Help
running a vacation program for handicapped people
Saint-Maurice-en-Trieves, Rhone-Alpes June
10 - June 27, 2013
Saint-Maurice-en-Trieves, Rhone-Alpes
July 29 - August 12, 2013
Saint-Maurice-en-Trieves, Rhone-Alpes August 30 - September 20, 2013
Volunteer project: The project is in support of a centre, which runs adapted camps for physically handicapped people.
You will help a handicapped vacationer in his/her daily life: showers, meals... but moreover you will be with him/her during the different activities organized by the centre. The first 2 days of the project will be dedicated to a special training in order to allow you to learn the good behaviors and techniques to help the people. Former volunteers will tutor you during this training. You will work directly with the staff of the centre and under their supervision.
Working at the centre is a really intense experience: days of work are
going from 7:30 am to after dinner. Sharing the residents’ daily life
requires constant investment and a lot of energy, however, supervisors
and other volunteers will support you all the time. Once a week you will
have to take on the night watch; the day after will be your day off
(only one day off per week), for resting or visiting some local
attractions with the group.
The group will be of 4 international volunteers; there will be also
French volunteers involved in the project who speak English, and you
will be welcome in a very familial atmosphere.
Special requirements: This is a social project. Please remember that your role here is to allow the vacationers to spend a great holiday and that you should show a great involvement in the project. You are expected to be motivated, open minded, patient, creative and able to get along well with people. Basic French is welcome to facilitate contact, but is not obligatory for participation. Please include a motivation letter in your application.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: With the handicapped people, you will participate in many different activities: adapted sports, manual activities, mountain leisure activities, swimming in a lake, visit of Grenoble or Gap... You will have many occasions to discover the region. Moreover the centre focuses on a regional approach to tourism and food ! You can discover French cuisine in the mountains !
Accommodation: You will be hosted within the centre with other volunteers. Dormitory or rooms of 2-3 people. Meals shared with the handicapped people. Any food diet can be accommodated (gluten free, vegetarian...).
Location: The centre is located in the wonderful region of Trièves, surrounded by the Alps mountains, at 68 km from Grenoble and 67 km from Gap.
Terminal: Clelles - Mens
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoration
of a stone wall on the Tour de France route
L’Alpe D’Huez, Rhone-Alpes
June 16 - June 29, 2013
Volunteer project: The project will take place in
L'Alpe d'Huez - a ski resort in the Central French Alps. L'Alpe
d'Huez is one of the main mountains in the Tour de France and has been a
stage finish almost every year since 1976.
The aim of this project is to help the community of Huez restore its cultural heritage and create an intercultural exchange. Guided by municipal employees, the volunteers will repair the stone wall of the graveyard, next to the village church. The wall is located on one of the mythic bends to get to the Alpe d’Huez station, very famous part of the cycling race. The chapel within the graveyard has already been renovated so the wall looks sad and very old. Your task will be to make this wall look nice, which would involve masonry work. You will work 4 to 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, in the morning. No special knowledge or experience is required for this project, except being motivated, curious and loving to work in a group! This is a mountain workcamp for outdoor lovers.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Out of winter season, the village has also many things to offer: walking, biking, swimming, meeting local people, etc The region is great for hiking.
Accommodation: You will be hosted in apartments in the village. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Location: The village of Huez, with almost 1500 inhabitants, is a popular mountain station, sitting on the magnificent Oisans mountains, at an altitude of 1000m. Tourists come here in winter for skiing and in summer for multiple open-air leisure activities.
Terminal: Grenoble
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Renovation of a
natural pond in Saint Alban
St Alban Leysse, Rhone-Alpes
June 16 - July 6, 2013
Volunteer project: Together with the local organisation «The paths of St Alban» and community members, the international volunteers will do enhancement work on a spring and a natural pond: you will mainly do weeding, cleaning, landscaping and masonry work. The local volunteers are mainly retired people who love their village! The group will work 5 hours a day, in the morning, 5 days a week.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Trekking with the locals, meetings and exchanges, visit of Chambéry, of Aix les Bains, trekking in the park of Les Bauges, the cross of Nivolet, swimming pool, lake…
Accommodation: You will be hosted in a local building in the village center. Mattresses will be provided but please bring your own sleeping bag.
Location: The small city of St Alban Leysse has around 6000 inhabitants and is 3km away from the city of Chambéry, the capital of Savoy, which counts more than 50 000 inhabitants. Settled at the limit of the mountains and natural park of Les Bauges, the region offers many outdoor activities such as mountain trekking.
Terminal: Chambery
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Volunteering
in an Emmaus community
Etoile, Rhone-Alpes
June 23 - July 13, 2013
Etoile,
Rhone-Alpes July
21 - August 10, 2013
Etoile,
Rhone-Alpes August
11 - August 31, 2013
Volunteer project: Emmaus is a community that welcomes marginalised and homeless people, mostly men. They are called "companions". The community provides them with a place where they can live and work. It is a place where people live together in a spirit of solidarity. Some companions live there temporarily while going through a tough phase in life and the community supports them towards social reinsertion; others see life in the community as an alternative way of life. There are 3 founding principles in all Emmaus Communities: welcoming people (everybody, regardless of their origin and their past); working, which is seen as fundamental for a sound life and as the way to reinsertion and reconstruction of self esteem; sharing is the third pillar of life in the community.
The group of volunteers will work from Tuesday to
Friday, 7 to 8 hours a day, as the companions. Days off on Sunday and
Monday. Volunteers have to be motivated and have to respect the
timetable at all times (it is very important for the companions to have
fixed schedules).
The work will consist of helping
the community in their everyday tasks such as: sorting out second hand
clothes, sorting out second hand furniture, materials or books… helping
to collect second hand items from the people's houses (only strong
volunteers can do that), selling the books, clothes, furniture to the
public, tidying up the different little “shops” in the community… and
finally, any job that can be useful for the well-being of the community.
Special requirements: Coming to Emmaüs means a commitment to respect both the companions and the rules of the community. You will be expected to show tolerance and open-mindedness. No special knowledge or competence is required for this project, except being motivated, curious and loving to work in a group.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Discovering Crest (visit of the tower, abseiling...), and various sites of the Drôme valley such as Die (old town, and cooperative cellar), Saillans (magnagnery), Aouste (oil mill)...; visit of the town of Valence, Montélimar (museum of the miniature and manufacture of nougat), Romans (the shoe museum); excursion to discover the Vercors; sports, rides, hikes, swimming, canoe (Drôme). The community will organize leisure activities for the volunteers such as concerts and visits outside the community.
Accommodation: You will be hosted in a building in the community. Mattresses will be provided but you have to bring your sleeping bag.
Location: Located at 10 km south of Valence, in the Drôme, Etoile sur Rhone (4,500 inhabitants) is a town which overhangs the valley of the Rhône. Its village, at the heart of the enclosure of the 15th century, reveals an architectural heritage of quality: a church, stone houses, a chapel and a castle. As for its countryside, it is characterized by very diversified landscapes (the rivers Rhône and Véore, agricultural and fruit bearing zones, hills and woods). The community is sheltered in a priory at 1.5 km from the village.
Terminal: Valence
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoration
of the local patrimony in Rhone-Alpes
Dardilly, Limonest & Saint-Didier, Rhone-Alpes
June 23 - July 13, 2013
Volunteer project: The volunteer group will be divided into 2
teams, and will be able to work at two different sites every day.
