To take advantage of their free time, some seniors go on trips to the four corners of France, and sometimes even abroad. All without paying for their accommodation.
At first glance, the agenda of these retirees resembles that of organized globetrotters, alternating between sea, countryside and big cities throughout the seasons. They don’t win the lottery, don’t own second homes and don’t spend their nights in airports. Their way of traveling is based on a well-established system, meeting the needs of many owners. Thanks to this system, everyone sees their benefit and the elderly reduce their costs while being at a lower cost.
Indeed, in a context where the cost of seasonal rentals is soaring, a concept is gaining ground, halfway between solidarity and organized service. Available seniors, often former executives, craftsmen or civil servants, offer their presence while others are absent, on business trips or extended stays, thus making it possible to occupy accommodation and maintain normal life in the premises. Their role is not limited to being present, since they also carry out daily tasks such as watering plants, routine maintenance of the garden, collecting mail and, very often, caring for pets. For owners, the interest is obvious, because an inhabited house gives the impression of never being empty and the habits of the household are respected.
The operation is based on specialized structures which connect the two parties, check the profiles, ensure the motivation of the candidates and regulate the conditions of the stay, with prior discussions to precisely define the expectations, constraints and duration of the mission. Seniors are not paid, but they stay on site for free, sometimes in tourist regions where they would not otherwise have considered staying. This mechanism is called house-sitting, or house-sitting by senior volunteers.
Organizations for these stays emphasize reliability, daily life experience and respect for the place, with identity checks and, in some cases, background checks. Before each departure, an initial contact allows the practical details to be agreed, then an on-site meeting is often planned the day before to tour the accommodation, understand how the equipment works and learn about the animals’ habits. The framework is contractual, the roles are defined, and everyone knows what they must do during the absence of the occupants.
As you will have understood, this organization opens the door to motivated retirees for several stays per year, sometimes lasting several weeks, in very different contexts, without the financial pressure linked to accommodation. In short, a good way to travel the country inexpensively.
