Visiting Folleterre for the first time
Getting to Folleterre
Costs
Washing and Toilet
Water
Electricity
Food
Fire
Wood
Health & Wellbeing
Doing Your Share
What to Bring
Visiting Folleterre for the first time
If it will be your first visit to Folleterre, you should come to a Gathering.
All up-to-date information about upcoming gatherings is found on the gatherings page.
Gatherings are a lively and congenial time at Folleterre, and are the best time for people of all sexes, genders, and identities to be welcomed to the sanctuary for their first visit.
It is not usually possible to visit Folleterre outside of Gathering times, but if you are interested in this, you must contact us before you make any plans.
Should you have questions or need help at any time during your visit, simply ask another faerie (or two, or three). Likewise, the best way to meet faeries and learn “how things work” is to pitch-in and lend a helping hand.
For detailed instructions on how to get to Folleterre, contact the gathering organizer; directions will be sent to you when you register for a gathering.
The closest train station is in Lure, France, which can be reached from airports in Basel, Switzerland (~3 hours) or Paris (~4 hours). Consult one of many resources for detailed timetables and other information.
If you plan to arrive by train, you should contact the gathering organizer in advance with your estimated arrival time in order to arrange a ride. We do our best to accommodate unpredictable travel, but without planning ahead, a ride may not be available. A taxi from Lure costs ~50 €.
Other faeries drive all the way to Folleterre. Carpools and lift-sharing are great, because they help share the cost and environmental impact of the journey.
The costs of maintaining Folleterre and hosting gatherings are shared by all faeries. Depending on your ability, it is suggested that you donate 20-40 € per day of your stay during gatherings (see specific gathering pages for details), or 7-10 € per day at times between gatherings. Folleterre always operates under the principle of NOTAFLOF: no one turned away for lack of funds. If you cannot afford the suggested gathering donation, please discuss this with the organisers. You will still be welcomed!
Washing and toilet facilities at Folletere are very basic.
The Sanctuary provides biodegradable toiletries (soap, etc.) which everybody may use. Please bring only biodegradable, natural soaps and toiletries to Folleterre.
We have a pair of outdoor, wood-fired baths and an outdoor shower.
Toilets, including and a brand-new luxury outhouse, will be explained when you visit.
Accessible facilities are available for those in need.
Drinking water at Folleterre comes from a recently drilled (30m) well filled with cold, refreshing, high-quality water. In the case of any interruption, there is a potable source at the bottom of the mountain in Ternuay.
There is solar electricity for lighting the house and operating the water pump.
Communal meals are an essential part of faerie gatherings, and kitchen faeries work hard to prepare a vegetarian or vegan meals that everyone can enjoy. If you have special dietary needs or requests, please inform the gathering organizer or kitchen faeries in advance.
If you have severe allergies or follow an extremely specific diet, you should consider bringing some of your own essential supplies and be prepared to make some meals yourself.
Extreme caution is required when using fire at Folleterre, and open flames are never permitted inside barn–drag is very flammable! Experienced Folleterre faeries can explain how and where to safely start bonfires, use candles, fire extinguishers, etc.
Wood is very important at Folleterre. We keep different types of wood for different uses, which will be explained to you when you visit. For example, ‘expensive’ aged wood for indoor stoves, and ‘cheap’ fallen branches for bonfires. Collecting, cutting, and stacking wood for fires is a daily and satisfying job.
Out of consideration for everyone’s health and safety, smoking is prohibited inside the house.
We work together to enable safe and consensual sexual practices on the land and at home.
The area around Folleterre has ticks during the warm season. Please ask if you do not know what they are, and ask how to remove them as soon as you find them.
If you have health care in an EU member country, you should get your European Health Card, which will greatly facilitate your access to health care should you need it in France. If you are traveling from outside the EU, travel insurance can be inexpensive and worthwhile.
Wash your hands, everybody!
Gatherings at Folleterre are co-created; everyone helps out in a way that they can enjoy. Gathering organisers will help the group to organise itself, and can give you ideas for how to contribute.
The following is a list, based on much faerie experience, of things you may wish to bring along:
• Rainproof tent
• Sleeping bag or bedding
• Towel
• Flashlight and/or headlamp
• Jacket or sweater (even in summer)
• Colorful and/or comfortable clothing
• Good boots
• Bare feet
• Warm socks
• Raincoat & waterproof boots (particularly in the Spring and Autumn)
• Ideas and materials for fun things to do
• Fabulousness
• Sparkles
• A good appetite
• Willingness to chip in and help
• Love