Supervised by many local volunteers, the teams will shift, so that
everyone can participate in various missions. In the town of
Saint-Didier au Mont La Roche, you will perform masonry work to renovate
a wall, according to the traditional technique of dry stone. You will
also help brush and clean a pond on the site. You will be working on
Limonest Battery Quarries: masonry with lime on a scarp and clearing of
a path. Finally, you will also work in the Fort Dardilly, cleaning
(removal of internal parts) and maintaining the woodwork. All activities
are physical and sometimes involve heavy lifting. The group will work 5
hours a day, 5 days a week.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visit to Lyon (Fourvières, Croix Rousse, Cathedral, Place des Terreaux, Museum of Arts, park and zoo of la Tête d’Or…), trekking and walks in the Beaujolais, visiting vineyards, visiting the “pierres dorées” (golden stones), swimming pool, visit of Villefranche, etc. Many walks and discoveries are also possible on site. The local population will hope to meet you: dinners in families, initiation to a typical French game, evening together, leisure activities organised by some local organizations.
Accommodation: You will stay in a sport hall in the town of Limonest. Showers and kitchen on site. Sleeping on mattresses. Please, bring a sleeping bag.
Location: The three municipalities that welcome you are located a few minutes from the city of Lyon, close to the Monts d'Or. These hills form a unique setting in which natural and built heritage encourage walking and discovery. You will have the opportunity to discover and learn a lot about the historical heritage of Dardilly, Limonest and Saint-Didier.
Terminal: Lyon
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Renovating
an old presbytery in Normandie
Saint-Germain de Tallevende, Normandie
June 24 - July 6, 2013
FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: The volunteers in this project will
contribute to the restoration and preservation of the local heritage of
the region. The group will help renovating the walls of the presbytery,
which will become the seat of the municipality after the renovation is
completed.
The international participants, along with local volunteers, will attend
training workshops on heritage preservation organized by a local
association. Work activities are 4-5 hours a day.
Special requirements: Interest in built heritage.
Language: French
Accommodation: In a house.
Location: Town of Vire, region Basse Normandie
Terminal: Caen
Age range: 20 - 30 years old
Promoting
positive attitudes and raising awareness of disability issues
Avermes, Auvergne
June 30 - July 15, 2013
FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: The host association advocates for
integration, awareness and positive image of the disabled people. The
association collects clothes, furniture, books, dishes, ornaments, and
other donations which are sold to benefit the activities and events of
the association.
You will support the activities of the association by helping to collect and sell furniture and other donations, and by taking part in an awareness campaign called Enduro’Carpe (24 hours of fishing). Six international volunteers will work on these activities together with local volunteers. Your schedule will be the same as the one of the local volunteers. This means that you could work all the day and during the weekend for the Enduro’Carpe event. For this project, we need you to be motivated, involved and conscious about disability issues.
At the beginning of the project, there will be a workshop led by the group leader about eco-responsibility and sustainable development. The goal of this workshop is to implement eco-responsible acts and behaviours during your stay. The idea of the workshop is to present to the other volunteers what is done in your country about sustainable development and eco-responsibility, as it is different in each country. Then all the volunteers together will prepare a list of what could be done so your stay be eco-responsible, inspired from what you've heard during the presentations. Bring some material about sustainable development and eco-responsibility with you (documents, pictures...).
Language: French
Possible free time activities: During your leisure time, some activities will be organised with the local people.
Accommodation: You will be accommodated under tents on a farm located in the village of Saint-Ennemond, 16 km away from Avermes, where the project activities are taking place. Bring your sleeping bag. Transportation will be organised every day to drive you to Avermes.
Location: The association is located in Avermes in the Allier department, 5 km away from Moulins. Saint-Ennemeond is 16 km away from Avermes.
Terminal: Moulins
Age range: 20 - 30 years old
Traditional
stone building in Beaujolais wine growing region
Pommiers, Rhone-Alpes
June 30 - July 20, 2013
Volunteer project: It is with the intention to preserve its architectural heritage that the municipality hosted its first international workcamp in 2000. Since then, volunteer teams restored a lime kiln, two martyrdoms and many dry stone walls. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the many contacts with the population, the municipality wishes to continue the project.
Leaded by local volunteers, you will help to create flowerbeds. You will build stone trays which will be then filled with ground and flowers. This is an unique opportunity to learn the traditional stone wall building technique, which is typical for this region! These constructions will be realized around an ancient calvary, in order to embellish the place. You will work 4 to 5 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visit of Lyon and Villefranche-sur-Saône. Discovering the vineyards, medieval villages, the valley of Azergue, the “Monts du Beaujolais” or the “Dombes”. Swimming in the lake at Villefranche. Sport: badminton, hiking, tennis...
Accommodation: In the changing rooms of the football ground (showers, kitchen, sleeping rooms).
Location: Located at the south of the “Monts du Beaujolais”, 40 km from Lyon, Pommiers is part of the most important places for Beaujolais wine growing. The municipality is also attentive to preserve its historical heritage.
Terminal: Villefranche sur Saône
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoration
project in the town of Etoile sur Rhone
Etoile sur Rhone, Rhone-Alpes
June 30 - July 20, 2013
Volunteer project: International volunteer groups have
been working on this restoration project for a few years, along with the
teenagers of the Youth and Culture Centre and with the
volunteers of an organization specialized in heritage protection. In the
past years, clearing and cleaning work was done by international
volunteers, as well as restoration work on the walls and on the
building.
This year, you will work on the restoration of an ancient stonewall in a new neighbourhood of the village, which involves
traditional masonry work. Guided by a professional, the group will work
4-5 hours in
the morning, Monday through Friday, for the 3 weeks of the project
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Discover Crest (visit of the Tower and abseiling, old town, night activities) and of various sites of the Drôme valley such as Die (old town and cooperative cellar), Saillans (magnanerie), Aouste (oil mill), etc.; visit of the towns of Valence, Montélimar (museum of the miniature and manufacture of nougat), Romans (the shoe museum); excursion to discover the Vercors; sport: rides, swimming, canoe (Drôme); Lake festival at Etoile and national day on 14th of July; meeting with other workcamps. The local youth will be happy to share some leisure activities with you (sports, trips…)
Accommodation: In a former chapel (“les Pénitents Blancs”). Dormitory, kitchen and sanitary facilities in the chapel; washing machine available. Mattresses will be provided; please, bring your sleeping bag.
Location: Located 10 km south of Valence, in the Drôme department, Etoile (4,500 inhabitants) is a town which overhangs the Rhône valley. Its village, at the heart of an enclosure of the 15th century, reveals an architectural heritage of quality: a church, apparent stone houses, a chapel and a castle. As for its countryside, it is characterized by very diversified landscapes (the banks of the rivers Rhône and Véore, agricultural and fruit-tree zones, hills and woods).
Terminal: Valence
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Improving
the trail network of Luzinay
Luzinay, Rhone-Alpes
June 30 - July 20, 2013
Volunteer project: Guided by local volunteers, the international group will carry out maintenance of communal trails in Luzinay. This would require ground leveling, clearing, manufacturing of wooden steps, creation of a rest area, construction of wooden furniture ... The work activities are 4 to 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Note: you may have to walk a few miles to get to the places of construction!
