Cultural exchange
Au Pair in France
A stay with a French host family combining help with the children, a language course and daily life in the language you are learning.
What the programme is
The language course is part of the stay
France treats the Au Pair stay as a linguistic and cultural exchange, and the language course is not an optional extra: enrolment in French classes is a structural part of the programme, and the schedule with the family is built around it.
The stay is defined in a written agreement between the young person and the host family covering the hours, the free time, the pocket money, the room and the course. That document is what makes the arrangement clear on both sides.
It is a cultural exchange, not employment. The value of the stay is the language and the experience of living inside a French household, and it should be chosen for that reason.
General conditions
What a stay usually involves
The specific terms come from the agreement with the family and the framework in force. Each element is confirmed case by case, never assumed.
- An age range set by the programme framework
- A defined stay, generally from three to twelve months
- A basic level of French at the start of the stay
- A written placement agreement with the host family
- Compulsory enrolment in a French language course
- Childcare help on an agreed weekly schedule
- Board, lodging and a private room
- Pocket money set in the agreement
- Insurance and registration formalities as required
- Experience with children, documented where possible
How we work on it
Coordination, not guarantees
We assess the profile, prepare the dossier, coordinate the presentation to families, review the placement agreement before it is signed and accompany the documentation and any visa file the nationality requires.
No host family, visa, placement or travel date can be guaranteed. The family makes its own choice and the immigration decision belongs to the competent authorities.
An Au Pair placement is a cultural exchange programme, not ordinary employment. We cannot guarantee a host family, a visa, a placement or a travel date: each programme depends on eligibility, documentation, the host family and the decision of the competent authorities. Participation in the United States is subject to an authorised sponsor, a host family, eligibility, documentation, an interview and the corresponding visa.
A country appearing on this website does not mean that a job offer, a study place or an open intake exists. Every opportunity is subject to availability, requirements, selection, admission, contract and immigration authorization.
Questions
Au Pair in France — questions
Is the French course compulsory?
Enrolment in a language course is a structural part of the programme in France, and the schedule with the family has to leave room for it. It is one of the elements confirmed before the stay is agreed.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your nationality. EU nationals move under free movement rules; others require the authorization that corresponds to the programme, prepared with an authorised professional and decided by the competent authorities.
What if the placement does not work out?
It happens, and the written agreement is what protects both sides when it does. It sets out the notice period and the conditions for ending the stay. We ask candidates to read it carefully before signing rather than after a problem appears.
Next step
Want to be an Au Pair in France?
Send your age, your French level, your experience with children and your available dates. We assess the profile against the programme requirements.
Transparency
Immigration Disclaimer
Arlen Global Mobility provides immigration consultancy and mobility coordination services. It is not a law firm. Legal representation and specialized legal assistance are provided by qualified immigration and foreign-nationality lawyers with whom we coordinate when required.
Arlen Global Mobility provides immigration consultancy and mobility coordination services. Immigration applications and legal matters may be handled in coordination with qualified immigration and foreign-nationality lawyers when specialized legal assistance or representation is required.
Visa decisions, residence permits and work authorizations are issued exclusively by the competent authorities. Requirements and eligibility vary according to nationality, destination, profession and individual circumstances.
Arlen Global Mobility does not guarantee visa approval, immigration authorization or employment.