Volunteer opportunities in FRANCE

Improving access to the Clausonne Abbey
Saix, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          June 1 - June 11, 2012
Saix, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          August 31 - September 10, 2012

Volunteer project: Clausonne Abbey was built in the 12th century, a few kilometers away from the actual village of le Saix, in the south Alps of France. It is located 1100m above sea level in a very preserved and quiet environment. Throughout the centuries, the abbey was burnt, destroyed and rebuilt many times. At the beginning of the 20th century, it had become the local parish. Some years later, the main part was finally transformed into a primary school... Since then, the villages around have been deserted and the abbey came to ruins.
Many international volunteer projects were organized on the spot in partnership with a local organization, ‘The Abbey of Clausonne’s friends’, in order to protect the ruins from vegetation and harsh winters.

The aim of the 2012 workcamp is to improve the access to the abbey by building a stone paved foot track. The volunteers will explore traditional techniques of masonry and old “know how” such as building stone walls. This project is also a good opportunity to discover the rural lifestyle, the mountains, its fauna and flora.

Language: English

Accommodation: In dormitories, at the Faï international hosting center.

Location: In the French Alps, 3 km from the little village le Saix, 30 km from Gap, 200 km from Marseille in the South of France.

Terminal: Veynes Devoluy

Age range: 18 and over

 

Creating recreation areas in a medieval village in Midi-Pyrenees
Puy l’Eveque, Midi-Pyrenees          June 3 - June 23, 2012

Volunteer project: The charming town of Puy L’Eveque, which has 2300 residents, receives for the ninth 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, taking part in the development of the banks of the river Lot and creating spaces for walks and relaxation. This is physical work involving land clearing, brush clearing, moving rocks and building walls, to give a new life to this site which is now unused. You will use the pick and shovel, the chisel or the wheelbarrow ... This project is ideal for those who love old stones and for those who are not afraid of manual work.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Swimming pool, canoeing and kayaking, visits to surrounding castles, hikes.

Accommodation: In the municipal apartments, in dormitories, with kitchen and sanitary facilities available.

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. The nearest town is Cahors, rich in history.

Terminal: Cahors

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Help with the organisation and perform at the stage of "Music of the World" festival
La Ferté sous Jouarre, Île-de-France          June 9 - June 26, 2012

Volunteer project: For the third year in a row, Vir’Volt organization and its partners are organizing the Vir’Volt Festival (on the 23rd and 24th of June). The local, musical, intercultural and artistic events of the festival aim at stimulating the community and giving them the opportunity to join us and participate in the Festival. The motto of this third event is : “Music of the World”.

During a fortnight, volunteers will alternate between two activities: they will prepare the site to welcome visitors and the public and they will lead workshops in the studio devoted to musical creation. Volunteers will create together a musical repertory and will sing and play instruments on the stage of the Vir’Volt Festival. Through music and songs, they will promote volunteering to the local youth and the public. Last but not least, they will be in charge of welcoming the public during the festival.

Remark: The workcamp is on no account a touristic holiday; please plan some time before/after the workcamp to visit Paris.

Language: English

Free time activities: Volunteers will enjoy the campsite of the organization, discover the cultural and natural heritage of the region and will take part in numerous local activities and events.

Accommodation: In tents on Vir’Volt campsite

Location: La Ferté sous Jouarre, 60 km from Paris.

Terminal: La Ferté sous Jouarre

Age range: 18 and over

 

Renovation of a stone wall and trekking paths in Saint Alban
St Alban Leysse, Rhone-Alpes          June 17 - July 7, 2012

Volunteer project: Together with the local organisation «The paths of St Alban», the international volunteers will do restoration work on a wall (redoing the joints and paint). The group will also have to manage and clean the trekking paths around the village: removing the brushwoods and making steps if necessary. The volunteers 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. 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, capital of Savoy, which counts more than 50 000 inhabitants. Settled at the limit of the natural park of Les Bauges, the region offers many outside activities and mountain trekking is a usual activity. During the winter, the many different ski stations around Chambéry welcome thousands of tourists, both French and foreigners.

Terminal: Chambéry Challes les Eaux

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Renovation of an old wash-house and support for disadvantaged young people in Auvergne
St Menoux, Auvergne          June 18 - June 30, 2012

Volunteer project: Saint Menoux, as many of French towns and villages, owns an old public wash-house which has been almost forgotten for ages. Therefore we propose this international project of renovation in order to refresh the old wash-house and make it a tourist spot for hikers, and a nice place to meet for the locals.

The work of volunteers will involve masonry, cleaning and building a new roof of the wash-house. This project has also a social objective: the volunteers will work with youngsters from a social institution (i.e.« lightly intellectually disadvantaged »). This work will consist in helping them at their daily work, as well as organising leisure activities (games, visits...). During all the project, the volunteers will be guided and will work in close cooperation with the social workers.

Language: English

Free time activities: This project will allow you to meet people from all over the world and France, to get to know better the rural lifestyle, to visit some cities nearby (e.g. Moulins and Vichy) as well as some tourist spots of this area. A van will be provided for the entire duration of the project.

Accommodation: In dormitories, all the facilities available

Location: Saint Menoux (Allier), 15 km from Moulins-sur-Allier

Terminal: Moulins-sur-Allier

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration project at Clausonne Abbey
Saix, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          June 18 - July 8, 2012
Saix, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          August 6 - August 27, 2012

Volunteer project: Clausonne Abbey was built in the 12th century, a few kilometres away from the actual village of le Saix, in the south Alps of France. It is located 1100m above sea level in a very preserved and quiet environment. Throughout the centuries, the abbey was burnt, destroyed and rebuilt several times. At the beginning of the 20th century, it had become the local parish. Some years later, the main part was finally transformed into a primary school. Each time, it had been reconstructed on rubble of the previous construction. The abbey’s original ground was never affected, and the vestiges of its first destruction, remain buried under the current paving stone.

The local association, "The Friends of the Abbey of Clausonne" has been running the project of covering the abbey’s chorus. It will protect the degraded walls and especially, allow undertaking archaeological excavations within the chorus. Volunteers will join the realization of the skeleton’s foundations, and the implementation of the posts which will support this skeleton. This volunteer project is also a good opportunity to discover the rural lifestyle, the mountains, its fauna and flora.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a campsite, at the Faï international centre

Location: 30 km from Gap, 200 km from Marseille

Terminal: Veynes Devoluy

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration of the historic heritage of Luzinay
Luzinay, Rhone-Alpes          July 1 - July 21, 2012

Volunteer project: Guided by a mason and some local volunteers from the village and from the organization of "The chapelle d’Illins", the international volunteers will work on the chapel of Luzinay, registered in 2008 in the list of Historical Buildings. The chapel is located outside the village (15-20 minutes walk). It has already been renovated and welcomes some concerts and exhibitions. But the small and nice graveyard and the surrounding walls are really in bad shape. So, 5 days a week, 4 to 5 hours a day, in the morning, you will work on the restoration of the walls and the valorization of the site. This will mainly involve masonry work, removing joints, doing some new ones, installing some new equipment for the visitors, etc.

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 village will try to provide bikes so that you can visit the region by yourself.

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

 

Renovating the trail of the medieval towers in Tournon
Tournon sur Rhône, Rhone-Alpes          July 1 - July 21, 2012

Volunteer project: Managed by municipal employees, you will work on the « Sentier des Tours » (Towers trail), which is a path linking the different former towers of the town (medieval site). This requires cleaning the brush and masonry work on the walls. The path is very popular so this is an important project for the town. Moreover, the town will conduct the restoration of the statue of the Virgin at the same time. You will have to walk some time to reach the work place located on the heights of Tournon. You will work 5 days a week, in the morning.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Many walks are possible around Tournon and different events are organized during the summer such as concerts, exhibitions, etc. You may also visit Valence, Annonay, etc.

Accommodation: The group will be hosted in a building in the town. Mattresses will be provided, but please bring your own sleeping bag.

