Signing up to be an Au Pair is perhaps one of the most common ways for young people to spend time abroad for prolonged periods of time without breaking the bank or having to weasel into some highly skilled job to get sponsored.
Spend the Summer in Paris?
As everyone well knows, an amazing option to travel and receive accommodation, is being an Au Pair for a young family. This option usually includes a contract, visa and almost full-time work hours. A lesser known option however is becoming a live-in English teacher! These arrangements generally last 3 months and are open to natives of English speaking countries.
Commonly available in families in France, Italy and Spain. This option is especially attractive to both parties as you won’t need a visa to stay for a 90 day period. You will find these children will generally be under 3. As children under this age are not permitted to have international Au Pairs (at least this is the case in France). As a live-in tutor you will be expected to spend up to 15 hours a week speaking to the child in English and hanging out with them, so they learn the language naturally through immersion, rather than in a teacher capacity. This means avoiding the babysitting and caring tasks that generally come with Au Pairing!
The only thing to note is as of 2024, but coming into action 2025 most countries that were traditionally visa upon arrival will be required to fill out a electronic arrival authorisation on the EU website: Schengen Zone Arrival Authorisation. However, it isn’t anything to worry about. It is not a visa, simply an entry authorisation that is easy to apply for and lasts for 3 years. Pretty much the same as The US’ ESTA for entry or transit through the USA.
Let’s get back to the experience though!
Being a live-in English tutor in Paris
- During summer: Summer is often the most popular time for travellers to Paris, and it is an amazing time, but not my number 1 recommended time to go. It is beautiful and sunny, but can get extremely hot. With limited swimming spots and no sea breeze, the weeks over 34 degrees can get very tough.
- During winter: Going during winter is only a good option if it’s your only option. Parisian winters are cold, wet grey and dreary. Paris has an Atlantic climate and therefore in Winter you commonly won’t see the sun for weeks at a time. Definitely not the best vibe to introduce you to Paris, but still better than not going at all.
- The shoulder seasons: The shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn must be the best time to spend 3 months in Paris. The weather is gorgeous, you miss the packed summer season and you get to immerse yourself amongst real Parisians, as they often leave on holiday during the height of Summer.
The Neighbourhoods of Paris (l’arrondissements):
The inner quartiers: Generally considered, quartiers 1-11 are considered inner/ central quartiers of Paris. If you are in this area, you are super well connected and metro lines range from line 1-10 for the mostly inner parts of Paris, and 1-7 servicing the real inner neighbourhoods and all the most famous tourist spots.
The suburbs: Outside of the inner quartiers of Paris, there are neighbourhoods of Paris often popular with families. These neighbourhoods are often connected by train lines called “RER_” followed be A,B, C etc. These neighbourhoods consist of more spacious living and larger stand-alone houses. I lived in the neighbourhood of Antony, which is quite far out, but there are closer neighbourhoods to Paris that are popular with families. Passy is an example of one of these neighbourhoods. Although, I must add most of these families are expats.
Quartier ratings:
- Le Marais: an inner neighbourhood (4th arrondissement) perfect for those wanting to walk everywhere. Including the iconic Seine River and Louvre Museum. This neighbourhood is known for its style, unique boutiques and small shops, multicultural atmosphere and ever-growing arts scene.
- Montparnasse: this neighbourhood is the 14th arrondissement and is a well-rounded quartier with thriving night life, bars, restaurants and streets filled with activity. Metro line 4 runs through Montparnasse helpfully connecting Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est.
- St-Germain-Des-Pres: this neighbourhood is the 6th arrondissement
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How to find my French family?
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