How can I contact you with any questions?
meeting[@]thackara[.]com
How to apply
Each meet-up is limited to six or seven people, so we have to select participants. Email us a 100 word project statement that tells us: who you are; what you’re working on; and what you want to achieve during your stay. In addition to this 100 word statement, tell us which of the weeks you’re applying for.
Use the subject header: Meetup 2022 [+month/week]
and send this email to:
meeting [at] thackara [dot] com
After application we aim to inform you within two weeks whether your application has been accepted. Successful applicants will be directed to an Eventbrite web page where you sign up and pay. Your spot is only secured after payment.
What are the French Covid Rules
Like in most countries the rules keep changing but here is helpful information – in English – from the Journal ‘The Local‘.
The Local is a good resource for general French news in English so keep an eye on it. It’s subscription based but important/national news is free.
What’s the refund policy?
Sorry, no refunds.
Unless there are Covid related government travel restrictions, in which case you’ll be fully reimbursed.
(we can make an exception in very special cases)
Can we come as a group?
We are happy to host a single group coming to an OFFSITE.contact us: meeting [@] thackara [.] com
(Our Meetups are primarily for individuals with a project.)
Duo?
If your life partner is also your project partner, or the other way around, and you share a room with a double bed (we can add a matrass, if that helps), then we’re happy to welcome you both for a reduced price of each €840.
Can I stay longer?
Yes you can extend your stay, depending on availability, at the cost of 60€ per night. Please communicate your wishes by email in advance.
Do we live in with you?
All spaces are independent of our part of the house. John and Kristi live on the first floor, the rest of the spaces are on the ground floor and on the second floor. There is a communal front door to the house, and a central staircase with doors opening to the independent other spaces.
You’ll be handed a key and can come and go as you please.
Can the family come along?
This is a working Meetup so, I’m sorry but they can’t. But we can point you to other rooms or apartments for rent in the area. Just drop us an email if you need our help.
On this subject, I hope you understand we can’t welcome your friends who want to come for a visit, not even that interesting person you just met at the bar around the corner … 😉 Naturally we can make an exception, but do ask us beforehand. Be mindful that this is our home, and that this is a working week.
What is your smoking policy?
Inside it’s no-smoking. Outside all is fine.
Wifi?
Yes.
Food, drink etc.
We provide a comfortable space in an historical building and quality time with each other and with John – but are not heavy on service, meaning we don’t cook for you. There are two kitchens at your disposal and a BBQ in the courtyard. And there are various shops and affordable restaurants nearby.
Having said that, on the day of arrival we will welcome you with a simple home cooked meal. Usually this is vegetarian, with dairy products. Vegans and gluten/nut-free people will have to get creative 😉
We will make sure we’ll have some pantry-basics available.
Breakfast in the summer kitchen is self-serve but we provide organic muesli, milk, fruit, coffee and tea etc. For those who want to enjoy a classic french breakfast we recommend to pop out to the bakery – 5 minutes walk away – to get your croissants etc.
We usually don’t join you for breakfast.
On the last evening we propose to have a communal potluck meal, to use up the left overs.
Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-intolerant
The good news is that since there are kitchens in the house, you will not starve. Our organic shop is well stocked, our food market is great, but eating out might be a challenge for you.
More and more restaurants offer a vegetarian choice (we’ll point you to those). Vegan dishes however are rare in local restaurants. Gluten-free only recently appeared on the shelves in the supermarkets and hasn’t inspired the local restaurant business yet. (we are flexitarians ourselves)
What to pack?
Swimsuit (and watershoes, but we do have a small collection of those too)
– no need for beach towels, you’ll be provided with linens and beach towel
– Sensible walking shoes
– 1 warm layer for chilly evenings
Noise
We’re in the center of town, in the “quartier médiéval”, where streets are narrow and neighbours are plentiful. Please be mindful and don’t make a racket.