Location: Tournon sur Rhône is a town of almost 11 000 inhabitants. Located on the river Rhône, in Ardèche, Valence is only 20 km away and Lyon 920 km, a few km away from Tain l’Ermitage. The “tournonais region” is famous for its wine St Joseph, and its vineyards in terrace. The city has a rich heritage: the Tournon museum-castle, that you can visit, the St Julie collegial, the bridge, the medieval fortifications…

Terminal: Valence

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Preparing festival decorations and organising activities for kids in Haimps
Haimps, Poitou-Charentes          July 3 - July 24, 2012

Volunteer project: For 4 years, the association "La Motte des Fées" (the clod of the fairies) organizes a festival of current music in the woods. In this natural surroundings, the culture becomes accessible to all generations: children, families, young and less young. This year, another association proposes a partnership to realize the decoration of a universe "cyber-rocker".

The volunteers will intervene on the realization of the decorations of the festival and others on the main entrance of the stage. A technical managerial employee will conduct the volunteers on workshops of sculpture, painting, woodworking, …
The volunteers will organize workshops and games with children in schools and a leisure center. Activities will be also planned with the local people: meals, excursions, visits of the region, the coast, …

Language: English

Accommodation: In a house of the municipality, in dormitories.

Location: Charente-Maritime, 30 km from Saintes and 70 from the coast.

Terminal: Angoulême

Age range: 18 and over

 

Renovation and enhancement of the built heritage in Midi-Pyrenees
Corn, Midi-Pyrenees          July 4 - July 24, 2012

Volunteer project: Corn is a wonderful small village in the middle of the Natural Park of the Causses of Quercy. It is located upon a hill from which you can appreciate the view of the Célé valley. Its architecture in the hilly landscape and its numerous elements of architectural inheritance attest the ancient history of the village.

The work will be divided in two different missions. The first one will be in the centre of the village and will consist of renovation of a stone shed used to stock municipal tools. It is necessary to restore the wooden door, to build a stone wall, to put away the old rendering and make a new one with whitewash and to clean the tile roof which is covered with moss.
The second part of the work will take place next to the village, on the limestone platter which is upon the valley. The place named Cornillou, crossed by a very busy footpath, has a well, a wash-house and a pond that need to be renovated and maintained. Therefore volunteers will have the task to cut the overgrown vegetation and arrange the pavement stones in appropriate way in order to make it more accessible and nice place for hikers to stop.
During the afternoons, the volunteers will organize and participate in different workshops on photography and creative writing, which will be open for volunteers but also for local people. The idea is to make a booklet all together to mark this intercultural exchange.

Language: English

Free time activities: During the leisure time, the volunteers will have the opportunity to discover the region and the Natural Park, its caves and dolmens, appreciate the protected nature and taste the local food. The historical towns and villages such as Cahors, Saint Cirq Lapopie and Figeac, the town of the egyptologist Champollion, are also very nice places to discover.

Accommodation: In tents at a camping

Location: The village of Corn, 170 km North from Toulouse, 60 km from Cahors

Terminal: Figeac

Age range: 17 and over

 

Improving public spaces in villages of Auvergne
Bocage Bourbonnais, Auvergne          July 6 - July 27, 2012

Volunteer project: The municipality of Bocage Bourbonnais works on development of the social life of its area and active participation on local level. That is why the municipality wishes to host every year an international workcamp in order to invite volunteers to this beautiful region, where the dynasty of “Bourbons” is born (they were kings of France in the XVIth and XIXth century).

The villages of Franchesse and Louroux-Bourbonnais propose to host volunteers in the frame of an itinerant workcamp. At first, in Franchesse, volunteers will build small walls in the city centre, whereas in Louroux- Bourbonnais, they will build a wooden shelter that will be used as a storage for some materials. Both villages are used to hosting international volunteers.

Language: English

Free time activities: This project will allow volunteers to meet people from all over the world and France, to get to know better the rural French way of life, to visit some cities nearby (e.g. Moulins and Vichy) as well as some tourist spots of this area. A van will be at volunteers' disposal during the project.

Accommodation: In a municipality building in dormitories.

Location: Franchesse et Louroux-Bourbonnais (Allier), 20-30 km from Moulins-sur-Allier

Terminal: Moulins-sur-Allier

Age range: 18 and over

 

Creating a public garden and environmental education work with the local people of Torcy
Torcy, Île-de-France          July 7 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: It is the 3rd project organized in Torcy, in cooperation with local organizations. Volunteers will lay out a public garden called "L'air de rien", in order to allow its access to everybody. They will also organize educational activities about environmental issues there. Volunteers will work together with other volunteer workers, young people who are involved in inclusion program set up by the organization. Convivial meetings and activities will be organized in the garden in order to meet and share with the locals.
The Garden is very near to a farmhouse - La ferme du Couvent - which is organizing art activities, exhibitions, public discussions, throughout the year. Rhizome, an experimental and research center about fine and visual arts is also set up there. Cultural outings, exchanges, discussions and workshops will be organized by the volunteers and in cooperation with other local organizations in order to meet and share with the locals.

Remark: The workcamp is not a touristic holiday; please manage time before/after the workcamp to visit Paris.

Language: English

Accommodation: In the Farm of Couvent, in dormitories.

Location: Torcy, Seine-et-Marne, 25km from Paris

Terminal: Torcy

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration of the medieval castle walls in Saint Remy
Saint Remy, Franche-Comté          July 7 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: Saint Remy is a small town but with a very rich heritage. You will help renovate an old wall, remains of a medieval castle, on the outskirts of the town. The wall, which is a hundred meters long and 50 centimeters high, is very damaged in several spots. You will take down the most damaged parts of the wall and then rebuilt them and consolidate them. No specific skill is required.

The afternoons will be dedicated to discovering the area together with the local population. The volunteers will actively participate in each stage of their stay. Collective life will allow you to experience three weeks of sharing and intercultural encounters.

Language: English

Accommodation: In the community hall.

Location: The village of Saint Remy is located 20km from Vesoul

Terminal: Vesoul

Age range: 18 and over

 

Various renovation projects in Bocage Sud region
Bocage Sud, Auvergne          July 7 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: The region of Bocage Sud, which is 25 km away of Moulins, invites volunteers to take part in an itinerant workcamp in order to discover better the area. Successively, the group is going to visit the communities of Noyant-d'Allier then St Hilaire.

In Noyant-d'Allier, a village marked by its important history of mining and the presence of a large Asian community, volunteers will renew some school furniture and work on renovation of the Mine Museum.
Afterwards, in St Hilaire, volunteers will work on the renovation of an old wall by using traditional masonry methods. During all the project, volunteers will have the technical support from the professional masons which will give the chance to volunteers to learn these renovation techniques.

Language: English

Free time activities: This project will allow volunteers to meet people from all over the world and France, to get to know better the rural French way of life, to visit some cities in the area (e.g. Moulins and Vichy) as well as some tourist spots of this area. A van will be at volunteers' disposal during the project.

Accommodation: In a municipality building, dormitories

Location: Noyant-d'Allier and St Hilaire (Allier), 20-30 km from Moulins-sur-Allier

Terminal: Moulins-sur-Allier

Age range: 18 and over

 

Improving the recreation and sport facilities in Episy
Episy, Île-de-France          July 7 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: Because this project met a great success last year, people of Episy village are happy to welcome international volunteers again! Episy is a little, nice and leafy community in the south of the French department “Seine et Marne” which has only 517 inhabitants but remains very lively. The project takes place near the marsh of Episy, which is also a protected natural reserve. The community wishes to continue the construction of a place where young and/or sporty people, hikers, inhabitants can meet and do activities together. The goal of this project is to build a friendly and inter-generational area where everybody can feel at ease.

The volunteers are invited to take part in different projects: creation of a fitness trail course, improvement of the area around the municipal stadium, construction of a technical office and of a pergola.

Remark: The workcamp is on no account a touristic holiday; please manage some time before/after the workcamp to visit Paris.

Language: English

Free time activities: Local people from Episy will invite you to discover the local cultural and natural heritage: Fontainebleau castle, its forest, as well as the medieval city of Moret-sur-Loing. We may also organize water activities on the Loing, hiking on mountain bike and even air activities! The atmosphere in the village is very friendly, even familial!

Accommodation: In tents in the village of Episy, all the facilities available

Location: Episy is 60km far away from Paris and 10 minutes drive from Fontainebleau.

