While we were in Dijon and Orléans, we had families in our house in Takoma Park. While we like Home Exchange because it keeps down our costs and allows us to live in a real neighborhood, away from tourists, Home Exchange is terrific for families. The expense of a hotel and eating out every day with children may mean that a family can only afford a much shorter vacation.

Our Orléans family loved our house, which was an air-conditioned refuge from the brutal heat and humidity they suffered through while out touring. We returned home to find this sweet message from Circée, one of the 2 girls in the family from Orléans.