Why you should experience au pair in the Alps?

Are you planning to be an au pair in France and you’re hesitating between some cities? Are you interested in fresh air and nature?  Do you like skiing or would you like to learn? The Alps fit you perfectly. If not, you could be attracted to other qualities of the region. This type of region is really touristic all year round, so it’s the perfect place to meet people and get some contacts around the world.

New horizons for your au pair experience

I’m a Marseille resident, for me the mountain landscape is incredibly beautiful. It’s really different from the seas' area or big city as Paris. Actually, French people are really lucky about that because everywhere we can go for holidays, we can discover new horizons. If you come from the city, it’s a good opportunity to move and change the boring scenery you have at yours.

Mountain doesn’t mean winter only, there are so many activities (cultural or sports) to do in summer, fall or spring. First, the scenery changes and you have a new environment to discover. Plus, depending on the town where you are, you can go to the beach, lake beaches are common in the mountains, go hiking, picnicking in a field, mountain biking, paintball, tennis, etc. A lot of ski stations offer various animations outside the ski season.

The must visit areas

Regardless where you’re going to live as an au pair, there are some places I advise you to be next to or to visit: 

• Annecy, one of the most beautiful cities in France, called The Venice of the Alps. Famous for its lake, the city has two beaches, few swimming pools, an ice rink, several facilities with free access and many other sports and cultural activities to do.
• La Cluza, known as a ski station, it’s not a good spot just in winter. You can go hiking, summer sledging, paragliding, climbing, kayaking and other water activities, or go to a skate park, an ice rink and others.
• Mevège, in the south of the Alps, is a ski station. Its “Palais” is the largest sports complex in the Alps and it’s open all year round and has 11 different areas: aquatic, ice, climbing, fitness, well-being, etc. You have the possibility to do air activities as well (paragliding, skydiving, hot air ballooning).
• Avoriaz, another ski station which is full of things to do whatever the season. In summer, you can do mini-golf, bowling, hiking, volleyball, canyoning, etc. And in winter, you can visit the ice village, you can do an escape game, ice diving, biathlon and others.
• Genève, a swiss city in the North of the Alps and not far away from the Jura mountains as well. The town offers exceptional views of the majestic Mont Blanc, while you can do a cruise on the Leman lake.

Among these places, I’m sure you will find something to do. Don’t hesitate to share your experience with us on social networks or on the WhatsApp group to the Butrfly community.

The mountain food

In the mountains, there are some specialities typical of the region, where the most of the meal is made up of cheese. Indeed, there is the famous Fondue, Raclette or Tartiflette. Depending on the area where you’re going to go, the cheese is different and the taste as well. If you are a food lover or just a cheese lover, it could be interesting for you to have a trip around the Alps for trying the different types of Fondues and Raclette. Actually, for the Tartiflette it's the meat which is going to be disparate.

According to the family you're going to live with, the parents may like making salty crepes, still with cheese and meat, or some other meals with morteau sausage, the best type of sausage in my opinion, or famous cheeses like Mont d’Or, Tomme, Comté, etc.

Ski stations (obviously)

I couldn’t write about the Alps without mentioning it. Whatever your skills level, you can’t miss the opportunity to learn or improve your skiing skills. There are so many stations and if you are living at the bottom of the mountain, don’t worry, you can take the bus and except the winter outfit you need to buy, you can rent all materials at the station. If you get bored with one station, change to another one and have new ski slopes. There are so many stations: La Plagne, Morzine, Avoriaz, Méribel, Chamonix, Mevège, Serre-Chevalier, La Cluza, etc. Mind, the Alps are a huge area, so there are the North Alps and the South Alps. If you are in the North, try to visit this region first before trying a road trip in the South 😉

But if you don’t like skiing, snowboarding could be an alternative to skiing, but there are other things to do like sledding, ice climbing, paragliding, dog sledding and so many other activities.

Tips

Whatever the season, bring some good pairs of shoes (hiking boots) because the mountain is not like walking in the streets of London. Take waterproof clothes in case and if you have, put your ski suit in your luggage for winter, but don’t worry if you forgot, you would get one easily in a shop. Something you should know, a driving license is highly recommended because of the infrequent public transport in the mountains.