2023: 4-11 July

One week a year we organise an informal summer MeetUp in our house in France. Intrigued by the notion of designing for life, people come for two main reasons. They might be working on a live project, thesis, course, or book, and use the week to move it forward. Or else they want to transform their working life completely and use their time here to figure out how.

The MeetUp is for designers of all kinds, ecologists, curators, team leaders, professors, postgrad students, researchers, artists, and writers.

What happens at a Thackara MeetUp?

The week combines me-time, you-time, and we-time.

In one-to-ones with me, I’ll cast fresh eyes on your project, plan, or thesis. I might suggest new ways to frame the questions you arrive with. Otherwise: Ask me Anything.

In group discussions – in our courtyard, on walks, or whilst river swimming – you’ll interact with the people from diverse backgrounds you’ll spend time with here.

You’ll have plenty of quiet and private time – in the house, at the river, or in nature. Also important: you get to shop at the market, cook in our summer kitchen, and breathe the clean air of the Cévennes.

How to apply

Our meet-up is limited to eight people, so we have to select participants. Fill out the application form and write 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.

Alternatively you can also send an email to:
meeting [at] thackara [dot] com

After receiving your application we aim to inform you within two weeks if it’s been accepted. Successful applicants will be directed to an Eventbrite web page where you sign up and pay. Your spot is secured after payment.

What kinds of project did people bring to a Meetup?

edible forest garden (Canada)
knowledge sharing platform for art teachers (UK)
launching a fashion podcast (Japan)
pivoting out of the consulting industry (USA)
future of a fifteenth century castle (Romania)
book about energy transitions in Africa (Germany)
book about ecoliteracy (USA)
design thesis on mending as connecting (England)
rural hub in a former brick factory (Portugal)
village revitalisation (Italy)
relational design masters (Wales)
rural social innovation (Poland)
municipal urban farms (China)
ecotourism and wellbeing (USA)
school in a forest (Ireland)
sustainable mobility lab (Pakistan)

rural hub in a former brick factory (Portugal)
village revitalisation (Italy)
relational design masters (Wales)
rural social innovation (Poland)
municipal urban farms (China)
ecotourism and wellbeing (USA)
school in a forest (Ireland)
sustainable mobility lab (Pakistan)

Testimonials

The Thackara Meetup was a wonderful experience overall and a unique opportunity to develop a better understanding of my personal-professional practice. After a week spending time with John and Kristi, the other meetupers, in Ganges and nature, and on my own, I was able to develop a more cohesive story to define my personal-professional practice and goals. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

Arely , Mexico/Miami

John and Kristi, your house is an absolute dream! I felt so welcomed and comfortable. You allowed us to take everything at our own paces, and gave us access to some beautiful places around Ganges. The mixture of one-to-ones and group conversations provided a loose but effective framework to help push my design practice forward. I’m coming away feeling refreshed, excited to work, and with a whole new set of amazing friends!

George, UK

I genuinely enjoyed the every single moment I spent during the week. Thanks to not only the fantabulous Thackara team but also amazing talents from diverse backgrounds who all were absolutely lovely, I had a very productive week. It was just a right balance of fun & work time in the absolutely gorgeous environment, which contributed to the great creativity/ satisfaction

Go, Japan / UK

Dear Kristi and John, thank you for hosting us for our annual Holis retreat. We enjoyed our stay in your beautiful house. The nearby market is a festival for any food lover. The walks in the surroundings gave us an opportunity to have deep talks. Your hospitality made us feel at home. I’m grateful for that experience.
Hope to be there again soon.

Maxim, Hungary

For me, the meet-up was truly life-changing; brilliant content, group company, accommodation, food and the waterfalls were to die for! John gave me the boost I needed and input from the group kickstarted a project so dear to my heart — thank you John!

