France Short-Term Work

Believe it or not, traveling for long periods of time can be hard on the wallet. Many travelers try their hand at odd jobs for a few weeks at a time to help pay for another month or two of touring around. Seasonal work can be found in the hotel and restaurant businesses, in markets, and in agriculture. Another popular option is to work several hours a day at a hostel in exchange for free or discounted room and/or board. Most often, these short-term jobs are found by word of mouth or by expressing interest to the owner of a hostel or restaurant. Due to high turnover in the tourism industry, many places are eager for help, even if it is only temporary. Look in the “Positions Vacants” section of papers such as the “Guide du Job Trotter” or try www.jobs-ete.com for a summer job search engine. Let’s Go lists temporary jobs of this nature whenever possible; look in the Practical Information sections of larger cities or see below.

Appellation Contrôlée, Neutronstraat 10, 9743 AM Groningen, the Netherlands (☎+31 50 549 2434; www.apcon.nl). Places EU citizens in grape-picking jobs during the harvest season for €50 per day.
Centre Régional Information Jeunesse (CRIJ) de Côte d’Azur, 19 rue Gioffredo, 06000 Nice (☎04 93 80 93 93; www.crijca.fr). Seasonal and long-term job opportunities in the region are posted online. CRIJ locations throughout France offer job search resources.
Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse, 27 rue Pajol, 75018 Paris (☎01 44 89 87 27; www.fuaj.org). Offers short-term work in member youth hostels, from catering to reception. Submit application to individual hostel.

Further Reading On Beyond Tourism
Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Guide of Global Volunteer Opportunities, edited by Paul Backhurst. Food First, 2005 (US$12).
The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad, by Michael Landes. Ten Speed Press, 2005 (US$22).
Green Volunteers: The World Guide to Voluntary Work in Nature Conservation, by Fabio Ausenda. Universe, 2007 (US$15).
How to Get a Job in Europe, by Cheryl Matherly and Robert Sanborn. Planning Communications, 2003 (US$23).
How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas, by Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, and Zahara Heckscher. Penguin Books, 2001 (US$20).
International Job Finder: Where the Jobs Are Worldwide, by Daniel Lauber and Kraig Rice. Planning Communications, 2002 (US$20).
Live and Work Abroad: A Guide for Modern Nomads, by Huw Francis and Michelyne Callan. Vacation Work Publications, 2001 (US$20).
Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others, by Doug Cutchins, Anne Geissinger, and Bill McMillon. Chicago Review Press, 2006 (US$18).
Work Abroad: The Complete Guide to Finding a Job Overseas, edited by Clayton A. Hubbs. Transitions Abroad, 2002 (US$16).
Work Your Way Around the World, by Susan Griffith. Vacation Work Publications, 2007 (US$22).