Enhancement of the Fort of the Dunes in the North of France
Leffrinckoucke, Hauts-de-France, France July 2 - July 18, 2024
Volunteer project: After more than a decade of successfully hosting international volunteers from 2006 to 2022, the municipality of Leffrinckoucke wishes to welcome for the 17th time an international volunteer group to take part in the restoration of the Fort des Dunes, a military fort built in the 19th century. The fortress is located in the North of France, 500 meters from the beach and 500 meters from the city of Dunkirk. The goal is to develop and enhance the site so that it could be visited and used for cultural purposes by local associations and music bands, and at the same time to create intercultural dynamics by encouraging links between local people, visitors and volunteers.
Over the years, important improvements have been made to open this site to the public. Outside, a secure tour route is offered, with interpretation of the site with the help of an audio guide; and inside, some rooms have been restored and opened to visitors, including a room dedicated to the history of the fort with an interactive presentation and animated model of Operation Dynamo.
With a technical leader, you will work on various parts of the site of the fort. The planned activities consist of clearing of the exterior parts, restoration of the exterior stairs, collection of old paving stones and branches, and clearing brush off the ditches. This work will be carried out in small groups.
Among the highlights of the project is the Beach Festival, a meeting with associations of the town during the first weekend of July. The volunteers will help prepare and participate in the Beach Festival, and will present the international volunteer projects. The group will also be able to participate in the World Shrimp Peeling Championship.
Language: English
Leisure activities: Nature lovers can go for a walk on the Dune Dewulf. This remarkable nature reserve of the Nord-Pas-De-Calais coastline extends over nearly 300 hectares. It is a mixture of wooded dunes, wet plains and dry dunes and thus has an important ecological value.
Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in a tent and will have access to a kitchen and sanitary facilities. Mattresses are provided. Please bring a sleeping bag.
Location: The town of Leffrinckoucke is located a few kilometers from the city of Dunkirk. Buses are available to reach neighbouring towns. The nearest train station is in Dunkirk, and many connections are available by TGV to Lille (35 min) or Paris (2 hours).
Nearest terminal: Dunkerque
Nearest airport: Lille
Age range: 18 - 30 years old