Our members speak about us in La Rochelle: a look back at their experience

At HomeExchange, we love hearing from the people who know it best: our members. This post was written by Dominique, Delphine, and Florent, three members who organized a meetup in La Rochelle, bringing together curious newcomers, seasoned members, and home exchange enthusiasts alike!

What a joy to get together over lunch and talk travel, home exchange, and memorable experiences! We met up at a food court in La Rochelle. The idea was simple: everyone picked their meal, then gathered around one of the large tables reserved for the event. It was a relaxed, welcoming setup that kept the conversation flowing all through lunch.

The group was a great mix. Some participants were already committed members, active for two or three years. Others were still on the fence, and had come looking for answers and a clearer sense of how HomeExchange actually works.

The conversations were rich and wide-ranging: sharing experiences, tips for a successful first exchange, and discovering the HomeExchange community, including the Facebook groups and blog that several participants hadn't come across before. We also talked about the HomeExchange Days themselves, meetups happening around the world, which sparked a lot of enthusiasm. More than a few people said they'd be up for joining one next year.

To help answer everyone's questions, several Ambassadors were on hand: Florent, Delphine, Sylvie, and Dominique, along with Apolline from the HomeExchange team. Apolline had brought her mom along, who is thinking about joining HomeExchange but hasn't quite taken the leap yet. We told her about the private room exchange option, where you can host travelers in a spare room while staying in your own home. It's a reassuring, low-pressure way to get a feel for the HomeExchange spirit, and she seemed genuinely interested.

One fun moment: the meetup was fully booked with 30 spots, and around ten people were on the waiting list. Delphine was especially hoping a spot would open up for someone named Thierry Hazard. For a brief, exciting moment, it felt like the famous French pop singer might actually show up! Of course, it turned out to be someone who shares his name, but it gave us a good laugh. And since he did make it in, we made sure to mark the occasion with a group photo.

We also shared some numbers that speak to the incredible growth of HomeExchange in La Rochelle and the Charente-Maritime region as a whole.

Beyond the numbers, what this meetup was really about was putting faces to profiles, swapping stories, and inspiring future members to take the plunge. A huge thank you to everyone who came, for your energy, your enthusiasm, and the great atmosphere you brought. See you soon at the next HomeExchange meetup!

Delphine, Florent, and Dominique