How to Become an Au Pair in France: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Starting

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How I Became an Au Pair in France (And What the Process Was Really Like)

1. Why I Decided to Become an Au Pair

I didn’t decide to become an au pair because I had always dreamed of doing it or because I had some huge calling to work in childcare abroad. Honestly, the idea just kind of came about.

The summer before my last year of college, I studied abroad in New Zealand. Toward the end of my time there, I also spent two weeks in Australia, and one of those weeks I traveled completely on my own. On the flight home from Australia, sitting in the airport waiting to board, I remember realizing something very clearly: I didn’t want the adventure to end.

That was the moment I really caught the travel bug.

So when I got home, I held onto that feeling. I knew that after graduating, I wanted to travel again, but I wanted to do it in a way that allowed me to stay somewhere longer without blowing through all my savings.

After doing some research, I found a program called Global Work & Travel. They offer a variety of international work programs, but one option is helping people become au pairs abroad. They guide you through the process of finding a host family, completing paperwork, and preparing for the move.

That’s ultimately the route I decided to take. If you’re curious about the program I used, you can check out Global Work & Travel Here.

2. How I Found My Host Family

The process starts with building a profile. This includes filling out paperwork, answering questions about yourself, and writing short essays about your personality, experience with kids, and what you’re looking for in a host family.

Once that’s completed, the matching process begins.

Since I went through Global Work & Travel, I didn’t personally search for families myself. Instead, they work with certified local agencies in each country. Those agencies share your profile with families who are actively looking for an au pair.

When a family is interested, their profile gets sent to you, and you can decide if you’d like to schedule a video call with them.

This is really where you get a feel for whether it might be a good match. You can ask questions about their routines, expectations, the kids, and what daily life would look like.

It’s important to remember that the first family you talk to might not be the right one, and that’s completely okay. Eventually, you’ll find a family that feels like a good fit on both sides.

Another popular option many au pairs use is Au Pair World. I personally didn’t use it, but I know plenty of other au pairs who did and had great experiences.

3. Basic Requirements to Become an Au Pair

The requirements to become an au pair aren’t overly complicated.

Generally, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have a valid passport

• Have no criminal record

• Be comfortable working with children

Most families tend to look for au pairs between 18 and 27, though it can vary depending on the country.

Some families may prefer applicants who already have childcare experience, while others are more flexible. Language requirements can also vary.

For example, I came to France with very little French knowledge, and my host family was completely fine with that.

That said, I’ve since started learning using the language app Memrise, which has been a really helpful way to pick up vocabulary and practice at my own pace.

4. The Visa and Application Process

This part can vary a lot depending on the country you choose.

Originally, I actually planned to be an au pair in Spain. But the visa process there is fairly extensive and can take six months or more to gather all the necessary paperwork.

Because of that, I eventually decided to look into France instead—and honestly, I’m so glad I did.

France’s application process was much more straightforward. Once I matched with my host family, they handled a large portion of the paperwork required for the visa. I then used those documents to apply for my au pair visa.

Once I officially decided on France, from start to finish—interviews, matching with a family, submitting paperwork, and getting approved—the whole process took about two months for me.

Of course, timelines will vary depending on the country and individual situation, but overall, it was much smoother than I expected.

5. What Au Pairs Actually Get

One of the biggest perks of being an au pair is that most of your major living expenses are covered.

Typically, au pairs receive:

• Free housing with the host family

• Meals and groceries

• Weekly spending money (often called “pocket money”)

• A set schedule with days off

Because you’re not paying rent or buying groceries, a lot of the money you earn can go toward exploring or traveling.

That said, au pairs aren’t paid a large wage. If you’re hoping to travel a lot during your time abroad, I definitely recommend saving some money before you go.

Also, remember: you do still have a job. You’ll have responsibilities with the kids and won’t be able to travel constantly.

But one of the best parts of au pairing in Europe is how easy it is to travel. Trains, buses, and budget flights make weekend trips very doable. I personally use Omio whenever I’m booking trains or buses around Europe, and it’s made planning trips incredibly simple.

6. What I Was Nervous About

Before moving, I don’t think there was one specific thing that scared me most. It was more just the unknown of everything.

Moving to a country where I didn’t speak the language yet.
Living in someone else’s home with people I’d only talked to once on video.
Arriving somewhere where I didn’t know a single person.

All of those things were intimidating.

But I didn’t let the fear stop me from taking the leap—and I’m so glad I didn’t.

7. My Biggest Tips for Future Au Pairs

1. Be patient when matching with a family.
It might take a few interviews before you find the right fit, and that’s completely normal.

2. Don’t overly romanticize the experience before you arrive.
The first month can be challenging. You’re adjusting to a new home, new routines, and sometimes a new language. Give yourself time to settle in.

3. Embrace every part of the experience.
The exciting moments, the hard moments, even the ordinary ones. They’re all part of what makes living abroad so meaningful.

8. Is Being an Au Pair Worth It?

For me, the answer is absolutely yes.

Even with the ups and downs, I wouldn’t change a thing. The places I’ve been able to visit, the people I’ve met, and the personal growth that’s come from living abroad have all been priceless.

This experience has already changed me in ways I probably don’t even fully realize yet.

If you’re considering becoming an au pair—or honestly any opportunity that allows you to live abroad—my advice is simple:

Take the chance.

It doesn’t have to be au pairing specifically, but whatever opportunity is calling you… You probably won’t regret saying yes to it.

Resources That Helped Me Become an Au Pair

If you're thinking about becoming an au pair or traveling long-term, here are a few resources that made the process much easier for me.

Finding an Au Pair Program

If you're just starting to explore the idea, these are two of the most popular ways people find host families:

• Global Work & Travel – This is the program I personally used. They helped guide me through the entire process, from building my profile to matching with a host family and preparing for the move abroad. If you're someone who likes having support and guidance along the way, this can be a really helpful option.

• Au Pair World – Another very popular platform that many au pairs use to find host families directly. I’ve met several au pairs here in France who used it and had great experiences.

Learning the Language

• Memrise – Since arriving in France, I’ve been using this app to help learn French. It’s been really helpful for building vocabulary and practicing a little bit every day without it feeling overwhelming.

Booking Travel Around Europe

• Omio – This is the site I use almost every time I book trains or buses around Europe. It makes it really easy to compare routes, prices, and travel times all in one place.

My Favorite Travel Essentials

These are a few things I’ve used constantly while traveling around Europe as an au pair:

• Carry-On Travel Backpack – Perfect for weekend trips when you don’t want to deal with checked luggage.

• Packing Cubes – These make packing so much easier and help keep everything organized.

• Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag – I used this everywhere when traveling in Spain and other cities. It’s lightweight, secure, and perfect for walking around all day.