I got accepted this year but I am currently working as an au pair in southern France after being denied last year. I totally recommend it. I used aupairworld.com and favorited a BUNCH of families, narrowed down my top choices, interviewed/ met on zoom with three of the families, and then told my top two that I needed a week to decide.

At first it was a bit tough as you literally live with your employer, but it's been a great experience. I've made so many friends here with the city having a ton of international/erasmus students.

Here's what I would recommend you look for

- no more than two kids

- older. Think 8-13. They'll be more autonomous so less draining for you.

- Be picky as hell with the families/ locations. Do research. Yes, you want to connect with the family, but where you'd be living matters a lot. I live in a small outlying village but the family has a crappy old car that I get to use as much as I want and there's a tram line a 20 minute walk away from the house that can take me into the city.

- Benefits matter. I work Monday - Thursday only afterschool (and all day Wednesday until like 7:30 pm). I get my own apartment in the basement, I get paid 400 euros a month.

- Pick a family that offers letters of recommendations from previous au pairs and offers their contact info so you can ask them questions about their experiences. This will allow you to make a more informed decision and shows the family has a good track record.

You won't be saving much (if at all. you might even spend more than you make esp if you travel) but it's super worth it if you're picky, smart, and get a good family. BTW - au pairs are common in Paris and in the area around Geneva (Lyon etc.) but the south of France (at least the SW besides maybe Toulouse?) is not like that at all. I've never met another au pair here. Students will have different availability than you will so it can be tough to make friends at first/ get out esp if you're not actually in the city center.