Fast delivery.png){kind=small}
Fair prices
Imagine going on vacation to London, Bali, or Los Angeles without spending a dime on accommodation. That's exactly what we've been experiencing for a decade thanks to the home exchange system HomeExchange (formerly Troc Maison). I am Eric Viard, and with my wife Aurélie, we run the BIOVIE online store and share a common passion: authentic exchanges and forms of sharing without the intervention of money.
What is HomeExchange? The principle of home exchange
HomeExchange is a revolutionary platform that allows families worldwide to exchange their homes for vacations. The principle is simple and brilliant: you open your home to a family, and in return, you enjoy theirs, wherever it is in the world.
Originally, when we discovered this platform under the name "Troc Maison," the system worked only through simultaneous exchanges. This meant that we had to search for accommodations among members and find a family available exactly on the same dates as us, which was sometimes a real headache! Today, HomeExchange offers an innovative system based on points, providing much greater flexibility for organizing trips.
Our story: 10 years of extraordinary adventures
The London exchange: When everything aligns perfectly
One of our most memorable exchanges remains the one with a London family. Imagine the perfect synchronization: we had booked our flights on the same day as them, but in reverse! We flew Nîmes-London while they flew London-Nîmes.
But here's the detail that makes this story even more beautiful: we also exchanged our cars! Each family left their car in the parking lot of their departure airport. The result? Upon our arrival in London, their car was waiting for us, and upon their arrival in Nîmes, ours was at their disposal. A logistics worthy of a movie, but it worked perfectly!
This experience showed us how HomeExchange can create exceptional human connections based on mutual trust.
Free Bali: 12 days of dream in Ubud
Winter 2024 will remain etched in our memories. We were able to stay for free in a typical house in Ubud, Bali, for about twelve days. This small house, located near the center of Ubud, offered us a total immersion in Balinese culture.
What impressed us the most? The authenticity of the experience. We weren't in a standardized hotel, but in a real home, with all the charm of an inhabited house: small decorative details, tips left by the owners, secret addresses of local restaurants...
Los Angeles and the Purium Convention: When Work and Pleasure Mix
Recently, we enjoyed a home exchange in the Anaheim neighborhood of Los Angeles during our participation in the annual Purium company convention. Being able to combine business travel with an authentic discovery of a city, all for free, is exactly what we are looking for.
Why We Love HomeExchange: The Real Reasons
A Home, Not a Hotel
What we appreciate most about home exchange, is living like locals, not tourists. In these exchange homes, we find:
- Toys for the children when we travel as a family
- Condiments and spices in the kitchen to cook like at home
- All the equipment needed for a comfortable and relaxed stay
- Personalized advice from the owners about their region
An Extraordinary Exercise in Trust
At Biovie, we advocate values of authenticity and mutual respect. This home exchange platform perfectly embodies these values. Entrusting your home to strangers and sleeping in the homes of people you don't know is a wonderful exercise in trust in humanity.
This mutual trust creates unique bonds. We have kept in touch with several of our exchange families, turning simple transactions into true international friendships.
Collaborative Economy at Its Best
As entrepreneurs committed to sustainable and ethical practices, we are convinced that HomeExchange represents the future of responsible tourism, fully aligning with collaborative tourism. Instead of building more hotels, why not optimize the use of existing homes?
How to Get Started on HomeExchange: Our Expert Tips
1. Take Care of Your Profile
Your profile is your business card. Be authentic, show your home in its best light, but remain honest. Families appreciate transparency, especially when it comes to a reciprocal exchange based on trust.
2. Start Local
For your first exchanges, choose destinations that are not too far away. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the system without stress.
3. Communicate Extensively
Don't hesitate to have long exchanges with your future hosts. The more you know each other, the more successful the exchange will be. Share your habits, expectations, and local secrets.
4. Prepare Your Home with Love
Welcome others as you would like to be welcomed. Leave a small guide of your region, local products, fresh flowers... These little touches make all the difference.
The Concrete Advantages of HomeExchange
Substantial Savings
The savings are enormous. For our 12 days in Bali in a house with a private pool, we would have easily spent 1000-13000€ on accommodation. Our stay in London in a 250m2 house with a garden would have cost us at least 1200€. Reducing our accommodation costs frees up a large part of our vacation budget, which we can then dedicate to activities, culinary discoveries, or unforgettable encounters.
Authentic Experiences
Living in a residential neighborhood completely changes the perspective of a trip. You discover local bakeries, local markets, and parks where neighborhood children play.
Total Flexibility
With the new HomeExchange points system, you are no longer constrained by simultaneous exchanges. This system also allows for non-reciprocal exchanges, where you can stay at someone's place without them coming to yours in return. You can thus travel whenever you want, wherever you want, according to your available points.
