im thinking about moving to france for a “gap year” and finding some work to keep me going in the western Pyrenees before i get too old and too many responsibilities, What sort of qualifications are recognised/wanted to work? as i don’t have much I’m half qualified as an electrician and been labouring on building sites/coal yards for the last 3 years the type of work doesn’t really bother me and i can speak enough french to get me by on holidays etc.

Teach English?

Teaching English is possible if your students are intermediate level or above, but im pretty sure you will need a recognised qualification to teach in France. like CELTA or at least EFL.

Although most places ask for CELTA etc, there are plenty of places that’ll take you without if you are native speaker and not obviously a waster.