What
is the normal mix of guests?
The centre operates exclusively in English and the majority of our
guests come from the UK, although we have welcomed a wide range of
nationalities from every continent of the world. Every week is different,
but on average about three quarters tend to be female, with ages ranging
from early twenties to early 60s.
Can
I come on my own?
If you are a single traveller it is most unlikely you will be
alone for long as about half of all guests come on their own, many
for the first time, and the
very nature of a holiday at La Buissière supports the idea of
doing things as a group. Most of the activities, such as the yoga and
guided walks, are communal, but there are also plenty of opportunities to
be on your own if you wish. Being able to unwind with like-minded people
is one of the main advantages of your stay, and it is not unusual for our
guests to develop real, long lasting friendships.
I prefer not to eat alone, what do we do at meal times?
Most people prefer that meal times are
a shared experience. We start the day with a communal breakfast, which
is included in the price; other meals are either prepared in the kitchen included in
each studio, or taken in local restaurants. There is also a communal
kitchen on the terrace,
for those occasions when guests want to cook outside or
prepare a meal together. Even those
that choose to prepare their own meals apart usually eat together on the
terrace. There are also several times during the week when we usually
eat together such as on the first evening, and at the end of the
guided walks. The gastronomy of the region is a big attraction not to be
missed and most visitors go out together to local restaurants several
times during the week. .
Should I hire a car?
Much
depends on how independent you want to be. We are in a countryside
location and to take full advantage of what the region has to offer, and
to give yourself maximum flexibility, we recommend that you hire your own
car. If you are flying, once you take into account train fares and
transfers, it can work out cheaper, particularly if you share; plus you
have the car for the rest of the week. We
do have our own minibus for walking trips and other group outings. Also, many
visitors take
advantage of the local bus service which stops almost outside the centre.
What is the
weather like?
As everywhere, the weather in SW France can vary
dramatically although it does follow a general pattern. The calmest months
are June and September with daytime temperatures usually between 20 – 30oC,
with July and August the hottest with temperatures usually between 25
– 35oC, although occasionally it can get even higher.
High temperatures are often accompanied by storms, so it is wise to bring
a lightweight raincoat.
Do
I need to bring my own yoga mat, towels, etc?
No, yoga
mats and all
towels are provided, including pool towels. Each studio also has a
hairdryer. There is an iron and ironing board available in the communal
room.
How
difficult is the walking and what type of shoes should I bring?
None of our walks are difficult taking place mainly
on quiet country lanes, forest trails and hillside paths. The routes are
occasionally steep but there is no pressure to keep up and only a
reasonable degree of fitness is required; we recommend
you bring either lightweight walking boots,
trainers or walking sandals; plus a waterproof top just in case.
What if I have limited mobility?
Although we have not yet
had any wheelchair users, we have had several guests with restricted
energy or movement. There are two studios on the ground floor, one of
which is the double, which also has its own terrace access; the car park,
terrace, breakfast/communal room and yoga room are all on the same level.
Also each studio has its own toilet and there is another one next to the
yoga room.