Terminal: Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons

Age range: 18 and over

 

Experience the culture and traditions of rural France
Esprels, Franche-Comté          July 7 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: The town of Esprels, the council and its inhabitants will host for the fourth year in a row a group of volunteers to exchange and get to know each other's cultures.

Around the renovation of one of the village's walls (traditional masonry), you will experience a very rich human and cultural experience.
During your free time, the inhabitants will invite you to discover their area and their traditions (sport activities, diners with the inhabitants in their homes, visit to the Chapel of Ronchamps, etc).

Language: English

Accommodation: In the school of the town, camp beds provided.

Location: Esprels is located 20km from Vesoul

Terminal: Vesoul

Age range: 18 and over

 

Preservation and renovation of local heritage in Marnay
Marnay, Franche-Comté          July 7 - July 25, 2012

Volunteer project: For two weeks, the volunteers in this project will work in the mornings on the renovation of a wall of the local cemetery and on the renovation of the former wash house. In the afternoons, you will participate in numerous activities.
The work is physical but doesn't require any specific skills.
The group will be made up of 10 international volunteers and 10 French volunteers from the district of Marnay.

Language: English

Accommodation: In the water sports center, camp beds provided.

Location: Marnay near Besançon

Terminal: Besançon

Age range: 15 - 17 years old

Extra fee: 150 Euro

 

Help convert an old farm into an international meeting centre
Laguépie, Midi-Pyrenees          July 7 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: Mayounelle is an old farm on the top of the hills of Laguepie that a local association is renovating to create an international and intercultural meeting place.
The work will focus on the two ponds next to the farm. You will create a waterproof bottom with stones in the pond and you will also organize the place around the brick-kiln next to the river Viaur. A mason and a very dynamic team of leaders will be here to lead the work.

During the afternoons and week-ends, you will have time to discover the small medieval villages around Laguépie. You will also have the chance to go swimming in the river, to go canoeing in Aveyron's Gorges and to taste the local food in markets or in farms.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents in Mayounelle

Location: Laguépie, 37 km from Albi, 69 km from Montauban, 95 km from Toulouse

Terminal: Laguépie

Age range: 15 - 17 years old

Extra fee: 150 Euro

 

Preservation of an old military fortification near Paris
Montmagny, Île-de-France          July 7 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: La Redoute de la Butte Pinson is an ancient fortification (XIX century). This building stands on the top of the hill, in the center of what may become a Regional Reserve of 110 hectares. For 7 years volunteer teams have been contributing to the restoration and maintenance of the area.

This year again, through many construction projects, clearing brushwood and masonry work, volunteers will work on the preservation of the area and to prepare it to welcome visitors during the Heritage Day in September. It will be an opportunity for the volunteers to learn about the history and culture of the fortification as well as to take part in its development.
This project is organized in cooperation with 4 neighboring communities in order to involve local young people in this project and enable them to discover volunteering. Therefore local youth will come to help the volunteers and cultural outings, exchanges, discussions and workshops will be organized in order to meet each other.

Remark: The workcamp is not a touristic holiday; please manage some time before/after the workcamp to visit Paris.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a municipality building, dormitories.

Location: Montmagny, 15 km from Paris

Terminal: Groslay or Deuil-Montmagny

Age range: 18 and over

 

Renovation of heritage sites in Normandie
Fourneville, Normandie          July 8 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: With the help of a technical leader, the international volunteers will participate in the renovation of the church and the wash-house in Fourneville. Your work will be to take off the rendering part around the church and the wash-house to reveal the rock (this is a manual work, sometimes work at height, taking off the rendering, rubbles evacuation). You will work 5 days a week, 5 hours a day, in the morning.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Hiking, visit of a cider production, visit of Honfleur, Deauville…

Accommodation: You will be accommodated in a building in the center of the village. Mattresses will be available. Bring your sleeping bag.

Location: Fourneville is a town situated in the Basse Normandie region, in Calvados department. This typical Norman architecture village has 500 inhabitants and is located 10 km from Pont L’Evêque, Deauville and Honfleur (no transportation to go to the city) and 60 km from Caen. The day you will arrive, you will be welcomed by a local celebration: the Saint Jean celebration which will enable you to meet the local people.

Terminal: Pont L'Evêque

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Preservation of the ruins of a castle from the XIIc.
Bramevaque, Midi-Pyrenees          July 8 - July 28, 2012

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 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

 

Restoration of historical monuments in a rural village of Puy de Dôme
Montmorin, Auvergne          July 8 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: In the frame of the international volunteer project in Montmorin, you will continue the restoration of the ceiling inside the traditional oven of the hamlet of La Vialle. This includes cleaning stones, stone cutting and sorting, re-plastering, rebuilding. You will be under supervision of a Companion of France (a Compagnon de France is a professional of the traditional work). Some inhabitants will also take part in the work. For those who love old stones! You will work 5 hours in the morning, 5 days per week.

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). You will participate in the 10th birthday of the workcamp the 21st and 22nd of July.

Accommodation: You will be accommodated in the school of the village. Mattresses will be provided. 15 minutes walk to the work site.

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

 

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 of the castle ruins of Allan
Allan, Rhone-Alpes          July 8 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: In cooperation with local volunteers from the organization Allan Pierres et Mémoires, you will participate in the valorization of the heritage of the former village of Allan, that is to say ruins that are on a hill near the nowadays village. Empty of any inhabitants since 1901, the castle and its ruins are the symbols of the history of the village. Your work will consist of masonry work: securing the access, walls, paths, etc. This will be a project for preserving the ruins. You may have to work on scaffoldings. Work activities are 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, 4 to 5 hours a day, in the morning. This is a workcamp for those who love old stones!

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Trekking and walks, swimming, sports, visits of Montélimar and neighbour villages, meetings with locals, 14th of July - the National Day of France, etc.

Accommodation: You will be hosted under tents, at the village stadium. Kitchen and showers on site. Ground mattresses will be provided but you have to bring your own sleeping bag.

Location: Allan is located in South Drôme, 7 km away from Montélimar and has 1600 inhabitants. The “old” Allan is made of ruins that were abandoned at the beginning of the XIXth century. The former castle dominates the ruins.

Terminal: Montélimar

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Preservation and restoration of the church of Urçay
Urçay, Auvergne          July 8 - July 28, 2012

Volunteer project: The municipality of Urçay has started to restore the church of the village on several stages. For example, recently the renovation of the steeple began. The municipality wishes to keep on with the renovation to preserve the value of the monument and to limit the water flood inside the building. Years ago, a rendering was put all around the church and it eases the water flood.
Your work will be to take off the rendering part around the church, to limit the damages of the floods, to create a slope path… You will be supervised by a town employee.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Leisure time activities such as visits, hiking, trips… will be proposed by the local host.

Accommodation: You will be living in Urçay’s camping which has a lovely setting near the Allier river. It is located 5 minutes walk from the city center and 5 minutes walk from the work site. Tents and mattresses will be provided. You need to bring a sleeping bag. There are shops in Urçay: market, bakery, butchery, coffee bar…

Location: On the border of Berry and Bourbonnais, near Tronçais’s forest which is well known to be the most beautiful oak forest in Europe, Urçay is a lovely and quiet village with 300 inhabitants, located in l’Allier, 300 km south of Paris and 35 km away from Montluçon.

Terminal: Vallon-en-Sully

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

A second life for the water springs of Cusset
Cusset, Auvergne          July 9 - July 27, 2012

Volunteer project: For the fourth year, Cusset launches itself into the adventure of an international workcamp. This dynamic and cultural town owns a lot of natural water springs, not as famous as Vichy's, but as good in terms of quality. Formerly used by the inhabitants for their daily consumption, the sources are now in bad condition.

Cusset invites volunteers to clean up, renovate and maintain one of its water springs in the heart of the town. The work will consist of masonry, cleaning, and painting. This work will be an opportunity to offer this spring a “second life”, as well as to introduce volunteers to the history of Cusset.

Language: English

Free time activities: Volunteers will also have the opportunity to enjoy and get to know more about this region, by visiting the surroundings, attending some open-air plays and concerts, hiking in the near “Montagne Bourbonnais”, going to Clermont-Fd (45 min by train).

