Val-de-Charmey

We are looking for a cat-sitter who enjoys his/her own company and is happy to stay at our home with no travel companion. A responsible cat-lover, non-smoker, preferably a mature quiet person (e.g. young retiree), enjoying nature and outdoors. A sitter eager to communicate regularly with us.
Our cats are five adults in total, all sterilised and in good health, four living mostly outdoors and one senior cat living indoors. They all need feeding twice a day and the indoor cat requires a bit more attention and some patience as she is quite timid. We aslo foster five adult cats in a nearby barn, who get fed once a day. They are very grateful and appreciate the daily visit ! You must like cats to enjoy your stay here ! It is important for us that you pay attention to details concerning the cats, such as changes in their state of health. It may become necessary to take one or the other to the vet... But of course, such a decision would be taken with us (you can reach us most of the time), except for a life & death emergency, which has not arisen so far...
Our cats at home are used to a quiet environment, so we are looking for a sitter who enjoys peace and quiet (no loud music). We are mostly vegeterian and would prefer a guest who does not need to cook much meat. We ask you not to bring other pets as it upsets our cats, nor have overnight visitors during your stay.
Our garden is low-maintenance but we may ask you to water some plants and do the occasional lawn-mowing, in summer and some snow-clearing in winter. Otherwise, just post collection once a day and generally keeping the house clean for your own benefit.

We live in a typical wooden house on three floors, in a quiet residential area (friendly neighbours) just above a picturesque tourist village in the Swiss region of Gruyère. Sunny garden and west-facing balcony with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valley. Ideally located for hiking, skiing in winter, outdoor and spa activities, cultural visits, etc. There are food shops and restaurants, banks, a post office, a doctor’s practice and a pharmacy in the village, and a regular hourly bus service to the nearby small towns of Broc and Bulle, and to the picturesque medieval village of Gruyères, with a good connection to the national Swiss railway network. Wifi internet and cable TV. A comfortable home with modern facilities such as underfloor heating, solar panels, heat pump. The ground floor is dedicated to you (guest bedroom, fully equiped including a TV screen, a private bathroom and a small kitchen), with share of the laundry room. When we are away, you are welcome to make use of our lounge, the fireplace and the balcony on the middle floor. There is a parking space available just below the house for your car, if you bring it with you..

We have a whole collection of tourist guides about the Gruyère area and Switzerland to put at your disposal. We have a good internet connection (fibre) and numerous multi-lingual TV channels (also in French and English).

As we have no car to put at your disposal, either you bring your own car or you rent one, or be prepared to do a bit of walking and rely on public transport (bus stop in the village at 20’ walk downhill and 30’ walk uphill). There can be a fair amount of snow in winter at times and some snow ploughing may be necessary to clear access on some days.

Comfortable home, easy to run, well-heated (heat pump and open fireplace) but not advisable for a mobility impaired person as it is on three floors and one needs to walk up an additional flight of steps from the parking to the house. Pleasant and sunny garden, needing little maintenance. Countryside village life. Nearby farms (sound of cow bells in the fields in summer).

House rules : no travel partner/s, no shoes inside (wooden floors throughout), no smoking, no loud music, no or little meat cooking, please no other pets nor overnight guests nor parties. Kindly protect the peaceful atmosphere of our home and take good care of it in our absence. We ask you not to post photos or videos of our house nor of our pets on social medias.

Situated in the heart of the Gruyère region (beautiful views, medieval town, cheese factory, chocolate factory, thermal baths), and within easy reach of Lake Geneva (Montreux/Vevey), Fribourg, Bern, Gstaad, etc. Ideal location for quiet relaxation and outdoor activities. Good public transport connections by bus from the village (a 20’ walk downhill from the chalet, 30 minutes uphill from the village) and onward by train (Swiss railway) from the next village (Broc).
Local cable-car up the neighbouring mountain for walking, eating and access to ski lifts according to the season. Wide choice of local restaurants at reasonable prices for Switzerland.