Category: France on a Budget
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring France without breaking the bank, this episode is for you. Annie Sargent chats with Liz Van Montfort, a seasoned traveler who has mastered the art of home exchange. Together, they reveal the home exchange secrets that let you stay in incredible places—like a Parisian apartment for 20 nights—without paying a dime in rent. Whether you’re a family, a slow traveler, or just someone who loves to dive deep into local culture, this conversation might change the way you think about travel.
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How Home Exchange Works: The Basics
Liz Van Montfort has been using home exchange for over a decade, and she breaks it down simply. There are two main ways to swap homes: reciprocal exchanges and Guest Points. In a reciprocal exchange, you and another family trade homes for the same period. For example, Liz once swapped her Christchurch, New Zealand, home with a family in Sydney, Australia. They took care of her chickens and cat, and she enjoyed their home—and even their car!
But the real game-changer? Guest Points. Liz used these to stay in a two-bedroom Paris apartment for 20 nights during the Rugby World Cup. No cash, just points. The system is simple: you earn points by hosting others in your home, then spend those points on stays around the world. It’s a brilliant way to travel for free—or almost free.
Annie points out that this isn’t just for retirees or people with fancy homes. Liz lives in a townhouse with a communal pool, and it’s been more than enough to attract exchanges. The key is to list your home clearly on platforms like HomeExchange, upload good photos, and be honest about what you’re offering. Whether it’s a spare room or an entire house, there’s likely someone out there who’d love to stay in it.
Why Home Exchange Beats Airbnb (And Hotels)
Liz and Annie don’t hold back when comparing home exchange to Airbnb. Liz shares a horror story from Barcelona, where she and her husband arrived at their Airbnb only to find the host had sold the apartment and left them stranded on the street at night. After a frantic search, they finally found a hotel—but not before walking over an hour with their luggage in the heat. Stories like this are why Liz now swears by home exchange.
With home exchange, you’re dealing with verified members who are part of a trusted community. There’s insurance, a rating system, and even a backup plan if something goes wrong. Annie adds that Airbnb has become overrun with corporate listings—impersonal apartments furnished with cheap IKEA furniture. Home exchange, on the other hand, offers real homes with real personalities. You might find a bottle of local wine waiting for you or a handwritten guide to the best nearby cafés.
Another perk? No hidden fees. While some home exchanges include a small cleaning fee (especially for shorter stays), it’s nothing compared to the markups and service charges you’ll find on Airbnb. Plus, you get to live like a local. Liz loved having a kitchen, laundry, and a neighborhood supermarket just steps away. It’s travel without the tourist traps.
Preparing Your Home for Exchange: Tips from a Pro
So, how do you get started? Liz walks us through the process. First, sign up on a reputable platform like HomeExchange. There are others, but we haven't tried them. List your home with clear photos and details about what you’re offering—whether it’s a private room, a whole house, or even a car. The platform will assign your home a point value based on its size, location, and amenities but you can change that if you'd like.
Next, create a welcome booklet. Liz’s booklet includes everything from how to use the washing machine to where to find the nearest bus stop. She even leaves a local treat, like Canterbury wine and chocolate, to welcome her guests. It’s these little touches that make the experience special—and encourage guests to leave your home in great shape.
What about cleaning? Liz says she usually doesn’t charge a cleaning fee unless it’s a longer stay or she can’t be there to tidy up herself. Most guests are respectful and often leave the place cleaner than they found it. She does ask that guests strip the beds and take out the trash, but that’s about it. No need for a deep clean unless you’re hosting back-to-back exchanges.
Annie adds that you don’t need to stage your home like a hotel. A few personal touches—like a stack of books or a well-stocked pantry—make it feel lived-in and welcoming. The goal is to create a home away from home, not a sterile rental.
The Dark Side of Airbnb (And Why France Is Pushing Back)
Annie and Liz don’t minced words when it comes to Airbnb’s impact on cities like Paris. With strict limits on short-term rentals (120 days per year in Paris), the city is trying to curb the loss of long-term housing for locals. Many apartments that could house students or young families are instead being turned into tourist rentals, driving up costs and reducing availability.
Liz’s experience in Paris highlights another issue: over-tourism. She stayed in the 17th arrondissement, a quieter neighborhood that still offered easy access to the city’s attractions. By staying in a local apartment, she avoided the crowds and got a taste of real Parisian life. Annie agrees, noting that home exchange helps distribute tourism more evenly across the city—rather than concentrating it in a few hotspots.
But what if something goes wrong? Liz shares a story about a last-minute cancellation in Poland, where HomeExchange stepped in to find her an alternative place to stay. That’s the kind of support and community you might not find with Airbnb.
Paris 2026: What’s Changing in the City of Light
After the chat with Liz, Annie dives into some exciting updates coming to Paris in 2026. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll want to know about these:
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Tour Triangle: This controversial glass skyscraper will be the third-tallest building in Paris when it opens in summer 2026. Love it or hate it, it’s set to become a new landmark. Learn more about the Tour Triangle.
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Louis Vuitton Hotel: Luxury meets history on the Champs-Élysées. The former Élysée Palace Hotel is being transformed into a high-end hotel with retail space and art exhibitions.
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Place de la Concorde Redesign: Say goodbye to traffic chaos! This iconic square is getting a pedestrian-friendly makeover, with wider sidewalks, more green space, and fewer cars. Place de la Concorde project.
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Tour Montparnasse Renovation: Paris’s most controversial tower is getting a much-needed update. No, it’s not being demolished (yet!), but the renovation aims to modernize its outdated interiors. Tour Montparnasse news.
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Parc de la Villette’s Urban Farm: A new green space and farm is coming to the park, perfect for families and nature lovers.
Why You Should Try Home Exchange
If you’re tired of impersonal hotels and overpriced Airbnbs, home exchange might be the perfect solution. It’s affordable, flexible, and immersive—letting you experience France (or any destination) like a local. Plus, with platforms like HomeExchange offering insurance, verification, and support, you can travel with peace of mind.
Liz’s final advice? Just try it. Start small—maybe a weekend exchange—and see how it feels. You might just fall in love with this way of traveling.
Listen and Subscribe
Want to hear more home exchange secrets and travel tips? Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast app or on Spotify and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe to Join Us in France so you never miss an episode packed with insider advice, cultural deep dives, and hidden gems.
Ready to plan your next adventure? Start exploring home exchange today—and who knows? Your next trip to France could be practically free.
Table of Contents for this Episode
Table of Contents for this Episode
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TranscriptCategory: France on a Budget