Accommodation: In a municipality building, dormitories

Location: Cusset, department of Allier, 2 km from Vichy

Terminal: Vichy

Age range: 18 and over

 

Church restoration project in Landrais
Landrais, Poitou-Charentes          July 9 - July 30, 2012

Volunteer project: The mayor and the municipal council have worked together in the past few years to implement various projects in order to improve the well-being of everyone in the village while respecting the environment. This village of 730 inhabitants has 20 km of hiking trails and a real approach of ecological citizenship.

So the municipality proposes enthusiastically this second international volunteer project: The volunteers will intervene on the restoration of a facade of the church of the village. Traditional techniques of masonry, with natural materials, will be taught to the volunteers. Being committed to the sustainable development, we would also like to implement dry-pit toilet on the natural area for leisure activities in the meadows of the municipal yurt. The inhabitants, the technical team and friendly activities already wait for you.

Language: English

Free time activities: The volunteers shall organize with the group leaders their time for excursions and visits: museum, the beach, local parties, …

Accommodation: In yurts.

Location: Charente-Maritime, 30 km from La Rochelle and the coast.

Terminal: Surgères

Age range: 15 - 17 years old

Extra fee: 150 Euro

 

Volunteering in an Emmaus community
Neuilly-Plaisance, Île-de-France          July 9 - July 27, 2012
Neuilly-Plaisance, Île-de-France          August 6 - August 24, 2012

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. They have often been destroyed psychologically and have lost their dignity in some occasions. 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 8 am till 5:30 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 is required, to ensure that the volunteers understand the project and explain why they want to participate.

Language: English and 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, departement de Seine-St-Denis (Ile de France)

Terminal: Paris

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Support the preparations for the summer festival in Wissous
Wissous, Île-de-France          July 10 - July 31, 2012

Volunteer project: Because the international volunteer projects have been really successful since 2009, the people of Wissous village are really happy to welcome a new international volunteer group again! Wissous is a very nice community between Orly airport and Rungis international market. Each year, the community organizes a summer festival "Festiv'été" in the city center, on a place called the «Park of Ponds». Different workshops, games and activities will be organized for families and children.

Volunteers will work in the Park to improve and prepare it for the Festival. It will be also an opportunity to create some contacts with the local population, and especially with the youth there. Volunteers will have to build a low stone wall and renovate an ancient well. They will learn a traditional building technique with millstone, that they will be able to teach to the local youth afterwards. Cultural activities and games will also be organized, enabling volunteers to meet local inhabitants and organizations.

Remark: The workcamp is not a touristic holiday; please plan some time before/after the workcamp to visit Paris.

Language: English

Free time activities: During their leisure time, volunteers will enjoy the beautiful environment of the “Domaine de Montjean”, with its woodsy park, which is a 5 minute walk from the center.

Accommodation: In Wissous gymnasium

Location: Wissous, in the North of Paris

Terminal: Antony

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration of the vestiges of the castle of Bonnivet
Vendeuvre du Poitou, Poitou-Charentes          July 10 - July 31, 2012

Volunteer project: The recent acquisition of the vestiges of the castle of Bonnivet by the municipality of Vendeuvre, has encourages the council to continue with the works started last year. The will of the city hall is to merge it in a continuing project for reorganization, which will renew the site over several years, to restore this heritage and enable its protection and its development.

The volunteers will work on the main facade of the building by digging joints and then re-jointing the stones. Works of traditional masonry, work with lime, stone cutting, will be taught to the volunteers.
The volunteers will also participate in cultural, sports and creative activities. The population and the local associations are looking forward to host the international volunteers.

Language: English

Free time activities: The youth service of the municipality will organize excursions for the volunteers and local youth.

Accommodation: In a school in dormitories

Location: Vienne is about 20 km from Poitiers

Terminal: Poitiers

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration of the ancient slipway of Auvillar
Auvillar, Midi-Pyrenees          July 11 - August 1, 2012

Volunteer project: The ancient city of Auvillar on the edge of the Garonne river is known as one of the most beautiful villages of France. It's a gorgeous place to visit because of its important architectural heritage, among which a very sophisticated medieval market hall. It is also a remarkable halt on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

The work will be dedicated to the restoration of the ancient slipway of the city. This place is now hidden with a thick layer of silt, sand and grass and needs cleaning. This work is meant to give back the historical and genuine appearance of the slipway with visible stones and pebbles. There will be some small building-works to do (masonry on stone walls). Two retired artisans will be there to guide you and make sure that the work is going well. You will also have the opportunity to create some activities for the leisure centre of Auvillar.

Language: English

Free time activities: During the three weeks of the project, there will be several local festivities as village dances or concerts. The tourist office is also organising 3 night-walks around the village. In the afternoons you will have the opportunity to hike around the surrounding footpaths and discover the many leisure time activities.

Accommodation: In a dormitory in the community hall.

Location: Auvillar, 80 km North-West from Toulouse

Terminal: Valence d'Agen

Age range: 17 and over

 

Build a pebble street and explore the rich historical heritage of Montricoux
Montrocoux, Midi-Pyrenees          July 13 - August 2, 2012

Volunteer project: The village of Montricoux, located at the “doors of the Aveyron's gorges” and right at the end of Massif Central, is full of wonderful pieces of architectural heritage with its castle, churches, wash-house and battlements.

During the first two weeks, you will have the chance to participate in the building of a small pebble street in the heart of the village, in front of the ancient convent. You will realize this street in collaboration with the children of Maison de Arts of Nègrepelisse. You will work during the first two weeks, from Monday to Friday and you will be led by volunteers from the village and two local artisans.

The last week will be free and you will have time to discover the different villages around, to organize projects with the children of Maison des Arts and hike around numerous paths. It will also be the occasion for you to meet the local population and to exchange different aspects of your culture.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents, all facilities available

Location: Montricoux, 12 km from Caussade, 80 km North-East of Toulouse

Terminal: Caussade

Age range: 17 and over

 

Construction and renovation projects in scenic villages of Rhone-Alpes
Châtillon - Le Bois d’Oingt, Rhone-Alpes          July 15 - August 4, 2012

Volunteer project: The villages of Chatillon d’Azergue, Le Bois d’Oingt and Chessy les Mines work together in order to welcome this volunteer workcamp. The local organization Cap Generation is at the initiative of the project. You will have the opportunity to meet French youth and villagers !

At Châtillon d’Azergues, you will build a skate park for and with the local youth. You will be guided by a professional worker. In Le Bois d’Oingt, you will do painting work on a municipal building. Work is 5 days a week, 4 to 5 hours a day, in the morning. You will work together with teenagers and youth form the villages.

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 cellars of the Beaujolais wine, excursions in Lyon (many museums, zoological park, cathedral…), meetings and shared evenings with the local population, etc.

Location: The village of Châtillon d’Azergues is located at the southern limit of Beaujolais wine region, source of one of the most famous wines in France. One can discover here true "small Tuscany", with many villages located on hill tops. Everywhere, testimonies of past heritage are present.
The Pays d’Oingt is located 40 km north from Lyon, in the “Land of golden stones”, a lovely part of Beaujolais, also named “little Beaujolais- Tuscany”.

Terminal: Chatillon d’Azergue

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

 

Social work with youth from Moulins
Moulins, Auvergne          July 16 - July 27, 2012

Volunteer project: The objective of this project has a social aspect: volunteers will work with young people from Moulins, who are now facing difficulties in finding their professional way. Volunteers' task will be to help them at their daily work, to share their experience as well as to organise leisure activities with them (games, visits...). They will also be supported by a social worker.

Language: English

Free time activities: This project will allow volunteers to meet people from all over the world and France, to get to know better the rural French lifestyle, to visit some cities nearby (e.g. Moulins and Vichy) as well as some touristic spots of this area. A van will be at volunteers' disposal during the project.

Accommodation: In a municipality building, dormitories

Location: Allier nearby Moulins-sur-Allier

Terminal: Moulins-sur-Allier

Age range: 18 and over

 

Removing intrusive vegetation to clear up a river in Les Bauges natural park
Le Chatelard en Bauges, Rhone-Alpes          July 22 - August 4, 2012

Volunteer project: The international volunteers will clean and clear the brushes near a small bridge in Le Châtelard, which is across a small river. We cannot even see the river anymore because of the intrusive vegetation, so this will be the main task in this project. Volunteers have to be motivated and hard working. The work activities take 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. The project is in a remote area in the regional park of Les Bauges.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Sport, trekking, meetings and exchanges with the local population.

