A Belgian shepherd dog, three cats and a few chickens need you in Provence

We are looking for a couple who would enjoy spending time in a very desirable location in Provence, close to St. Rémy, Avignon, Arles and Aix-en-Provence, and would commit to taking care of our pets, especially in the evenings and during the weekends, when our caretaker and our gardener are absent from the estate. Although we love children, we cannot accept families with kids. The house-sitter couple would be required to take the dog for daily walks, for about one hour (if there is no rain or strong wind), feed him, the cats and the hens, clean their quaters and keep the latter safe by closing their courtyard in the evening. Helping with weeding the three rows of lavender in front of the house and watering our potted plants as well as removing dead leaves will amount to about two more hours of work per person per day. The house sitters are asked to do their best to keep the potted plants healthy. If you are interested in working more, you could at times earn some money by helping with house-keeping or extra garden work, but this is NOT a must, NOR can we promise this extra help is needed. In exchange for all of the above, you would inhabit a nice house with all amenities and all utilities for free and enjoy its lovely garden, orchard and its typically Provencal atmosphere. While our area offers a lot of historic, cultural and geographical attractions, we ask our house sitters to visit them during the week on day trips, and spend all nights and most of the weekends on the estate. Sightseeing during the week is preferable indeed, as over the weekends tourist sites are very crowded. You can manage your time as you wish during the workdays, 8:00 am - 5:30pm. If you need to travel during the time you spend on our property, we could come and replace you for a week, if notice is given at least two weeks in advance.

Feeding the dog, cats and chickens. Watching over their wellbeing, taking the dog for two daily walks along the roads outside and around the estate. Presence on our property is required at night, every night, and most of the day during weekends. (No absences over 4 hours over the weekends.) Trips to neighbouring towns and to the seaside can be taken during the week, 8:00 AM to 5:30 pm, when they are less crowded. Help with potted plants, some weeding in the garden and a weekly cleaning of the chicken quaters will amount to two hours per day per person during working days. If interested and available, you could help in the household, for which you would be rewarded according to a mutual agreement. Keeping the house in which you reside clean and tidy as well as mowing the lawn in front of it will be required as part of the house-sitting agreement.