France

Dream job contests are becoming commonplace in resort destinations’ quiver – most notably the “Best Job in the World” contest, where the winner got to live in Great Barrier Reef and blog about it for a year – which is a rather brilliant ploy. Package up a fraction of your tourism advertising budget with a low-paying local job and let the free publicity and exposure roll in.

This particular offer – a summer in a French resort town getting paid a decent wage to apply sunscreen – is right up there with the best of those contests’ prizes. Although we should be realistic about the type of people you might be asked to apply sunscreen to; if you’ve spent any time on European beaches you know, that part of the job will likely have its beautiful ups and disturbing downs. Unlike some of the other ‘best job’ contests with less rigorous qualifications, you’re not getting this job if you aren’t young, speak French and look good in a swimsuit. I urge those of you who can to apply here and let me know how it goes.

Campaign-wise, kudos to the town of Sables-d’Olonne for getting us talking about them. Although we’re going to have to deduct some points for the Chevy Nova moment they had when they insisted they call their employees by the English translation of the traditional job title. “Crèmeurs” sounds like part of the help staff at an elegant French resort; “Creamers” sounds like something you’d find at a resort owned by Bob Guccione.