Accommodation: You will be hosted in the gymnasium of the village with showers available. Mattresses will be provided but you have to bring your own sleeping bag.

Location: Le Châtelard is located in the regional natural park of Les Bauges, 35 km from Chambéry, 30 km from Annecy and Aix les Bains. This site is ideal for nature leisure activities such as trekking, nature discovering activities, etc.

Terminal: Aix les Bains

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Vocal Jazz Festival in the medieval town of Crest
Crest, Rhone-Alpes          July 22 - August 8, 2012

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.

 

Support the organisation of an international film festival in Apchat
Apchat, Auvergne          July 22 - July 31, 2012

FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: You have a passion for Cinema? Then this project is made for you! The association “Un monde meilleur” (“A better world”) will organise this summer, for the third year, an international film festival in Apchat called “ONE Country ONE Film”. 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 29th to the 31st of July. The films are short or long independent movies. Movie directors and actors will participate. For the first time this year, the association “Un monde meilleur” wants to associate international young volunteers to this 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 supervision of the volunteers of “Un monde meilleur”. 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.

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Party room in the middle of the Alps
Vaunières, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          July 23 - August 12, 2012
Vaunières, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          October 1 - October 21, 2012

Volunteer project: The village of Vaunieres welcomes volunteers from different backgrounds and different countries, brings them together in order to work on cultural, environmental or construction projects. There is a party room in Vaunières used for cultural events, but there is no heading system, therefore it can be used only during the summer.

In this project, volunteers will work on plastering walls with lime/straw plaster, and on other little internal renovation works in this building such as isolation of the walls, electricity system, shelf construction and some decorations, painting of the walls in order to make this room a cozy and pleasant place.
Vaunières hosts many groups of people in this hamlet, therefore it is ideal time to meet people from all around the world and some groups of young French people who will be visiting too, and share the daily life tasks, hike in the mountains, do some free time activities together.

Language: English

Free time activities: Located in the middle of the Alps, it’s a good place to discover the flora and fauna and the mountain life. The volunteers will also have the possibility to visit some of the tourist attractions of the area.

Accommodation: In tents for the July-August projects / In bedrooms of 5 to 6 people for the October project

Location: Vaunières is located 7 km from the village of St Julien en Beauchêne, 40km from Gap and 200 km north from Marseille.

Terminal: Lus la Croix Haute

Age range: 18 and over

 

Rebuilding a traditional village wash-house
Giroussens, Midi-Pyrenees          July 25 - August 15, 2012

Volunteer project: This will be the first time the community of Giroussens will be hosting a group of international volunteers. The volunteers will work on rebuilding a wash-house located on the edge of the village and give it its initial look. For this, the volunteers will work together to clear the vegetation around, renovate the brick wall and its three arcs that bring light into the wash-house.

Language: English

Free time activities: Along with the locals and taking into account all the possibilities in the community, the volunteers will organise their leisure activities together. Many opportunities will be open to you such as visits to the famous “Albi” cathedral, the museum of ceramics and meeting potters from the village. There is also the park “Jardin des Martels”, one of the most beautiful in the region. The surrounding areas also have an abundance of other museums like the museum of Goya in Castres, museum of Toulouse Lautrec but also the archeological site of Montans.

Accommodation: In tents.

Location: Giroussens (81500) in the Midi-Pyrénées.

Terminal: Giroussens

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration of dry stone walls in La Creche
La Crèche, Poitou-Charentes          July 27 - August 17, 2012

Volunteer project: Extremely attached to its heritage, the municipality of La Crèche is a town which has already hosted several international workcamps. Appealed by the state of mind and the dynamism of the participants, the municipality wishes to renew this positive experience. Representative of its architectural heritage, certain low walls in dry stones require renovation.

The volunteers will thus work on the restoration of low walls in dry stones (stone construction without mortar). Volunteers will be taught the ancestral methods and the traditional techniques, as well as the environmental protection measures.

Language: English

Free time activities: The municipality and its inhabitants organize regularly local events, excursions, visits and activities that the volunteers are more than welcome to take part in, to make this project a privileged moment of gatherings and intercultural exchanges.

Accommodation: In a dormitory in the community hall

Location: Deux-Sèvres, is situated about 10 km from Niort, 75 km from the coast

Terminal: St Maixent l'école

Age range: 18 and over

 

Renovation of the built heritage of Bessieres
Bessieres, Midi-Pyrenees          July 29 - August 18, 2012

Volunteer project: Following the success of the international volunteer project carried out last summer in partnership with the neighboring village of Buzet sur Tarn, the City Council wants to host an international workcamp in 2012 to help carry out the enhancement of its built heritage. The City Council has seen in this the opportunity to get some restoration work accomplished, but also to liven up the local life and open the town to intercultural exchange.

In the heart of the village, you will participate in the renovation and enhancement of a wall located on the banks of the Tarn river. Supervised by volunteers and municipal employees, you will work 5 hours per day, 5 days a week, in the morning. Other works are possible, depending on the progress of work.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Forest walks, markets, “pétanque”, tennis, hiking, visiting a turtle sanctuary, local producers, cinema, horse riding and canoeing, visit to Albi and Toulouse ...

Accommodation: Accommodation in tents. Showers and kitchen nearby. Tents and ground mattresses will be provided. Don’t forget your sleeping bag.

Location: Bessieres, a bustling town of 3120 residents, situated on the banks of the Tarn river between Albi and Toulouse, combining the charm of a protected living environment and modernity. The village, once fortified, is dominated by wooded hills, vineyards and a varied countryside: between streams and lakes, farmers cover their fields of various crops. Bessieres also has an important cultural, recreational and commercial activity.

Terminal: Bessieres

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Preservation and enhancement of a castle in Auvergne
Egliseneuve d’Entraigues, Auvergne          July 29 - August 18, 2012

Volunteer project: This year, you will continue the enhancement works that the volunteers of last year have started, on the castle’s site at Egliseneuve d’Entraigues. This involves clearing, cleaning, making the ruins nicer (clearing and stones repositioning). The goal is to make the ruins nicer in order to keep the natural and authentic aspect; it is not a rebuilding project. Also, the group will install guardrails, create a path from the Entraigues’ lake to the caste’s site and create a path 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 per day in the morning and 5 days per week, from 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. You will go to work by foot (10 minutes maximum).

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” that perfectly fits to 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: Issoire

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Improving sports facilities and organizing the village feast in Gelles
Gelles, Auvergne          July 29 - August 18, 2012

Volunteer project: Under supervision of a responsible, you will participate in the laying out of a football field and a petanque field in Gelles. This would include fencing with wire and with wood, and clearing the bushes.

You will also help with the organisation and take part in the annual village feast. Thus, bring traditional costumes and music of your own country to take part in the parade. You will be living in a festival environment with fireworks, concerts, parades, dance. You will work 5 hours a day, Monday to Friday.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Village festival in August, exchanges with the Conscrits (young people of the village who organize this festival), 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. Mattresses will be provided. There are shops in the village.

Location: Located at 850 m of altitude, the village of Gelles covers a surface of 4753 ha and gathers a population of 1000 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

 

Rehabilitation of socially disadvantaged areas in Clermont Ferrand
Clermont Ferrand, Auvergne          July 29 - August 18, 2012

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 8 to 12 and from 13 to 16.30. 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 the group Job’Agglo with representatives of 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 twelfth 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 first 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 of 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, one hundred fifty six thousand 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

 

 

Reopening of an old Roman road and organizing a local festival in Midi-Pyrenees
Antichan de Frontignes, Midi-Pyrenees          July 29 - August 19, 2012

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

 

Building a village bread oven the traditional way
Montbrun-Lauragais, Midi-Pyrenees          July 29 - August 11, 2012

Volunteer project: Supervised by professionals and volunteers of the association «Autour et au Moulin», you will participate in the construction of a traditional bread oven with earth bricks in the village of Montbrun-Lauragais. This great project demonstrates and promotes the reinstatement of old buildings in today's economy. You will work 5 hours per day, 5 days a week.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Visit to the mill of Montbrun-Lauragais, the Market on Thursday evening, library, concerts, “pétanque”, tennis, hiking, visits to small characteristic villages and the surroundings, canoeing, horseback riding and a little further, visit the Canal du Midi, Revel and the Saint-Ferréol lake...

