1. Deposits
When you make an enquiry about particular dates we will hold those dates for a maximum of 72 hours in order to give you time to make practical arrangements, book flights, and so on. If we have not received a booking form from you within that time we reserve the right to take other bookings for those dates.

On receipt of your booking form, an email confirmation will be sent to you within 24 hours. In order to finalise your booking you must then pay us a deposit of 50% of the total cost of your retreat within 7 days. You may do this

• in euros, by cheque drawn on a French bank
  
• in euros, via international bank transfer
  
• in euros, via Paypal
  
• in sterling, via bank transfer to our UK (Nationwide) current account.

No other method of payment can be accepted. Any charges incurred for bank transfer payments must be met by you.

If you choose to pay by sterling bank transfer, we will calculate the amount due using the exchange rate (NatWest travel rate) prevailing on the day of transfer.

Paypal makes a transaction charge of 3.5% plus 0.25€ for every payment made. We will split this with you on a 50/50 basis and therefore will add half of this amount to your invoice.

2. Paying your balance
The balance of the cost of your retreat is payable in cash (euros only) on your arrival at Grillou. Alternatively you may pay

• in euros, by cheque drawn on a French bank
  
• in euros, via international bank transfer
  
• in euros, via Paypal
  
• in sterling, via bank transfer to our UK (Nationwide) current account.
  

in which case your payment must arrive in our bank account no less than 5 working days before your arrival date.

3. Other payments
Payments for any additional services not included in your retreat price must be made during your stay by cash or by cheque drawn on a French bank.

1.Cancellation or curtailment by you
Deposits are non-refundable in the case of cancellation within 10 weeks of your arrival date. If you cancel all or part of your booking during this period we will do our best to re-let your room; if we do, we will return a proportion or all of your deposit to you, less an administration charge to cover any costs and/or losses we may have incurred. If you cancel your booking more than 10 weeks before the start of your retreat, we will refund your deposit less any administration charge necessary to cover any costs.

2. Cancellation or curtailment by us
In the very unlikely even that we have to cancel your stay with us (severe illness or other emergencies, damage to the house by fire, storm etc, or similar circumstances outside our control) we will refund your entire deposit. We cannot be held liable for losses you may incur in respect of public transport or other travel.

We strongly recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance to cover yourself against cancellation or curtailment, and against other possible losses such as loss of valuables, travel cancellation/delay or similar. We cannot be held liable for loss however caused.

The interior of the house is a non-smoking zone – no exceptions. Guests who do not respect this rule will be asked to leave with no refund given. We also reserve the right to make a ‘recovery charge’ of 80 euros if there is evidence of smoking anywhere indoors. Because of our situation in the middle of woodland and the consequent increased risk of fire from cigarettes and matches, smoking is only permitted on one (gravelled) terrace in the grounds where we provide a sand-filled bucket. 

You may check in at any time from 3pm on your arrival day, and depart at any time up to 3pm on your departure day. Earlier check in may be possible depending on availability (supplement payable for early morning check in) though no guarantees can be given. Retreats begin with dinner on the first day of your stay (usually served at 7.30 for 8pm) and end with lunch on your last day. Check out after additional nights booked after your retreat is 11am.

Vehicle access to Grillou is via one kilometre of unpaved but gravelled forest track. The track is maintained by the commune and is rutted and bumpy in places but perfectly driveable in the vast majority of cars, except possibly ground-hugging sports cars or other vehicles with minimal ground clearance. We drive this track in ordinary vehicles daily without incident. We cannot be held liable for any problems, loss or damage that may be incurred. If you are concerned about access please discuss this with us before booking.

Guests must be at least 18 years of age.

Grillou, its rooms and facilities are for guests only. Only persons whose names are specified on the booking form may stay in or use the accommodation; to preserve the sense of tranquillity here we are unable to accept visitors on site.

You must look after your accommodation during your stay. This means that you must keep all furniture, fittings and effects (inside and outside the property) in the same state of repair as at the start of your stay. You must leave your accommodation in the same state of general order in which you found it. If you break these conditions we reserve the right to make an additional cleaning charge and/or make a claim against you for repair or loss as a result of damage caused. However, we know and accept that accidents happen, and ask that any breakages, spillages or other damage be notified to us straight away.

If you have a medical or psychiatric condition that may affect your stay with us please let us know at the time of booking. Please note that our grounds are undulating and rocky and may not be suitable for you if your mobility is restricted.

The booking contract between us, and any dispute arising out of it, is wholly governed by French law.