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Walks, meetings with the locals, shared evenings with the villagers, swimming pool, visit of Luzinay and the surrounding villages, visit of Vienne, St Romain en Gal (archeological site), Lyon. The local volunteers will try to find bikes for you so that you can visit the region by yourself. You will even have the chance to attend the national day party in Luzinay on July 14th !
Accommodation: The group will be hosted in a municipal building called «Salles des Arcades». Mattresses will be provided, please bring your own sleeping bag.
Location: Luzinay, 2300 inhabitants, is located in the Isère department, 10 km away from Vienne and 30 km from Lyon. It is a rural village but you can find there a church, a post office and some little shops.
Terminal: Vienne
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoration
of historical monuments in a rural village of Puy de Dôme
Montmorin, Auvergne
July 7 - July 20, 2013
Volunteer project: In the frame of the international volunteer project in Montmorin, you will complete the restoration of the roof of the oven of the hamlet of Vialle and Coissard and learn about old methods of construction and use of antique materials. The work involves repairing the roof and laying out the floor of the oven of Vialle, and installation of the oven of Coissard.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visit of the medieval castle at Montmorin, visit of Billom, swimming-pool in Billom, tennis, basketball, visit of the castles around (Mauzun, Ravel, Martinanches), walk in the Madet valley, canoe at Ste Marguerite, hike to the Puy de Dome, visit of Clermont Ferrand, visit of Issoire (international folklore festival).
Accommodation: You will be accommodated in the school of the village. Mattresses will be provided. 15 minutes walk to the work site. There are no shops in the village. The closest shops are in Billom (4 km).
Location: Montmorin is a small rural village of 518 inhabitants, formed by 40 hamlets. The village is located, for one part, in the region of Buttes and the other part is in the Regional Natural Park of Livradois-Forez. Montmorin has a great built heritage, for example the Montmorin castle, built in the 12th century, partially destroyed now. It is classified “Monuments Historiques”. This village will delight those who love nature and old stones. Altitude: 600 m. Towns nearby: Clermont Ferrand (25 km).
Terminal: Clermont-Ferrand
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoring
the local patrimony of Rhone-Alpes
Pont d’Ain, Rhone-Alpes
July 7 - July 20, 2013
Volunteer project: Pont-d'Ain is located in Ain department in eastern France. Under the supervision of a carpenter and a mason, the group of international volunteers will be in charge of restoring two old wells in the town, part of the local patrimony. The volunteers will be involved in carpentry, masonry and especially, replastering of walls, cleaning and protection of the walls, reconstruction of demolished parts ... The group will also carry out cleaning and clearing work for the enhancment of the two sites. Work is 5 days a week, 4 or 5 hours a day (in the morning).
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Many activities will be organised by the municipality and the local people: visit of Lyon, canoeing, Les Allymes Castle, hiking, Village Party with fireworks, barbecue with the locals, etc.
Accommodation: In a house near the church. Mattresses provided, but remember to bring your sleeping bag.
Location: Pont d’Ain is located in the middle of Ain department, between Amberieu en Bugey and Bourg en Bresse. 2532 inhabitants live in this town. Olivet Mount is 314m high, at the top of Pont d’Ain.
Terminal: Ambérieu en Bugey
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoration
of a traditional oven in Auvergne
Chalvignac, Auvergne
July 7 - July 27, 2013
Volunteer project: Volunteers' help is needed for the restoration of the old bread oven in Monteil: exterior cleaning on the roof (removing invasive vegetation), repairing joints inside the building and delivering stone for places inside the oven. You will be supported by a local professional in restoration. You will work 5 hours in the morning, Monday through Friday.
At the beginning of the project, there will be a workshop led by the group leader about eco-responsibility and sustainable development. The goal of this workshop is to implement eco-responsible acts and behaviours during your stay. The idea of the workshop is to present to the other volunteers what is done in your country about sustainable development and eco-responsibility, as it is different in each country. Then all the volunteers together will prepare a list of what could be done so your stay be eco-responsible, inspired from what you've heard during the presentations. Bring some material about sustainable development and eco-responsibility with you (documents, pictures...).
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Local volunteers will help you discover the natural and historic riches of the region. Taking part in the Chalvignac workcamp represents a way to get integrated into the local life for 3 weeks and to discover the local culture: Miremont Castle celebration (the 14th and 15th of July), the Crouzit-bas hamlet fest (the 22nd of July). Some visits and excursions will be proposed to the group.
Accommodation: You will be accommodated in the school in the center of the village. Mattresses will be provided. Bring your own sleeping bag.
Location: Chalvignac is a charming village with a population of 500 in the south-west of the Auvergne region, near the Dordogne’s Gorges. Its natural surroundings are exceptional, with beautiful landscapes. The village has a lot of built heritage buildings, as witnesses of the historical past of Chalvignac.
Terminal: Mauriac
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Stream
clean-up in Issoire
Issoire , Auvergne
July 7 - July 27, 2013
FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: The town of Issoire has several small
streams, called “béal” in French (used by inhabitants to water their
gardens), which are polluted by trash. You will help upkeeping the
“béal”, which includes cleaning trash, cleaning the bed of the streams,
putting stones in the stream’s bed to facilitate the water flow,
development of the banks and the surroundings, making the sidewalk safer
by installing a wooden fence, renovating a statue. For the upkeeping of the “béal”, you
will be under the supervision of a professional.
Language: French
Possible free time activities: Visit of Issoire (Abbey, Clock Tower, Centre of Roman Art), exchanges with young people and organizers of the Youth House, International Folklore Festival, exchanges with local associations (sport).
Accommodation: The accommodation is located in the local sport hall. Camp beds provided. Bring your sleeping bag. There are a lot of shops in the town: supermarkets, bakeries, butcher’s shops, restaurants, pharmacy, cafés, and library.
Location: Town of 13,000 inhabitants, Issoire is located 35 km south of Clermont Ferrand, between two natural parks: the Auvergne Volcanoes Park and the Livradois Forez Park. The Allier river runs through Issoire and attracts many canoe riders in the summer. During the project, you will benefit from one week of the international folklore festival, a big event for this town.
Terminal: Issoire
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Renovation
of footpaths by the Seine River
Juziers, Île-de-France
July 7 - July 27, 2013
Volunteer project: Located at the doors of the natural park of the Vexin, Juziers and its 3700 inhabitants are proud to host their fourth international volunteer project with the objective to protect their local heritage and to put the community on the road to opening and discovery. The municipality is really enthusiastic by the idea of welcoming a group of volunteers and will assign them the rehabilitation of paths.
Under the supervision of local technical agents, the volunteers will work on the rehabilitation of paths located in town. Some of the activities are cutting logs, clearing, digging in. You will have to clean and paint the former barrack of the town. The work will be 5 hours a day, in the morning, 5 days a week.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visits, excursions, barbecues, international evening, hikes in the forest...
Accommodation: You will stay in the municipal House for Everyone. Mattresses will be provided, so you will have to bring your sleeping bag only.
Location: Located on the right side of the Seine at 38 km from Paris, Juziers is a city-door of the natural regional park of the Vexin. This park spreads over 66 000 hectares and gathers 99 municipalities with the goal to preserve the natural environment, to rehabilitate the built heritage and to develop the agriculture with respect to the environment.
