A Day in My Life as an Au Pair in France: Routine, Travel, and Small Rituals

Peek behind the scenes of life as an au pair in France! From morning routines to afternoon classes, weekend adventures, and small rituals that make a foreign place feel like home, see how I balance work, personal time, and exploration.

AU PAIR LIFE IN FRANCE

3/9/20263 min read

Morning Routine

I usually wake up at 7 a.m.—just enough time to put on a cute outfit, do my skincare, and brush or style my hair. This takes about 25 minutes, and then it’s time to start my au pair duties. I like to keep things simple and efficient.

Getting the Kids Ready

I don’t have to wake the kids myself; their parents usually handle that. While they get ready, I make breakfast—usually cereal with fruit, a boiled egg, or sometimes bread with butter, yogurt, and a small treat. During this time, I also enjoy my morning tea and tackle any kitchen cleanup, like unloading the dishwasher.

Once breakfast is done, we walk the 5–7 minutes to school, which is so convenient. I love that small walk—it’s a nice way to start the day.

Mid-Morning: Personal Tasks & Home Organization

After dropping the kids off, I tidy up their rooms, make beds, and start laundry—typically on Mondays and Tuesdays. Once that’s underway, I enjoy a quiet breakfast and coffee, then tackle my personal work, like editing Instagram content. (If you want a peek into my routine, follow me @nina.infrance.)

I like keeping this part of the morning consistent—it’s a time to focus, create, and stay organized.

Afternoons: Classes & Personal Time

Afternoons vary depending on the day:

Monday & Thursday: I have a workout class, usually gone from 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., including a 45-minute walk to get there. (link to similar workout gear I wear)
Tuesday: French class from 2–3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Shorter day since the kids are only at school until 11:30 a.m.
Friday: Online French lesson (~50 minutes)

Most afternoons are mine to enjoy personal time or run errands. I love having that flexibility—it lets me build a routine that works around my au pair duties.

Late Afternoon & Evening

School pickup times vary:

Monday & Friday: 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 4:45 p.m.

After pickup, I help with afterschool snacks, make sure the kids have everything ready for evening activities, and help with dinner prep. Sometimes this is peeling vegetables, setting the table, or supervising while the parents cook. After dinner, I usually handle cleanup while the parents get the kids ready for bed. Once in a while, I put the kids to bed if the parents have plans.

Weekends & Travel

I’m off Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, though sometimes the family’s schedule gives me a full Saturday too. These blocks of time are perfect for weekend trips, either overnight or day trips. For example, I recently went to Barcelona for a week when the family went on vacation—an amazing experience I’ll write about soon. I brought my crossbody bag everywhere I went, and it was so convenient, making getting around the city so much easier.

When planning trips, I always use Omio to book trains, and I swear by my carry-on backpack (this a link to one similar) and packing cubes to travel efficiently.

Small Rituals That Make France Feel Like Home

Even with a structured routine, I’ve found little habits that make this place feel like mine:

Relaxing evenings with a show or book (I love reading on my Kindle)
Going to workout classes to feel connected to the local community
Walking around my neighborhood, visiting the nearby park, and noticing the small things

These rituals give me a sense of stability and belonging.

Reflections on Au Pair Life

Being an au pair has combined work, travel, and personal growth in ways I never imagined. I’m learning about other cultures, building confidence, and discovering more about myself every day. If you’re curious about becoming an au pair, I highly recommend checking out Au Pair World or Global Work & Travel (use code: NINA330) to find opportunities and get started.

Life as an au pair isn’t always glamorous—it’s a balance of responsibilities and freedom—but the experiences, personal growth, and travel opportunities are priceless.