We thought it useful to outline what we think swinging is about, though of course every couple have their own ideas.
At Peyraille can we first of all state very clearly that there is no obligation whatsoever to take part in any sexual activity, and we would like to reassure beginners that they will not get pounced on, coerced, or made to partake in sexual games.
We especially have rules where sex can take place so that beginners may enjoy their holiday without being even confronted by sex, so for this reason sex is confined to bedrooms and the play area especially created for that.
This gives beginners the control to back out of a sexual situation, and the means to explore their sexuality without any form of group pressure, and to enjoy their holidays without "in your face" sex.
Many of our regular guests started off gently.
If you are happily into swinging you can skip this part and go into another chapter on the website.
Swinging isn't only about changing partners; many couples enjoy inviting another person of either sex to stimulate their sex-lives.
For the benefit of the genuinely curious; nosey-parkers who can't resist looking at our website because they vaguely know us and are rather envious of our exciting lives, or those that think we run some sort of sexually depraved cult, we'd like to present some facts based upon some 15 years of swinging and meeting and discussing with many hundreds of couples from different backgrounds and nationalities.
Swinging has certainly spiced up our sex life, and sharing and being open about sex has strengthened our relationship.
Our guests are largely normal family people from a very wide range of backgrounds covering just about every profession from truck drivers to senior judges.
When we appeared in the Daily Mail and on This Morning program as a swinging couple with a child, not a single person complained.
The majority of these people have good strong relationships.
They are otherwise very normal and ordinary people and quite unlikely to touch you up or make an open sexual approach to you in everyday life, or any other of the quite ridiculous assumptions about sexually liberated people.
When was the last time you were openly propositioned by an obviously gay shop assistant?
People mostly confine their sex lives to their private homes or bedrooms so if you are reading this out of idle curiosity, we can assure you that it is quite safe to shake hands with us and our guests and that you will not be immediately sexually assaulted.
Neither will we try and convert you to our lifestyle, nor will we talk about our sex life unless you ask in appropriate circumstances.
It is still very surprising to find that public attitudes about swinging are still based on what the media thinks went on in the 1960's - car keys on the coffee table and so on.
Nowadays couples are sexually equal partners too, and rightly discuss and talk about their sexual needs and desires. People who shape UK law, like Lady Hale of Richmond, think swinging is a depraved act, and that if you partake in this activity you are capable of doing anything sexually - without any form of limit or self-control.
That is what she wrote in a judgement.
So the media and the law are ignorant, prejudiced and mis-informed about the subject.
How her stockinged toes would curl if she only knew what some of her colleagues got up to!
And how apparently happy and satisfied they seem to be.
In fact swinging not only strengthens relationships, but often saves them.
Quite often when one partner loses interest in sex, it can be rekindled.
This happens at all stages of a relationship, not only those in their 50's upwards.
Stress and pressure take it's toll on your sex life too.
Of course, we are not pretending for a minute that poor disintegrating relationships are going to be sorted out by encouraging group sex, but we do say that the fantasy and reality of involving others safely in your sex life, without risk to your relationship, is thrilling and exciting and adds a new dimension to your sexuality, for couples that are secure in their relationship.
What's wrong with exploring that, if both partners are consenting and willing to experiment?
We simply ask people to have an open mind.
We frequently get asked about jealousy.
It's quite normal to feel jealous and we still feel a twinge watching each other with other people.
It shows we care and love each other.
We have managed to turn our feelings of jealousy into a positive and exciting emotion instead of a possessive and destructive one.
So often people use jealous feelings to imprison their partners because they are insecure about themselves and their relationship.
We have learnt that life is all about give and take.
Sometimes one partner might be having a more enjoyable time than the other, so successful swinging is about learning to share good times and make sacrifices for each other.
Openness, trust, discussion and making sacrifices for each other are the building blocks of good long term relationships and happiness together, and ensuring sex is fun, not a chore or bad habit.
Many people think that there is a risk of the other partner falling in love with another.
That risk exists everywhere - most relationships start in the workplace for example, and what's offered in swinging is uncomplicated no-strings attached sexual excitement.
We have very rarely come across couples leaving their partners for someone else and perhaps the reason for this is what they would usually seek in an affair is already provided for.
Going back over the years, it is a striking fact that many swinging couples are still together.
People thinking about swinging are targeted on getting good sex, not getting another relationship, or the excitement of deceit, and people need to be quite clear in separating love and sex.
They aren't the same; they are very, very different.
Another common perception is that, if you are into swinging, your standards are somewhat lower than anybody else's and that you will play with just about anybody just because you belong to the same club.
This might be true for some people but we average about 3 to 4 couples each year.
Some people enjoy a daily McDonalds; others foie gras and a good glass of sauternes a few times a year.
Each to their own.
We think most couples enjoy several good experiences rather than having sex for the sake of it.
We like to remember our sexual adventures as being fun and exciting, not as nightmares.
Gay couples used to be thought of in much the same way until their lives were portrayed honestly by the media.
It always amazed us how naive and ignorant TV / film production companies are about the subject; time perhaps for their researchers and screen -writers to be objective about the subject, rather than titillating the public, and start portraying this aspect of sexuality in a positive way.
It seems to us that people are deeply insecure about anything they can't put in labelled boxes.
Swinging can involve several aspects of sexuality, and rather like anything in life there's nothing wrong with trying it to find out.
Earlier we mentioned the word safety, and we would like to end on this important point.
Like most of our guests we are a family couple, and have responsibilities.
Safe sex is essential.
Those that think normal sexual relations outside of your partner carry no risk are utter fools, and the usual reason why men don't want to use a condom is because they can't keep an erection with one on.
There are solutions for this outside our remit.
We simply say that safe sex is essential and consider couples who don't as playing around irresponsibly with other people's lives for their own selfish ends.
We hope this very brief article is informative.
Don't hesitate to contact us for further information or advice at sexy.couples@wanadoo.fr