Terminal: Juziers
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Volunteering
in an Emmaus community
Neuilly-Plaisance, Île-de-France
July 1 - July 19, 2013
Neuilly-Plaisance, Île-de-France
August 5 - August 23, 2013
FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: Emmaus is a community that welcomes
marginalised and homeless people, mostly men. They are called
"companions". The community provides them with a place where they can
live and work. It is a place where people live together in a spirit of
solidarity. Some companions live there temporarily while going through a
tough phase in life and the community supports them towards social
reinsertion; others see life in the community as an alternative way of
life. There are 3 founding principles in all Emmaus Communities:
welcoming people (everybody whatever their origin and their past);
working, which is seen as fundamental for a sound life and as the way to
reinsertion and reconstruction of self esteem; sharing is the third
pillar of life in the community.
The work will consist of helping the community in the everyday tasks such as: sorting out second hand clothes, sorting out second hand furniture, materials or books… helping to collect the second hand items from people's houses (only strong volunteers can do that), selling the books, clothes, furniture to the public, tidying up the different little “shops” in the community… and finally, any job that can be useful for the well-being of the community.
There are 50 men living in the Emmaüs Neuilly
Plaisance community. Most of the companions have had hard times and harsh
experiences. They are often tough people in appearance, who won’t talk
much at first.
Volunteers should be mature, and aware of the difficulty of establishing
communication with the companions and of gaining their confidence.
It is important to keep in mind that this is a social project, so that
volunteers have to adapt their timetable to the one of the companions.
Volunteers will have to be really motivated because it is a difficult
work: they will work from Tuesday to Saturday from 7:30 am till 5:00 pm.
Sunday and Monday are free. Please note that although the project is
close to Paris, you will have limited time to visit the city, due to
long working hours.
Special requirements: A motivation letter in French is required, to ensure that the volunteers understand the project and explain why they want to participate.
Language: French
Possible free time activities: Walk along the Seine, visit of Paris, of Vincennes, activities to be organised with the companions.
Accommodation: To facilitate communication and integration, volunteers will take all their meals with the companions at the restaurant of the community. Volunteers will be hosted in basic conditions in a prefabricated building.
Location: Town of Neuilly-Plaisance, department de Seine-St-Denis (Ile de France)
Terminal: Paris
Age range: 20 - 30 years old
Preservation
of the ruins of a castle from the XIIc.
Bramevaque, Midi-Pyrenees
July 8 - July 27, 2013
Volunteer project: Supervised by an experienced mason, the group of volunteers will continue the conservation of the remains of the castle of the Earls of Comminges in Bramevaque. The work activities include clearing of the overgrowth, masonry, building of small stone walls. The site hosts several hundreds of visitors in the summer months.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Hiking, swimming in the river, visit of prehistoric caves, the famous abbey of St Bertrand de Comminges, the water sports resort of Antignac, the Barousse museum.
Accommodation: You will stay in tents on the grounds of the castle. Important: the living conditions are very simple and basic. This is a remote place and the project is suitable for nature lovers. Access to the castle is only by foot (10 minute walk up a steep path from the village). No public transportation.
Location: Bramevaque is a charming rural village of 30 inhabitants, at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains marking the border with Spain. The site offers beautiful landscapes and view points. The Barousse valley is one of the most remarkable valleys of the Pyrenees; it is also on the itinerary of the “Tour de France” cycling race. The nearest cities are Montrejeau (15 km) and Toulouse (25 km).
Terminal: Montréjeau-Gourdan-Polignan
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Construction and renovation projects in scenic
villages of Rhone-Alpes
Pays d’Oingt, Rhone-Alpes
July 13 - August 3, 2013
Volunteer project: The team of international volunteers will work in cooperation with a group of local young people on several different project sites. Supervised by volunteers and technical employees, you will perform various maintenance, development and enhancement works in the towns of Châtillon and Wood Oingt. These would include painting, small masonry, landscaping, carpentry, etc. Work is in the morning, 4-5 hours per day, 5 days a week.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: You will have various opportunities for discovering this scenic area. Possible leisure activities: visiting villages in the surroundings (Oingt, Theizé, Jarnioux, Ternand, Chatillon d’ Azergue...), walks to the chapel panoramic site, visits of vineyards and caves of the Beaujolais wine, excursions in Lyon (many museums, zoological park, cathedral…), meetings and shared evenings with the local population, etc.
Accommodation: You will be hosted in the neighbor town Chessy-les-Mines, on the former camping site. You will sleep under tents, on ground mattresses. Please, bring your own sleeping bag.
Location: The Pays d’Oingt is located 40 km north from Lyon, in the “Land of golden stones”, a lovely part of Beaujolais. One can discover here true "small Tuscany", with many villages on the hill tops. Testimonies of past heritage are present everywhere.
Terminal: Lyon
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Building
eco huts in the Natural Park of Vercors
Vassieux en Vercors, Rhone-Alpes
July 13 - July 26, 2013
Vassieux en Vercors, Rhone-Alpes
August 4 - August 17, 2013
Volunteer project: The project is based in an outdoor nature camp in the heart of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, a protected area of forested mountains in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.
Volunteers will help build eco-huts on the site of the camp. Guided by a professional carpenter and facilitators of the place, the group will perform various tasks: construction of the floors, framing, setting up and installation... You will also be asked to take part in other activities related to the operation and maintenance of the site, such as gardening, writing a blog, crafts and various construction works (e.g. building a solar oven), preparation of an open day for visitors, etc.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: With the help of the group leaders, you can organize numerous activities for leisure and discovery, group games in nature, introduction to Aikido, hiking, visiting local producers, creating a radio show. The Vercors plateau is known for its great acts of resistance during the Second World War - you can also explore this piece of local history.
Accommodation: You will be accommodated in tents on the camp site. The mattresses will be provided, but please bring your sleeping bag. The camp host pays special attention to the management of resources, energy and waste on the site, but also to the source of materials and food. Whenever possible, meals are prepared with local and organic products.
Location: The campsite is located a few miles from Vassieux en Vercors, a mountain village at more than 1000m above sea level.
Terminal: Valence
Age range: 14 - 17 years old
Extra fee: 350 Euro
Castle
renovation project in Ariege
Varilhes, Midi-Pyrenees
July 14 - August 3, 2013
Volunteer project: Supervised by a professional, you will participate in the rehabilitation of an old barn on the grounds of the castle "Chateu de Fiches". The specific tasks include installation of timber and masonry work on the walls. The site is a historical monument. Note: You must work at heights on scaffolding.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: You can visit local artisans and producers, hike and go sightseeing nearby, visit a museum, theater, castles ...
Accommodation: You will stay in tents in the castle garden. Housing conditions are very simple and basic (solar showers). Access to the castle is done only during opening hours. Tents and sleeping pads provided; bring your sleeping bag.
Location: Chateu de Fiches is located between the communities of Verniolle and Varilhes in the Department of Ariège, at the heart of an area of 50 ha of woods and pastures. The castle opens its doors for specific visits: you will discover among other painted salon ceilings a surprising bestiary (late 16th - early 17th century), representing some forty animals: mammals, birds, exotic animals, fantasy, marine ... The association of the castle organizes tours of the castle, of course, but also various cultural events and many other festive events ...