Our Referral Code: A Welcome Gift
Because we believe in sharing and win-win relationships, we have decided to share our HomeExchange referral code with you: ericaurelie-b1003
By using this code when you sign up, you receive 250 HomeExchange points, which is equivalent to a little more than one free night depending on the destinations. And we also receive 250 points. This is exactly the spirit of HomeExchange: everyone wins!
The Evolution of HomeExchange: From Troc Maison to the Modern Platform
The Beginnings: Troc Maison and Simultaneous Exchanges
When we started ten years ago, the system was more rigid but incredibly exciting. You had to find THE perfect family with the perfect dates. It was a real challenge, but what satisfaction when everything aligned!
Today: The Revolutionary Points System
HomeExchange has brilliantly evolved into a points system that offers unparalleled flexibility. You earn points by hosting and spend them to travel. Simple, effective, brilliant.
Our Dream Destinations for Future Exchanges
Europe: Authenticity and Proximity
We dream of exploring more of Europe via HomeExchange: a country house in Tuscany, a cozy apartment blending design and comfort in Copenhagen, a renovated farm in Ireland...
Asia: Continuing Our Love Story
After Bali, we would like to discover Japan, South Korea, or return to Thailand (a country we know well thanks to our professional activities with Biovie).
Americas: New Adventures
Canada is calling us, as well as Argentina or Costa Rica. Thanks to HomeExchange, finding accommodation becomes simple and opens up a world of endless possibilities.
HomeExchange and Responsible Tourism
Reducing the Carbon Footprint
By optimizing the use of existing homes, HomeExchange contributes to more sustainable tourism. No need to build new hotels, the houses already exist!
Support for the Local Economy
Living in a residential neighborhood, means supporting local businesses rather than large hotel chains. You buy from the local baker, at the local market...
Authentic Human Connections
HomeExchange promotes genuine intercultural encounters. You are no longer an anonymous tourist, but a temporary guest in a community.
Practical Tips for Successful Exchanges
Before Departure
- Exchange your phone numbers with your hosts
- Prepare a detailed guide of your home and region
- Check your insurance (most cover home exchanges)
During the Exchange
- Strictly follow the rules established with your hosts
- Leave the house cleaner than you found it
- Share your discoveries with your hosts via messages
After the Exchange
- Leave a detailed and kind review
- Send some photos of your stay to your hosts
- Keep in touch if the chemistry was good
Our Vision: HomeExchange and the Future of Travel
We are convinced that HomeExchange represents the future of tourism. In a world where travelers are increasingly seeking authenticity and responsibility, this platform perfectly meets these aspirations.
At Biovie, we advocate for fair and sustainable exchanges. HomeExchangeembodies these values perfectly: fairness (everyone gives and receives), sustainability (optimization of existing resources), authenticity (real experiences).
Conclusion: Join the HomeExchange Adventure
After ten years of use, we can say without hesitation that HomeExchange has enriched our lives. Not only financially (the savings are huge), but especially humanly.
These exchanges have taught us trust, open-mindedness, and generosity. They have given us unforgettable memories and lasting international friendships.
So, ready to take the plunge? Use our referral code ericaurelie-b1003 and start your HomeExchange adventure with 250 welcome points. We can't wait to hear about your first exchange experiences!
Because deep down, HomeExchange stands out among exchange platforms with its unique spirit: more than just a free accommodation system, it's a philosophy of life based on sharing, trust, and openness to the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How does home exchange work with HomeExchange?
A: You list your home on the platform and can either host another member in a simultaneous exchange or use your points to stay at someone else's place without them coming to yours. The latter is called a non-reciprocal exchange.
Q: Is it possible to travel abroad with HomeExchange?
A: Yes, HomeExchange is present in over 150 countries. You can organize free home exchanges worldwide, whether for a weekend in Europe or several weeks in Asia or America.
Q: Is HomeExchange really free?
A: Yes and no. The basic principle is free in the sense that you don't have to pay for your accommodation. You exchange your home or points for another member's accommodation. However, the HomeExchange platform operates with a fixed annual subscription that provides unlimited access to exchanges, which is still much cheaper than traditional accommodation.
Q: What does the HomeExchange guarantee cover?
A: The subscription includes insurance that covers potential material damages and offers assistance in case of last-minute cancellation by the host, ensuring your stay doesn't fall through.
Q: Do you need to have an entire house to participate?
A: Not necessarily. You can exchange an apartment, a studio, or even a spare room. The important thing is to offer a comfortable and clean space with a clear and honest description.
Q: How can you ensure the exchange goes well?
A: Take care of your profile, upload recent photos, communicate with your future hosts, and prepare your home as if you were welcoming friends. Trust and transparency are the keys to a successful exchange.
