My mother-in-law lives alone on a rural property in the Pyrénées foothills, between Mirepoix and Limoux (Aude/Ariège border). She’s 80, still fully independent and still drives, but naturally we’d all feel better knowing there’s someone reliable nearby.
We’re looking for a couple to move into a self-contained annex on the property — a genuine, declared, paid position (not an exchange-for-lodging arrangement), combining:
Property, garden and pool maintenance
General household work and odd jobs
Dog and cat care
A regular, informal, friendly check-in — this is not a care role, and we’re not looking to frame it as one, but her wellbeing is obviously part of why this matters to us
Roughly 20–25 hrs/week combined between the two of you. In return: a rent-free annex, a salary, and a genuinely beautiful, peaceful setting in the foothills.
What we’re looking for:
A couple (not single applicants)
EU passport holders
Fluent in English and good French
Solid experience in home/property maintenance, with references we can actually check
Comfortable with the informal welfare-check side without it being a substitute for professional care
We’re aiming to interview in October, with a view to someone moving in around Christmas.
I saw a thread on here a while back (“Have you hired a caretaker?”) with people asking similar questions about pay and arrangements for this kind of role — happy to answer anything similar here if it’s useful to others too, or feel free to message me directly if you (or someone you know) might be a fit.
Welcome Dan, but how close are her neighbours, how long has she lived there, and is there not an arrangement with good neighbours possible in the vicinity?
I mention all this because I am 3 years older than her, live alone since my wife died over 2 years ago but have first class neighbours who keep an eye on me and come to help at the drop of a hat. I also have had one heart attack, and 2 serious falls, one in the nearby forest and another at home, all 3 have provoked an immediate response.
In addition, my son who lives overseas has bought and ensured I wear an Apple Watch which keeps a check on me and will notify both emergency services and neighbours if I come to grief without me doing a thing because it is satellite connected.
Finally, I have an arrangement with a friend to text a brief OK every noon which prompts a return call or visit if it doesn’t arrive.
Apologies if you have thought of all these things and found them impossible but, if not, something to think about.
Thanks for the thoughts, David. Yes, we have some similar arrangements - but the place is quite remote and she’d definitely appreciate some help around the place too.
Have you also looked into the steps and costs of becoming an employer? It’s not as straightforward here as in UK as you will have to pay their cotisations
If relying on neighbours isn’t an option, have you considered contacting an ‘aide á domicile’ in the nearest town? They are specialised in this kind of thing. A quick Google search found a few places in Mirepoix. I’d try contacting them, if I were you.
As Jane says, you’re going to have to jump through a lot of hoops if you want to employ someone (and if you want to hire a couple you’ll have to pay social charges twice).
You may even find your mother-in-law is entitled to use CESU to help pay for aide á domicile too.
Another solution MAYBE, why not broach the subject of selling the property and MIL buying a smaller place either in a village/small town location where she can be helped a lot easier than a remote huge place with, what sounds a lot of work both outside and in hence need for someone on site to keep it in good condition as well as look out for her. I’m a great many years younger than your MIL but I was left with a large property to keep going and since selling up and moving to a new much smaller property with just enough garden to keep up easily I have been much happier and having neighbours too. You have to be well aware of employing anyone here, the rules are usually on their side in disputes and having live-in persons who make it their home could also be fraught with problems when MIL dies or does not want them anymore especially if she had to go into a care home and the property be sold to finance it. What sound like practicalities does not always work here with strict rules and charges to be paid
It may even work for what he is wanting? If it is a smallish salary per week for a set group of jobs for each person? I’m not sure on limits of time ect with CESU but in theory each of the couple can be paid (as an example) their 15 hours per week with her getting the tax help and the CESU system sorting all the complex stuff?
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