Terminal: Varilhes
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Enhancement
of the Fortress of the Dunes in the North of France
Leffrinckoucke, Nord-Pas de Calais
July 15 - August 5, 2013
Volunteer project: After seven successfull years of hosting international volunteers, the municipality of Leffrinckoucke wishes to invite a new group to take part in the restoration of the "Fortress of the Dunes", a military fort built in the XIXth century. The objective of the municipality is to develop this site so that it can be visited and used for cultural purposes by local associations and groups, and at the same time to create an intercultural dynamics by favouring links between the local people, visitors and volunteers.
The volunteer project is based in the
fortress, located in the North of France, 500 meters from the beach, and
500 meters from the town of Dunkerque. With a technical leader, you will
work on various parts of the site of the fortress. The planned
activities consist of clearing the outskirts, restoration of the
external staircases, collecting old paving stones and branches and
clearing undergrowth off the ditches. This work will be carried out in
small groups.
The volunteers will help prepare and participate in a meeting with
associations of the town (Beach Fest) during the last weekend, and will
present the international volunteer workcamps.
Language: English
Accommodation: Under tents, at the municipal football grounds (stade municipal). Kitchen and showers nearby.
Location: The town of Leffrinckoucke is located a few kilometers from the town of Dunkerque. Buses are available to reach neighbour towns. The nearest train station is in Dunkerque, and many connections are available by TGV to Lille (35 min) or Paris (2 hours).
Terminal: Dunkerque
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Vocal
Jazz Festival in the medieval town of Crest
Crest, Rhone-Alpes July 21 - August
7, 2013
Volunteer project: Each year, the Crest Jazz Vocal Festival is the strongest moment of the summer period. The preparation of this manifestation of scale needs a lot of time and people available. For more than 10 years, motivated volunteers have helped with its organization.
Guided by volunteers of the association organizing the Festival, you will participate in
the installation of stages and platforms, support of the Festival
promotion (posters, distribution of leaflets in the area), cleaning
after each performance (scene, outside space…). You may also be
asked to prepare the rooms for the artists.
Note: Some tasks are repetitive, but essential. The organizers of the
festival rely on your motivation to help them before, during, but also
after the festival. Hours of work will be very variable according to the
needs. There will be little time for leisure or group life. The
volunteers should be dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic, and of course,
fond of music!
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visit of the Tower of Crest and abseiling, visit of the towns of Valence, Montélimar (museum of the miniature and manufacture of nougat) or Die (old town and cooperative cellar), night markets, free concerts within the jazz festival, swimming pool.
Accommodation: In a sports hall. Mattresses will be provided; bring your own sleeping bag.
Location: Located in the Drôme valley, in the south of the regional park of the Vercors, the small town of Crest has 8000 inhabitants. It is a town which owns a heritage of quality, dominated by its medieval tower (52 m high). Very busy in the summer period, the town offers many sport and cultural activities. Towns nearby: Montélimar (40 km) or Valence (30 km).
Terminal: Valence
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Extra fee: 50 Euro
Crest
At the crossroads of two prestigious and historical routes, the
Route des Dauphins which goes North-South and the Hannibal Road which
goes East-West, Crest is the traditional stopping place for the visitor.
How long has its Tower been dominating the City and who built it?
Many writers and historians have focused their attention on this
picturesque place in the Drôme. All of them agree that the foundation of
Crest dates back to the 10th century.
However it is likely that the Tower was prior to the City and that it
already existed in Roman times. Nowadays we talk about La Tour de Crest
as if there were only one tower. In fact, the study of its foundation
led to the conclusion - one that has still to be confirmed - that it was
built in the 4th century AD. One thing is sure: The tower was built in
order to guard the road from Valence to Italy. This is the famous
“Hannibal Road” which played an important part in Antiquity.
The foundation of Crest is attributed to the Arnauds, a noble family who
owned several castles in the region. They also owned Crest on a “franc
alleu” basis which meant without paying any tax to anyone.
In 1632, Louis XIII published an edict ordering the complete destruction
of the citadel of Crest. This followed Richelieu’s order that all feudal
fortresses be destroyed.
The local authorities managed to avoid part of this destruction program:
the Castle and the walls were demolished, but the Tower was spared.
It was at about that time that the Tower was turned into a prison where a number of key figures were locked up for political reasons. They were followed in the 18th century by priests, soldiers, public servants and even nobles whose actions were not appreciated by the local authorities. People were imprisoned on a simple lettre de cachet, but they were given a great deal of freedom: the prisoners were allowed to organise receptions and balls and they would invite bigwigs of the city with their ladies. Thanks to these festivities, lots of escapes were recorded, the prisoners swapping their clothes with those of their guests.
Trail
restoration and preparing a village festival in Drome Provencale
Clansayes, Rhone-Alpes
July 21 - August 10, 2013
Volunteer
project: Volunteers will appreciate the quality of hosting in
this village, where the local people are pleased to have the
international volunteers' help with the enhancement of their village.
Clansayes has numerous attractions for people who wish to discover its
history, culture and beautiful landscapes.
Supervised by local volunteers, you will participate in the rehabilitation of the access path to the chapel Toronne. Regularly used by tourists and pilgrims, this fairly steep path is gradually degrading. You will take part in different activities: clearing, helping to create log steps, stabilization of dry stone walls, etc. You will work 5 hours in the morning, 5 days a week. You will have to walk 1km to reach the construction site and sometimes you may need to carry heavy loads.
During the weekend of July 27 and 28, you will also participate in the village feast and help the local volunteers with the installation of animations.
Language: English
Accommodation: In a municipal building, in the heart of this lovely traditional village! Mattresses will be provided but please, take your sleeping bag.
Location: Clansayes (500 inhabitants) is located in South Drôme, at the broder with Provence, 20 km away from Montélimar and 5 km away from St Paul Trois Châteaux. The village has many traces of a rich past. Be open, the inhabitants love to welcome the volunteers !!! No shops and no public transportation in the village.
Terminal: Montélimar
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Cadip volunteer project review:
"I wanted to give you some positive feedback on my time in Clansayes, in France. I had one of the best times of my life. The program was exactly as I wanted, and so much more. I had wanted to travel to Europe, but not just backpack through the place. I wanted to get immersed in the culture to get a feel of how life can be over here. In Clansayes, I was totally in touch with the culture. The villagers treated me as a son, a brother, and a friend. The camp leader, Madj, was so diligent with regards to the positivity of our stay there. He was constantly organizing day trips, speaking with the villagers to request bikes for us, and anything else he could do to make our stay more memorable. I loved the people I was staying with. I met people from all over Europe, Russia, and Africa. I met so many people, but not only that, I had time to actually get to know them. I have learned so much from the late night political discussions with 2 serbs and 1 man from Spain. I spoke for hours, and listened for even longer. The mayor of the town was awesome, he took us swimming at his sisters house, he gave us the towns sound system when we requested music, and he pulled some strings to allow all 16 of us have a day of golfing practice. What a guy. I loved the way 2 or 3 of us would cook for everyone else, that allowed for some interesting meals, but also to get to know each other in a deeper way. If you cannot tell by my tone, I am absolutely endorsing this workcamp, I will speak extremely high of your organization and I will tell all of my friends in the states what a wonderful time I had. I believe that I am a better person for having this experience, thank you very much."