Jenny, UK

the perfect place to hide out and finish writing that thesis, project proposal, or book

Gill, UK

Dear John and Kristi, you’ve created an amazing place, filled with peace and unique energy. A place that adjusts to the pace of the visitor, and inspires on so many levels. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences, for the walks in nature, and for the hospitality that created a feeling of home. It was a great and unforgettable experience.

Dominika, Ålborg, Denmark

I was working on my first book and it was amazingly helpful to have the space (both mentally and physically) to concentrate on this whilst getting constructive input and advice from JT and other participants.

Anne, Germany / UK

Dear John and Kristi, you’ve created an amazing place, filled with peace and unique energy. A place that adjusts to the pace of the visitor, and inspires on so many levels. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences, for the walks in nature, and for the hospitality that created a feeling of home. It was a great and unforgettable experience.

Dominika, Ålborg, Denmark

Pricing

included:
daily time with John Thackara, two kitchens, two fridges, washing machine, pantry basics, three bathrooms, 5 toilets, a friendly dog, your own key to the house, bedding, linens, beach towels

The meetup is for individuals but if you’re a couple who work together we can of course adapt. Just get in touch with us if you have different requirements or proposals.

Individual

7 nights

We can’t promise a private room
but we will try

€860

Duo

Professional duo

7 nights

For those professionals who share a bed
(Price is for 2)

€1500

Photos

FAQ

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?Kris2022-09-27T16:48:13+00:00

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

CONTACT

or send an email to meeting [@] thackara [dot] com

What are my transport options for getting to and from the event?Kris2022-09-27T16:39:26+00:00

What are my transport options for getting to and from the event?

From Nimes or Montpellier Airport, there are buses going to Ganges (journey is about a hour). They are reliable and comfortable, but not frequent and, honestly, the French time-tables are not easy to decode. Therefor if you decide to go for public transport, it’s best to email us at (meeting [@] thackara [dot] com) so we can guide you through it.
(Montpellier Occitanie: Ligne 108. Nimes Gare: Ligne D40)
From Marseille Airport you can get on a train to Nimes (or Montpellier), or rent a car and drive 2 hours to get to us.
At the airports you’ll find car rentals. Prices for a hire car start at 40€ per day depending on time of year, type- and availability of cars. We recommend to reserve a rental in advance (for example at rentalcars).
We sometimes can arrange to have someone pick you up from the airport, that drive would cost about 80€-100€ (4 passengers max, three if extreme luggage)
parking: plenty of free street parking around (but not on the doorstep since we’re in a pedestrian street)

an extensive transportation page you can find here

What’s the refund policy?Kris2019-08-19T08:38:20+00:00

What’s the refund policy?

Sorry, no refunds.

Can we come as a group?Kris2022-09-27T16:35:47+00:00

Can we come as a group?

The MeetUp and the Residency are for individuals, but we are happy to host a single group coming to an Offsite. (contact us)

All work and no play?Kris2022-09-27T16:33:28+00:00

All work and no play?

It would be a shame not to take time to explore the beautiful surroundings, go for a swim or a walk, or have a drink at one of the local bars. We even have a bike-rental around the corner (electric and regular bikes).

Do we live in with you?Kris2019-08-19T08:38:20+00:00

Do we live in with you?

No. No need to worry. 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 or on the second floor. There is a communal front door to the house, and a central staircase with doors opening to the other spaces.

You can come and go as you please.

Can the family come along?Kris2022-09-27T16:45:39+00:00

Can the family come along?

I’m sorry but they can’t. But, we can point you to other rooms or apartments for rent in the area (i.e. there’s a lovely airbnb 20 meters from the house). 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 working time.

Food, drink etc.Kris2022-09-28T14:23:19+00:00

Food, drink etc.

We are not heavy on service, we provide a comfortable space in an historical building and quality time with each other and with John – but we don’t cook for you. There are two kitchens at your disposal. And there are various affordable restaurants nearby.

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-intollerantKris2019-08-19T12:26:45+00:00

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-intollerant

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. Vegan dishes 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)