina and Marou. Mina got dry food morning and evening, Marou only wet food – easy enough.

During the hottest hours (38–40°C), they wisely disappeared outside to shady spots. 

Tip: In my article “The Top 3 Platforms for House Sitting,” I compare three platforms and show you how to get 25% off when you sign up.

5 tips for house sitting by the sea in southern France

1. Keeping the garden alive in the summer heat

If you’re planning on house sitting in France, be ready for a bit of southern charm and southern heat. Summers here are intense, and not just for you. The garden, the pool, even the cats feel it.

I followed the owner’s instructions carefully when watering the plants, because she knew them best. Doing it early in the morning or late in the evening was not only sensible, but actually quite calming (and often refreshing, too).

It’s a small task, but a good example of the house sitting deal.

2. Feeding cats – guarding the bowls from intruders

Looking after the cats came with its own little quirks. Their bowls had to be cleaned every day, otherwise flies and wasps showed up faster than you could say bon appétit.

We also had to keep a close eye on the feeding spot. Our cats weren’t the only ones in the village, about twenty others wandered around, always curious.

Part of our daily routine was making sure the food in the kitchen didn’t get raided by these furry “visitors”. I’m pretty sure we accidentally fed a few impostors now and then.

As the saying goes: at night, all cats look the same.

3. Pool duties – keeping the critters out

The pool also needed attention. If you don’t want little creatures throwing their own pool party, don’t leave things lying around and give the water a quick skim in the morning.

You’d be surprised what turns up – from leaves to millipedes that clearly took a wrong turn.

4. Shifting your daily rhythm

The Provençal heat quickly teaches you to adapt. Between 1 and 5 pm, temperatures sometimes climbed to 40°C, so we stayed indoors or in the cool cellar.

It turned out to be the perfect time for reading, catching up on work, or having a nap.

Early mornings and evenings, however, were when we became most active: swimming, going for walks, and exploring the little French villages. That’s exactly when Provence shows itself from its most beautiful side.

Honestly, if house sitting always looked like this, I don’t see myself travelling any other way anymore.

5. Keep it light – clothes that work

When it comes to clothes, light and airy is the way to go. I spent most days in a beach dress or shorts, feeling somewhere between local and carefree traveller.

Flip-flops for the pool and trainers for little day trips were more than enough. Since we never set foot in a big city, heels would’ve been a waste of suitcase space.

Discovering the Côte d’Azur through house sitting

I never expected the Côte d’Azur to feel so relaxed and authentic. The sea was turquoise and crystal clear, the air filled with the smell of pine trees.

The only thing that slowed us down? Herds of goats crossing the road. And yes, sometimes even wild boar.

My tip: keep your eyes open when driving and maybe skip late-night walks in the forest.

Provence & Rosé – a perfect match

Here’s something I didn’t know before this trip: Provence is famous for its rosé wine.

Our host took us to the local wine co-op, Coopérative Vinicole La Venise Provençale, just a few days after we arrived. A small, friendly place where we bought a whole crate of rosé. Chilled by the sea, it was hands down the best refreshment.

Another perk: Budget traveling like this also let you discover local gems you’d probably never find on a regular holiday.

Why house sitting in France is worth it

This sit was the perfect mix of responsibility, relaxation, and living like a local. With the sea so close, happy pets to care for, and a house that quickly felt like home, it was the kind of experience I’d happily repeat.

If you’re dreaming of a summer in the South of France – lavender, sunshine, cats and rosé included – then house sitting in France is one of the most rewarding ways to make it happen.

Especially by the sea, you can soak up the Côte d’Azur or Provence at a fraction of the usual cost. In exchange for your help, you don’t just save money, you gain the chance to experience the culture in a deeper, more authentic way.

House sitting isn’t just a budget-friendly alternative, it’s one of the most meaningful ways to travel.