Stephen M.,
Cadip volunteer 2007
Preservation
and improvement of historic heritage sites in Poleymieux
Poleymieux au
Mont d’Or, Rhone-Alpes
July 21 - August 10, 2013
Volunteer project: The volunteers in this project will work on two different historical sites in Poleymieux: the ancient hermitage and a mill, known as Ampere’s mill, both in ruins. The town’s council wants to bring out both sites, and they need your help. Led by a professional, who has already supervised many international groups, you will do some clearing and cleanup (you may need to carry heavy stones occasionally). You will also help with some masonry work for consolidating the remaining walls.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visit of Ampere Museum, hiking, discovering the built heritage, visit of Lyon, meetings with local people, etc.
Accommodation: Under tents, on the petanque ground (kitchen and showers near the camp). Ground mattresses will be provided, please bring your sleeping bag.
Location: Poleymieux au Mont d’Or is a town with more than 1200 inhabitants, located in the “massif du Mont d’Or”, 6 km far from North Lyon and 13 km far from the center of Lyon. Despite the beginning of urbanization, the village has preserved its rural character.
Terminal: Lyon Part-Dieu
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Support
the organisation of the international film festival in Apchat
Apchat, Auvergne
July 22 - July 30, 2013
FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: You have a passion for Cinema? Then
this project is made for you! An
international film festival in Apchat called “ONE Country ONE Film” will
be organised for the fourth time this summer. The
main goal of the festival is cultural exchange between countries. This
film festival is located in a rural area and also aims to gather the
local population on a common cultural event. It will take place from the
26th to the 28th of July. The films are short or long independent
movies. Movie directors and actors will participate. For the second time
this year,
international volunteers will be associated with the event. Three international
volunteers are recruited for this project.
As a volunteer, your work will be divided in three parts: before, during and after the festival. You will be under the supervision of the organisers. Before the festival: setting up the projection room, installation of barriers… During the festival: setting up the projection room every day, information/box office, refreshment area, opening ceremony, possible interpreting. After the festival: dismantling of the installation, cleaning of the site. Please note: You will work a lot during the whole duration of the festival, and until the site is cleaned. The rhythm of the work can vary from one day to another. Be flexible and committed. The work could be physically demanding.
Language: French
Accommodation: You will be accommodated separately in local people’s houses with a friendly atmosphere. You will share the meals with the family which hosts you. This experience will be full of sharing and conviviality.
Location: Apchat is a small village of 210 inhabitants located in the south of the Puy-de-Dôme department, in the Auvergne region. Apchat is located in the Natural Regional Park of Volcanoes of Auvergne in a natural environment. The village has also a great built heritage: the Saint-Medard Church from the 15th century is listed as a Historical Monument since 1985. You will be proposed some activities during your stay.
Terminal: Issoire
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Sustainable
waste management initiative in Gelles
Gelles, Auvergne
July 28 - August 17, 2013
Volunteer project: The international volunteers will support an initiative for increasing recycling and promoting more sustainable waste management practices in the town of Gelles. The group will lay out 8 to 10 waste storage areas in different hamlets of the municipality. The tasks consist of laying of a concrete base, setting up structure guides for the piles of iron and wood, and placing wood sidings to hide the containers.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Village festival in August, exchanges with the young people of the village, musical evening and traditional dance of Auvergne with a folk group “Bruyères et Jonquilles”, basketball, pétanque at night, Gel’ Arc: shooting with a bow, international meal, football, tennis, excursion in Clermont Ferrand and hiking on the Puy-de-Dôme.
Accommodation: You will be accommodated in the presbytery in the center of the village. Beds will be provided, bring your sleeping bag.
Location: Located at 850 m of altitude, the village of Gelles covers a surface of 4753 ha and gathers a population of 1002 inhabitants. Gelles is sheltered by the small chain of Puys (Neuffont, Vialle, Banson, and Boucaud). Gelles has beautiful houses made of gray-blue stones, around the Saint-Georges church. Formerly, it was a stage on the Roman way from Clermont to Limoges. Today, close to major roads of communication, it offers beautiful nature. Gelles is 46 km away from Clermont Ferrand.
Terminal: Laqueuille
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoration
and preservation of the church in Chaussenac
Chaussenac, Auvergne
July 28 - August 17, 2013
Volunteer project: The international volunteers will contribute to the development of the church in Chaussenac. This church is quite original compared to the traditional catholic churches, since it’s richly decorated and greatly coloured. Years ago, the naves were restored. The altar and the altarpiece were also restored by the famous Catherine Burgues in 2006. The municipality wants to continue the preservation works of the church which attracts tourists.
Under supervision of a municipal worker, you will develop the church inside and outside. Inside, in the steeple, the work will consist of cleaning and redoing of the wooden stairs. Outside, the group will be involved in small masonry works, re-plastering, cleaning of the cross, and painting of the railings. You will work 5 hours per day and 5 days per week.
At the beginning of the project, there will be a workshop led by the group leader about eco-responsibility and sustainable development. The goal of this workshop is to implement eco-responsible acts and behaviours during your stay. The idea of the workshop is to present to the other volunteers what is done in your country about sustainable development and eco-responsibility, as it is different in each country. Then all the volunteers together will prepare a list of what could be done so your stay be eco-responsible, inspired from what you've heard during the presentations. Bring some material about sustainable development and eco-responsibility with you (documents, pictures...).
/Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visits, excursions, hiking, canoe, museums…
Accommodation: You will be accommodated under tents on the sport ground. Bathroom in the locker rooms. Mattresses and tents will be provided.
Location: Close to the town of Mauriac, Chaussenac is a charming authentic village of Le Pays de la Xantrie, on the verge of La Dordogne. The Xaintrie is a secret land, nestled between the Limousin region, the Quercy and the Auvergne region. You will discover a unique rural, preserved and natural heritage walking around hills and forests. Chaussenac is a picturesque village still protected from the excesses of modern civilization! Chaussenac is 15 km away from Mauriac and 50 km away from Aurillac.
Terminal: Clermont-Ferrand
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Reopening
of an old Roman road and organizing a local festival in Midi-Pyrenees
Antichan de Frontignes, Midi-Pyrenees
July 28 - August 18, 2013
Volunteer project: The volunteers will participate in
the reopening of an old Roman road through the village of Antichan de
Frontignes. Some of the tasks are: pruning, weeding, cleaning of stones.
The group will also participate in the organization, conducting and
closure of the local festival that animates and mobilizes every year
much of the population over this period.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: The site is rather isolated but offers many opportunities for hiking, exploring the beautiful local built heritage, sports, possibility of swimming in the lake near the village ... and the village is very lively during the festival.
Accommodation: The volunteers will stay in tents near the village. Tents and sleeping pads are provided. Please, bring your sleeping bag.
Location: Antichan of Frontignes is a small rural village at the foot of the chain of Pyrenees near the Spanish border, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Altitude: 580 m, 87 residents.
Terminal: Montrejeau Gourdan Polignan
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Rehabilitation
of socially disadvantaged areas in Clermont Ferrand
Clermont Ferrand,
Auvergne July 29
- August 18, 2013
FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: The group of international
volunteers will be involved in the rehabilitation of urban furniture in
a socially disadvantaged area in Clermont Ferrand. The work will mainly
consist in painting and repairing common areas of public housing. You
will work with local youth (often quite difficult) in the heart of
sensitive areas. Motivation needed!