Accommodation: You will be accommodated in a school in the village. Please, bring your own sleeping bag.

Location: Land of cereal crops and the wind “Autan”, Lauragais once had many mills, but few would have survived the ravages of time. The charming village of Montbrun-Lauragais can be proud of its authentic 17th century windmill, still standing and classified as a historical monument. Montbrun-Lauragais (562 residents) is an authentic village, retaining its architectural and environmental heritage (lake, woods, hiking trails).The network of public transport provides easy access to the city of Toulouse and its surroundings.

Terminal: Toulouse Matabiau

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Environmental work and renovation of shepherds' hamlets high in the Pyrenees
Massat, Midi-Pyrenees          July 31 - August 21, 2012

Volunteer project: Massat is a village in the heart of the Pyrénées mountains, in the middle of a wonderful landscape, surrounded by peaks and forests. The Mountains Syndicate, in charge of those natural places, would like to develop the pastoralism in this area.

The main part of the volunteer project will take place in the mountains where you will renovate several shepherds' hamlets. There will be some building work to do (rebuilding the stone roofs, preserving the stone wall) and also environmental work where you will clear the undergrowth from the surroundings of the shepherd's shelters and preserve the water springs with wooden shacks. Once a week, you will go back to the village Massat to maintain several places (public garden, paths...). This project is in a high mountain area, you will have to be respectful towards the natural environment and follow security instructions that will be given to you.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents in the mountains and in a dormitory in Massat.

Location: Massat, 35 km South of Foix

Terminal: Tarascon sur Ariège

Age range: 18 and over

 

River cleanup in Saint Auban d’Oze
St Auban d'Oze, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur    August 1 - August 21, 2012

Volunteer project: Saint Auban d’Oze is a little village located in the Buëch valley, a very rural area of the South Alps. The people in the village are anxious to protect their environment and to preserve the biodiversity as well as to improve their quality of living. They also want to improve the attractiveness of their villages for hikers.

During this project, the volunteers will clear the river banks (cut down trees, select species, remove dead woods, etc.) in order to prevent floods. This project is a good opportunity to discover rural lifestyle, meet local farmers and families. The volunteers will also take part in the organization of the annual local festival of the village St Auban d’Oze.

Language: English

Free time activities: There are many opportunities to visit the region and get the most out of your stay (swimming, trekking).

Accommodation: In tents, all facilities available

Location: Saint Auban d'Oze, 12 km from Veynes, 30 km from Gap

Terminal: Veynes Dévoluy

Age range: 18 and over

 

Renovation of a fitness trail in the forest of Vaires
Vaires, Île-de-France          August 4 - August 25, 2012

Volunteer project: Vaires-sur-Marne is a very nice community with 12 000 inhabitants at the edge of the Marne river. You can also enjoy the proximity of the forest -le Bois de Vaires- which includes a natural Reserve. The locals cherish the forest and ask the community to do something in order to renovate the fitness trail. This was the chance to organize an international workcamp and volunteers will therefore work on wooden constructions and facilities. They will dig holes, set up and fix apparatus. They will also take part in cultural activities and games, as well as meetings with the inhabitants, youth and local organizations. The volunteers will enjoy the proximity of a recreation area.

Remark: The workcamp is on no account a touristic holiday; please manage some time before/after the workcamp to visit Paris.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a gymnasium

Location: Vaires Village, 25km from Paris

Terminal: Vaires-Torcy

Age range: 18 and over

 

Learn traditional masonry and stone cutting while renovating an ancient farm in Beceleuf
Béceleuf, Poitou-Charentes          August 4 - August 25, 2012

Volunteer project: Béceleuf is a small village near to the “marais poitevin” (swamp from Poitou) which has already hosted several international volunteer projects. Rochard is an ancient farm transformed into rustic lodging by an association which hosts groups of children, walkers, campers, … In the middle of the nature, at the bank of a river, the place has a lot of charm.

The technical objective of this project will be the partial restoration of the roof of this lodging. Some traditional masonry and stone cutting will be taught by construction professionals.

Language: English

Free time activities: The animation part will be a key point of the project. Excursions in the region and group dynamics with the inhabitants will be organized: visit of the swamps, astronomy, music, traditional dances. A party is planned in the village.

Accommodation: In the village school

Location: Deux-Sèvres, 22 km from Niort and 80 from the ocean

Terminal: Niort

Age range: 18 and over

 

Renovation of an old mill in the French countryside
Clairgoutte, Franche-Comté          August 4 - August 25, 2012

Volunteer project: The project will take place around an old mill, “le Moulin du Loup” (the wolf's mill), which has a strong handicraft's history linked to the many surrounding watercourses.

One or two technical leaders will guide you through the renovation work and will introduce you to the history of the place. The first step will be to clean the site and clear the stones of moss and earth. The group will then be able to start the renovation work of the ruins. You will help to strengthen the wall's masonry which is in a very poor state. You will also be able to discover the area and the local cultural heritage. The work is quite strenuous.

Language: English

Accommodation: Dormitory in the community hall, camp beds provided.

Location: Clairegoutte located 20km from Belfort

Terminal:  Belfort

Age range: 18 and over

 

Renovation of a stone wall and raising environmental awareness in Île-de-France
La Ferté sous Jouarre, Île-de-France          August 4 - August 25, 2012

Volunteer project: The organization Vir'Volt is based at la Ferté sous Jouarre, a little town of 9000 inhabitants, on a former campsite and works on volunteering and developing local activities. The city of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre is well-known because of the extraction and manufacture of millstone that have been exported worldwide.

In this volunteer project, two types of activities will take place at the same time. In the first group, volunteers will be involved in the renovation of the surrounding millstone wall of a beautiful Park belonging to the town. They will learn and use techniques based on traditional stone-masonry. In the second group, volunteers will build a sustainable toilet block on Vir'volt's campsite in order to increase public awareness on preserving natural resources.

Volunteers will be accommodated on the campsite and will live with 12 French volunteers. In order to discover the local cultural and historical heritage, different activities will be organized. In this project, we attach great importance to sharing and meeting with the local population.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents (yurt, tipi) on the Vir'Volt camping site

Location: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 60km from Paris.

Terminal: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre

Age range: 15 - 17 years old

Extra fee: 150 Euro

 

Family project: Restoration of Clausonne Abbey
Saix, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          August 5 - August 11, 2012
Saix, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          August 12 - August 18, 2012
Saix, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur          August 19 - August 24, 2012

Volunteer project: Clausonne Abbey was built in the 12th century, a few kilometres away from the actual village of le Saix, in the South Alps of France. It is located 1100m above sea level in a very preserved and quiet environment. Throughout the centuries, the Abbey was burnt, destroyed and rebuilt several times. At the beginning of the 20th century, it had become the local parish. Some years later, the main part was finally transformed into a primary school. For several years the local association "The Friends of the Abbey of Clausonne" hosts summer workcamps to rehabilitate the ruins.

This project is open to families. A volunteer workcamp is a unique way to share with your children a strong moment of discovery and learning together! We propose to you, one week of family volunteer experience in the South Alps. In the morning you’ll learn about various re-construction techniques. In the afternoon, you’ll discover the magnificent environment: swimming, hiking, cultural visits, or you’ll simply take advantage of the tranquility of the place and take time to enjoy.

Families can apply for one, two or three weeks workcamp. One or both parents with kids of any age can apply for this project. The kids under 8 years old will spend time with volunteers by doing different artistic, creative workshops, leisure activities while parents are going to participate in the renovation work. Older kids will be able to join the parents on the work site.

Language: English

Accommodation: Family bedroom, at the Faï international centre

Location: 30 km from Gap, 200 km from Marseille

Terminal: Veynes Devoluy

Extra fee: 80 Euro/ week/ adult; 40 Euro/week/kid

 

Improving hiking paths in Auvergne
Autrac, Auvergne          August 5 - August 18, 2012

Volunteer project: Volunteers are invited to take part in the development of the hiking pathways in the region of Autrac. The tracks are located on a course that leads tourists and hikers to discover the heritage treasures of the village. Your task will be to restore a watering place and to renovate the pathways. You will also help restore the door of the church Saint Julien which is from the 12th century and is a historic building. The work activities will be supervised by a municipal employee and the village council.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Hiking, visits, Blesle festival during the August 11th-12th weekend.