You will work from Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 12pm and from 1pm to
4:30pm. Wednesday afternoon is free, as well as Friday.
Special requirements: Motivation letter required with application.
Language: French
Possible free time activities: Welcome drink offered by local associations, exchanges with sports and cultural associations, exchanges with associations developing actions towards youth, where the volunteers will develop themes such as intercultural, citizenship, meal prepared by the international group. In the town: pedestrian street, Cathedral, visit the various museums: the Museum of Art, museum Lecoq, museum Bargouin, sports activities, discovery of the Puy de Dome, visit of Vulcania.
Accommodation: You will be accommodated in an apartment.
Location: Clermont-Ferrand is the prefecture of the department of Puy-de-Dome and capital of the Auvergne region. Partly for historical reasons, the city is often called Clermont. The modern city was born of a union of two separate cities, Clairmont and Montferrand imposed by Louis XIII and confirmed under Louis XV. While Montferrand was founded in the early 12th century by the Counts of Auvergne, on the model of Southwest towns, Clairmont is much older, as it existed in ancient times. The oldest mention of the existence of Clairmont appears in the work of Strabo, in the early 1st century.
Clermont is located in the Massif Central, at 410 metres above sea level. To the west, the city is dominated by basaltic plateau (900m on average) with the chain of Puys, the largest chain of volcanoes (extinguished) in Europe, including the Puy de Dome, the most famous volcano. To the east, the metropolitan area reaches the plain of Limagne, with river Allier. The city is both a point of contact between the plain Limagne and Mountains of Domes. A large part of the city occupies a volcanic hill called the central plateau. It is, in fact, the edge of the crater, 156.000 years old. It is approximately 1,5 km in diameter and has been filled by the alluvium of the Tiretaine, small river running through the city. Clermont is also built on the edge of the valley of Allier. The city has developed around this central plateau on which stands the cathedral, extending to the east in the plain, and to a lesser extent, on the hillsides to the west. Altitude: about 800 meters.
Terminal: Clermont Ferrand
Age range: 20 - 30 years old
Preservation
and enhancement of a castle in Auvergne
Egliseneuve d’Entraigues, Auvergne
August 4 - August 24, 2013
Volunteer project: This year, you will continue the enhancement works on the castle’s site at Egliseneuve d’Entraigues. The development of the site of the old castle involves clearing the surrounding area, restoring the remaining walls by depositing stones in places, securing the site by replacing barriers. The goal is to make the ruins nicer in order to keep the natural and authentic aspect; this is not a rebuilding project. Also, the group will continue the development of a path from the Entraigues’ lake to the caste’s site and from the castle’s site to the Entraigues’s waterfall. You will be under the supervision of workers from the municipality. You will work 5 hours a day in the morning and 5 days a week, Monday to Friday.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Walks in the nature and “between water” is on the program. Other possible activities are: visits, excursions, hiking, canoe, museums…
Accommodation: You will be accommodated under tents on the sport ground. Bathroom in the locker rooms. Mattresses provided; bring a sleeping bag.
Location: Egliseneuve d’Entraigues is a lovely village of 600 inhabitants in the Massif du Sancy and located in the Natural Regional Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne. Egliseneuve d’Entraigues means “between water” and the name fits perfectly the village: there is a large number of lakes and waterfalls. One of them is famous: the Entraigues’ waterfall with a 18 metres fall. The village also offers a great view on the Dores (Sancy), Cantal and Cézallier assembly lines. It is located on a land that nature lovers and cheese enthusiasts will enjoy! Egliseneuve is 60 km away from Clermont-Ferrand. Altitude: 960 metres.
Terminal: Clermont Ferrand
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Preserving the environment of the Tartaret Volcano
Murol, Auvergne
August 4 - August 24, 2013
Volunteer project: The international volunteer group will be involved in the enhancement of the Tartaret Massif: maintenance of the embankments, cleaning, removing invasive vegetation, maintenance of access via the banks of river Couze, rebuilding and repair work. This Volcano is the youngest of the Massif Central and is under environmental protection. The volunteers will be under supervision of a professional. The group will work 5 hours in the morning, 5 days per week from Monday to Friday.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visits, excursions, hiking, canoe, museums…
Accommodation: Accommodation under tents near the the rugby playground. Mattresses will be provided. Murol is 860 metres above sea level; please bring a warm sleeping bag.
Location: Murol is considered as one of the most beautiful sites of the Auvergne region. The village of 560 inhabitants is a part of the Natural Regional Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne. It is located in the Massif du Sancy born 5 millions years ago. The village benefits of a preserved environment and great landscapes made up of volcanoes and lakes. The site attracted a lot of artists at the beginning of the 20th century who created the Murol School. Murol is 38 km away from Clermont-Ferrand.
Terminal: Clermont-Ferrand
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Restoration of heritage sites in a medieval village in Midi-Pyrenees
Puy l’Eveque, Midi-Pyrenees
August 4 - August 24, 2013
Volunteer project: The charming town of Puy L’Eveque receives for the 10th consecutive year an international volunteer workcamp to assist in its work on renovating the local heritage and regeneration of areas for rest and relaxation. The local council and residents, accustomed to hosting international groups are hoping for numerous exchanges with the volunteers and are willing to share friendly moments with you.
Supervised by a professional, you will work in the historic village of Puy l'Eveque, doing various masonry works. This project is ideal for those who love old stones and manual work.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Swimming pool, canoeing and kayaking, visits to surrounding castles, hikes.
Accommodation: In dormitories in municipal apartments. Take your sleeping bag.
Location: At an altitude of 130 m, 30 km west of the town of Cahors, Puy l’Evêque is a village of 2300 inhabitants. It is a former medieval town, located in the heart of Cahors vineyards. It is built on a hill overlooking the river Lot. It has a very rich heritage of stone built houses and walls. Nearest town is Cahors, rich in history.
Terminal: Cahors
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Rehabilitation
of a rural heritage site in Auvergne
Chaspinhac, Auvergne
August 11 - August 31, 2013
Volunteer project: This summer, the international volunteers will complete the second phase of the rehabilitation works on the Saint-Quentin site in Chaspinhac. The tasks include clearing of the site, sorting stones that will be reused for the reconstruction of buildings, installation of guardrails to secure the site. You will work 5 hours in the morning, 5 days a week.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Visits, hiking, excursions are some of the possible activities. This workcamp is for those who like nature and are really interested in the environmental/ecological dimension of the project.
Accommodation: The group will be accommodated in a building
in the center of the village.
Mattresses will be available. Bring
your own sleeping bag. Volunteers will create and use solar showers. You will
go to the work place by bike (3 km max).
Location: Chaspinhac has 800 inhabitants and is located 15 km north of Le Puy-en-Velay city (no transportation to go to the city). It’s a village with a huge history which attracts tourists and hikers, especially with its preserved environment. Several sites are under environmental protection: the Loire’s Gorges, the Loire’s Valley. One of the hiking paths that crosses the Saint-Quentin site, offers a beautiful view on the Loire’s Gorges. The hamlet of Saint-Quentin, built during the 19th century, hosted farms years ago. Deserted for 70 years now, the buildings are turning into ruins.
Terminal: Le Puy-en-Velay
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Film
creation workshop in Rhone-Alpes
Mably, Rhone-Alpes
August 12 - September 2, 2013
FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: This is the second "creative" international
volunteer project that the city of Mably will host. A group of
international volunteers was hosted in 2009 to organize a live show. The
same year, the idea for a sketch film project was born. Youth workers,
technicians and local politicians expect that international volunteers
will bring their unique ideas and visions for the creation of the film
and give it another dimension. Local youth will also be very interested
to join you in this project and help you discover the region.
For the creation of this "sketch film", you will have
to take part in different workshops such as writing, shooting,
recording, montage, subtitling, dubbing, making costumes, setting,
acting, interviewing, etc. You will also initiate and take part in
debates and discussions on the chosen themes for the film: memory,
borders and fantasy, and you will be asked to share your thoughts and
views.
You will be taught by a professional in audiovisual techniques. You will
work together with young people from Mably, who would have started the
development of a part of the film prior to your arrival. The organizers
expect your genuine involvement, adaptability and creativity!
The film will be presented at the end of the project to the population Mably at the Fêtobourg, in front of hundreds of spectators. The Fêtobourg is a mini festival of street theater, free and popular, which takes place over three days at the end of summer in Mably.
Special requirements: Volunteers who wish to share their various talents and put them at the service of an artistic and intercultural project are expected. Audio-visual skills are welcome.
Language: French
Possible free time activities: You will have time to discover the region and to organize some leisure activities with the local youth: visit of St Etienne, of Lyon, outdoor sports, swimming pool, trekking…
Accommodation: The volunteers will be hosted in a municipal building (common room, kitchen, dorms, showers). You will sleep on mattresses. Please, don't forget your sleeping bag.
Location: Mably is a small town of around 7500 inhabitants, located in the Loire department, in the area of Roanne.
Terminal: Roanne
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Couvre
Feu music festival
Corsept, Pays-de-Loire
August 14 - August 30, 2013
Volunteer project: Couvre Feu is a music festival with rock, reggae, ska, metal, and pop rock concerts, which takes place every year in Corsept in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France. The 12th edition of the festival will take place on August 23, 24 and 25, 2013.
Led by the set directors of the organising team, you will participate in setting up and
taking down the
festival. This includes the installation of circus tents (where concerts
take place), closing the site with barriers, arranging parking lots,
dressing rooms, refreshment stands and restaurants ... During the 3 days
of the
festival, you will also participate in welcoming the public and site
maintenance. The week following the festival weekend will be
dedicated to dismantling, equipment storage, cleaning and restoration of
the site.
Note: Tasks are a little repetitive but essential. Festival
organizers are counting on your motivation to help before, during and
after the festival. Work schedules will vary a lot according to
the needs. Little time for leisure activities, but the atmosphere is very festive.
Volunteers must be especially dynamic and enthusiastic, and of course must be
music fans!
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Enjoying the beach and water sports; charming beach resorts like Pornic and Saint-Brevin-les-Pins; large sandy beaches dotted with fishing spots; walks along the coastal footpath in Bourgneuf Bay, along the Loire estuary, or in swamps and thickets of the hinterland.
Accommodation: You will stay, as all the other volunteers (400 people) and organizers of the festival, in tents at a camping site. Tents will be provided, you will need to bring a sleeping bag and mattress.
Location: Located on the south bank of the Loire estuary, and northern boundary of the Pays de Retz Atlantic, the village of Corsept has 2,600 inhabitants. Pays de Retz: At the heart of unspoiled landscapes between Brittany and the Vendee, west of Nantes and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Loire.
Terminal: Nantes
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Extra fee: 50 Euro
Creating a
municipal garden in an authentic alpine village
Villard Reculas,
Rhone-Alpes August
18 - August 31, 2013
Volunteer project: Under the supervision of volunteers from Villard Reculas, the project participants will help with some tasks so as to improve the living environment in the village. You mission is to create and build a municipal garden, which will serve both as a meeting place for locals and as a space for cultivation of aromatic plants. You will help build bins and planters slate, according to local traditional masonry techniques. You will also help in the building of a compost bin. This project will provide an opportunity to learn a little more about the medicinal and aromatic plants, their maintenance, their virtues and their use.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Hiking, cycling, shared meals with local people, etc.
Accommodation: In a cottage, in the center of the village. Don’t forget your sleeping bag.
Location: Villard Reculas is a small village in Eau d’Olle valley in Isere department, situated in the Grandes Rousses - Alpes d’Huez ski area. At 1500 m above sea level, the village overlooks Bourg d’Oisans and the Romanche. This authentic village offers exceptional scenery of the high peaks of Oisans.
Terminal: Grenoble
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Rehabilitation
of aquatic spaces in the valley of Chapiat
Die, Rhone-Alpes
August 18 - August 31, 2013
Volunteer project: The volunteers in this project will
participate in the maintenance of aquatic spaces of the Vallon. You will
help to rehabilitate parts of a channel (cleaning, land stabilization,
reconstruction of small dams) and to clear the river bed (cleaning and
leveling) to facilitate the flow. Work will be for 4 hours per day, 5
days a week.
Note: This workcamp is for people who love to live in the nature in very
simple conditions and are not afraid of dogs (mushers are living on the
camp site)!
Language: English
Possible free time activities: During the project, you will have the opportunity to visit Die, and maybe Valence, and why not the famous vineyards of Clairette de Die (bubble wine, really appreciated in the region). With the members of a local association, you will also try to get a ride with sled dogs, to hike in the forest, and if the weather is nice, you can bathe in the river.
Accommodation: You will be hosted on the site, in very simple conditions (solar showers outdoor, kitchen under tent) and sleeping on mattresses under tents. In case of heavy rain or storm, you can go in a shelter to be protected. Don’t forget your sleeping bag.
Location: The city of Die is located in the South East of France, in the Southern Alps, just at the feet of the Vercors mountains and by the river Drôme. Die and its valley are dominated by the Glandasse mountain (2041 m high). Die is located around 60 km from Valence (1 hour) and the small valley of Chapiat is 3 km from the city of Die.
Terminal: Valence
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
Renovation
and improvement projects in the ancient town of Billom
Billom, Auvergne
August 18 - September 7, 2013
Volunteer project: This year, the group of international volunteers will be involved in various renovation and improvement projects in the town of Billom. The work to be performed will be mainly cleaning, disassembly, reassembly, painting, and also a bit of masonry if necessary. You will work 5 hours a day, in the morning, 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday.
Language: English
Possible free time activities: Participation in a medieval festival, meeting with the local associations, visit of the medieval city, swimming pool, football, basketball, tennis.
Accommodation: In the main building of the campsite. Mattresses will be provided. There's a supermarket, bakery, butcher’s shop, restaurants, pharmacy and café in the village.
Location: Billom is a village of 4800 inhabitants located in the Regional Natural Park of Livradois-Forez, 20 min from Clermont-Ferrand and from Thiers. Originally Gallic village and druidic center, the Romans made of it a stop on the great way connecting Lyon to Bordeaux. Its intense development enabled the village to become one of the first important towns of Auvergne in the XII century and to build its fortifications. The medieval area and old documents are not enough to describe this welcoming village. Billom is 25 km away from Clermont-Ferrand.
Terminal: Clermont Ferrand
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
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