Accommodation: You will be living in a room above the municipal building, near the work place. Mattresses will be provided. Please, bring your own sleeping bag.

Location: Autrac is a municipality of 76 inhabitants. It is located at the junction of the three departments: Cantal, Puy-de-Dôme and Haute Loire. Its geographic location allows a diversified natural heritage. As a rural village, Autrac also has an important architectural heritage: some of its buildings are considered to be historical monuments (Château de Montmoirat which exists since the 17th century), others are into the general heritage sites list (wash houses, farms…). Autrac is 80 km from Clermont Ferrand and 45 km away from Issoire.

Terminal: Issoire

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Preserving the environment of the Tartaret Volcano
Murol, Auvergne          August 5 - August 25, 2012

Volunteer project: The international volunteer group will be involved in the enhancement of the Tartaret Massif: clearing, laying out. 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 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 campsite of Murol. Sanitary facilities in the campsite. Mattresses will be provided. Murol is 860 metres above sea level; please bring a warm sleeping bag. There are shops in the village. You will go to the work site by car.

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

 

Support for mentally disabled people in Ariege
Foix, Midi-Pyrenees          August 5 - August 25, 2012

Volunteer project: The Association Espoir Ariège has set a goal to create and manage sites promoting listening, exchange of knowledge and social and vocational integration of persons with mental disabilities. It has also set a goal to spread information and awareness on mental disability issues, participating together in civic actions. So it has decided to host a second international volunteer project this year to increase exchanges between the beneficiaries, volunteers of the association and international volunteers, through activities and group work.

The association Espoir Ariège has a home in Foix, hosting a Medico-Social Support Service for Disabled Adults. You will participate in various development works in the garden and common areas (setting access for the disabled, painting, woodworking) as well as animation and activities of the association. Many exchanges with volunteers and recipients of the services of the association are expected.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Many activities are available on site: visiting the town of Foix and its surroundings, local markets, hiking, swimming, sports, museum, cinema, castles, abbeys.

Location: Town of 10,000 inhabitants, located in Haute-Ariège at the foot of the Pyrenees, Foix is crossed by the beautiful river Ariège forming here a very nice valley. The medieval castle of Foix overlooks the city. Some streets have kept their medieval authenticity.

Terminal: Foix

Age range: 20 - 30 years old

 

Castle renovation project in Ariege
Varilhes, Midi-Pyrenees          August 5 - August 25, 2012

Volunteer project: Supervised by a professional, you will participate in the renovation of an exterior wall of the castle "Chateu de Fiches". You will remove roughcast and re-plaster the wall over its entire height (about 6 meters high). The site is a historical monument. Experience in masonry with lime would be welcome but is not essential if you are motivated to learn these techniques and you like manual work. 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 salon painted 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

 

Wall restoration by traditional methods in Chateau des Prureaux
Montcombroux-les-Mines, Auvergne          August 7 - August 23, 2012

Volunteer project: The association “Le Créneau” is situated in a little castle in the heart of a large property in the region of Auvergne. It hosts throughout the year persons of different cultural and social backgrounds, who come to work voluntarily. Their aim is to experience a different way of living.

Volunteers will participate in the maintenance of the place, by renovating the walls of the buildings on the property by the traditional masonry methods. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to make bricks, and then small walls with natural materials (water, straw and clay).

Language: English

Free time activities: This project will allow volunteers to meet people from all over the world and France, to get to know better the rural way of living, to visit some cities around (e.g. Moulins and Vichy) as well as some touristic spots of this area.

Accommodation: In tents in the garden of the castle

Location: Montcombroux-les-Mines (Allier), 45 km from Vichy

Terminal: St Germain-des-Fossés

Age range: 15 - 17 years old

Extra fee: 150 Euro

 

Volunteering in an Emmaus community
Etoile, Rhone-Alpes          August 12 - September 1, 2012

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. A motivation letter is required, to ensure that the volunteers understand the project and explain why they want to participate.

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

 

Learn traditional masonry techniques and create a ski trail in an authentic alpine village
Villard Reculas, Rhone-Alpes          August 12 - September 1, 2012

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. There will be two main tasks: 1) To finish the restoration of the graveyard wall started last year. This will mainly involve masonry work, which will be done according to traditional methods. 2) Cleaning the brushes, cutting plants, etc. in the forest in order to re-open a former skiing track. The volunteer group will work 5 days a week, 4 to 5h a day (in the morning).

Language: English

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 et the Romanche. This authentic village offers exceptional scenery of the high peaks of Oisans.

Terminal: Grenoble

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Renovation of a historic Benedictine Abbey
Vielmur sur Agout, Midi-Pyrenees          August 12 - September 1, 2012

Volunteer project: Guided by a professional, specialist of ancient techniques, the volunteers will participate in the renovation of the entrance wall of the former Benedictine Abbey "Notre-Dame de la Sagne" historical monument site. Experience in masonry with lime would be welcome but is not essential if you are motivated to learn these techniques and you like manual work. Note: You need to work on scaffolding.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Many activities are available on site: swimming, hiking, bowling, visiting towns and villages, horseback riding, canoeing, water parks and amusement ....

Accommodation: You will stay in tents at the village clubhouse. Tents and sleeping pads will be provided. Bring your sleeping bag.

Location: The town of Vielmur on Agout (1345 residents) is located in a privileged environment, along the river «Agout», itself topped by gentle hills. Its strategic location makes it an attractive town: 12 km northwest of Castres (the largest city in the vicinity), 41 km from Albi (World Heritage Site by UNESCO) and 52 km from Toulouse.

Terminal: Vielmur-sur-Agout

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Rehabilitation of a rural heritage site in Auvergne
Chaspinhac, Auvergne          August 12 - September 1, 2012

Volunteer project: This year, you will start the rehabilitation works of the Saint-Quentin site in Chaspinhac. The tasks include clearing, cleaning, stones selection, installation of guardrails to secure the site. The international volunteer team will work with the people of a work insertion association called Meygalit. The people you will work with have difficulties to get a job. The Meygalit association works in order to re-integrate them in the working system. You will be under the supervision of a professional of the Meygalit association. 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 crosses the Saint-Quentin site and 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, the buildings are becoming ruins.

Terminal: Le Puy-en-Velay

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Biodiversity Festival in Lorraine
Gerardmer, Lorraine          August 13 - August 19, 2012

Volunteer project: The Biodiversity Festival sensitizes the participants to the environmental challenges that we face. Sustainable management, biodiversity preservation, conservation of forest are indispensable for the current and the next generations. This festival is also a festive time to change our view on the living world, discover the incredible interactions in it, and the battle for positive biodiversity preservation! Each year, organizers, volunteers and scientific personalities collaborate actively to make this meeting rhyme with good mood, curiosity, questioning, involvement, civic participation and critical mind.

This year’s edition of the touring festival of scientific and technical culture will take place in the city of Gérardmer in the region of Lorraine. The United Nations organization defined 2012 as the International year of sustainable energy for all. The Biodiversity festival will focus on this topic which is a main concern for all citizens. The festival will be supported by many national organisations and institutions. The
2012 edition will take place from 17 to 19th of August 2012.

The festival will consist of:
- A scientific program with famous researchers and scientists.
- A cultural program with many local music bands, and street art shows.
- An activities program with exhibitions, hiking, workshops, meetings with many local partners acting for biodiversity.
Additionally, the Friday 17th, will be as every year dedicated to the youth and scientific clubs. A specific program will be elaborated for them.

Monday through Thursday, the volunteers will assist in the installation of the festival: installation and creation of sets of the site (around the lake), preparation of events of the weekend with employees of the association ... From Friday until Sunday, the festival will take place and the volunteers will help with the organization and smooth running of the festival. From Sunday evening, they can start helping employees to store everything in place for the weekend. Six international volunteers are needed for this project. The volunteers must be versatile and be able to work independently while being, of course, accompanied by an employee of the local association.

Language: English or French

Accommodation: In a camp located 10 minutes walk from the site where the festival takes place (around Lake Gerardmer). You need to bring a sleeping bag and a tent if possible; if not, the association may lend tents.  The campsite is located close to the forest, walks can be arranged during break time.

Location: Gerardmer is a town in the department of Vosges, in Lorraine region. It is located in the highlands (800 m above sea level).

Terminal: Strasbourg Airport, Epinal train station

Age range: 18 - 35 years old

 

Couvre Feu music festival
Corsept, Pays-de-Loire          August 16 - August 31, 2012

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 organizing team is a local association that wants to diversify and develop the culture in rural areas. The 11th edition of the festival will take place on August 24, 25 and 26, 2012.

Led by the set directors of the association organising the festival, you will participate in setting up and setting down the festival. This includes the installation of circus tents (where concerts take place), closing the site with barriers, arrangement of 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!
Tentative schedule: Barbecue with the team of organisers on Thursday. Friday-Saturday-Sunday: preparation of the festival with the local team. Sunday evening: dinner with the technicians of the festival. From Monday onwards: work on the site of the festival, cooking, ticketing, bar, hosting of artists, etc.

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

 

Environmental protection work in the valley of Chapiat
Die, Rhone-Alpes          August 19 - September 1, 2012

Volunteer project: The participants in this project will clean and clear the brushes on a small brook (very small river) which is running across the valley of Chapiat. The brook is almost entirely hidden by the vegetation which does not allow a good water circulation. Moreover, you can take part in the building and construction of sustainable equipment such as dry toilets. You may also be asked to help maintaining a path leading to the camp site, or do some cleaning on site.
Note: This workcamp is for people who love to live in the nature in very simple conditions and are not afraid of dogs!

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 do circus activities, to hike in the forest, and if the weather is nice, you can sunbathe at 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. Hushers are also living in the camp.

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

 

Promoting positive attitudes and raising awareness of disability issues
Avermes, Auvergne          August 19 - September 3, 2012

FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT
Volunteer project: The association Les Handi-Gène 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 Les Handi-Gène 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). Five international volunteers will work on these activities together with local volunteers of the association. Your schedule will be the same as the one of the Handi-Gène’s 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.

Language: English and French

Possible free time activities: During your leisure time, some activities will be organised with the Handi-Gene association.

Accommodation: You will be accommodated under tents on a farm located in the village of Saint-Ennemond, 16 km away from Avermes - the town where Handi-Gene is based. Bring your sleeping bag. Transportation will be organised every day to drive you to Avermes. You will take your meals with the Handi-Gène’s volunteers.

Location: The association is located in Avermes in the Allier departement, 5 km away from Moulins. Saint-Ennemeond is 16 km away from Avermes.

Terminal: Moulins

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Creating a public garden in the ancient town of Billom
Billom, Auvergne          August 19 - September 8, 2012

Volunteer project: This year, you will lay out a small public garden in the town center of Billom. Following directions and instructions that will be given by a professional architect, you will draw up a project to lay out this square during the first week; you will be divided in small groups and you'll have to be creative. Then, during the next two weeks, you will lay out the square according to the chosen project. You will be under the supervision of a professional. Work hours are 5 hours in the morning, 5 days a week.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Participation in a medieval festival organized by the association Billom Renaissance, meeting with the local associations, visit of the medieval city with Billom Renaissance, 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

 

Restoration of a stone wall on the Tour de France route
L’Alpe D’Huez, Rhone-Alpes          August 19 - September 8, 2012

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.

Guided by technical employees, the volunteers will restore the wall of the graveyard. This may sound weird, but 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.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Out of winter season, the village has also many things to offer: hiking, climbing, summer sledge, Pic Blanc at 3330 m, visits to nearby villages, to the church, museums... The region is great for hiking.

Accommodation: You will be hosted in some village flats. Mattresses will be provided, but you have to bring your own sleeping bag. You will be at an altitude of 2000 m.

Location: L’Alpe d’Huez is part of one of the biggest skiing complexes of Europe: "L’Alpe D’Huez Grand domaine ski", with more than 100 slopes, the oldest teleski in Europe, and the longest black slope in the world. Thus, this is a ski station of the Alps, in the departement of Isere, 60 km away from Grenoble. It is part of the Bauges Massif, above the Oisans.

Terminal: Grenoble

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Enhancing the natural environment in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Montmaur, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur      August 20 - September 9, 2012

Volunteer project: The village of Montmaur is located in the Buëch valley and is surrounded by high mountains. The people in the village are eager to preserve and improve the attractiveness of their environment.

The project aims at clearing one of the rivers running through the village and the path going along the little dike. Supported by professionals from the local river management agency, the volunteers' work will consist on cutting down the trees, selecting species and removing dead branches.

Language: English

Free time activities: This project is a good opportunity to discover the rural lifestyle, to visit Montmaur castle, to visit the region and take part in local cultural events. There are also many opportunities to organize hikes and treks in the mountains around.

Accommodation: In tents, all the facilities available

Location: Montmaur, 6 km from Veynes, 20 km from Gap

Terminal: Veynes

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration of a water mill and a dry stone wall in Annepont
Annepont, Poitou-Charentes          August 20 - September 10, 2012

Volunteer project: Annepont is a small rural town in the heart of the Charente-Maritime, which wishes to hold for the first time an international volunteer project. This village wishes to bring an intercultural dimension to the local level. The youth policy of this territory is very developed.

The volunteers will first help in the restoration of the wall of a water mill: taking off the plaster of the walls, cleaning of stones then rejointing in the mortar of lime as well as on the development of the surroundings of the mill.
Then, they will also work on the restoration of a dry stone low wall (construction without mortar) around the church of the village. The volunteers will be accompanied by a technical leader on the construction sites.

Language: English

Free time activities: The volunteers can take advantage of the cultural activities of the region, excursions will be organized (visits, cities, the coast), as well as moments of intercultural exchanges with the inhabitants.

Accommodation: Dormitory in a municipal hall

Location: Charente Maritime, 15 km from Saintes, 65 km from the coast

Terminal: Saintes

Age range: 18 and over

 

Help running a vacation program for handicapped people
Saint-Maurice-en-Trieves, Rhone-Alpes    August 31 - September 20, 2012

Volunteer project: The organization "The friends of Vaulserre and Trièves" manages the centre "Ermitage Jean Reboul". This centre welcomes every year 6 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. High commitment is required.
Work hours are going to be from 8 am to after dinner. One day off during the week so that you can rest or, together with the other international volunteers, visit some local attractions.
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 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! You are expected to be motivated, open minded and patient. Basic French is welcome to facilitate contact, but is not a requirement for participation.

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 Ermitage 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

 

Protecting the heritage of St Michel
St Michel de Chabrillanoux, Rhone-Alpes        September 2 - September 15, 2012

Volunteer project: St Michel de Chabrillanoux is a little village, with 300 inhabitants. It is rural but very active! St Michel organizes every year a big music festival with more than 2000 volunteers! The village had welcomed an international workcamp, but more than 20 years ago. The new team wants a new workcamp to help them in protecting the heritage of the village, and especially the little bridges that give access to St Michel.

Guided by a villiger (member of the local council), you will do some work on a bridge: you will have to remove the vegetation, to destroy some parts of the small wall of the bridge, to rebuild it, to remove the joints and make some new ones... You may also have to do some cleaning work around the bridge: removing vegetation, clearing the brushes, etc. You will work 4 to 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, in the morning.
The site is remote; this project is for volunteers who love to live in natural
environnement, and who want to meet French people and to spend convivial moments together.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Swimming pool at the camping, meetings, shared evenings and meals with the inhabitants, trekking, discovering the region, walking around... If lucky, you may visits farms, and you may go horseback riding...

Accommodation: You will be hosted at the local camping. Dorm style under bungalows/tents (bring you sleeping bag). You can enjoy the swimming pool, the "boules" field, etc

Location: St Michel is located 550m above sea level, on the hills of the Eyrieux valley, 40 km away from Valence, and 25 km away from Privas. It is part of "the heart of Ardèche".

Terminal: Valence

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

Preserving the unique environmental qualities of the Leucate Pond
Leucate, Languedoc-Roussillon          September 3 - September 29, 2012

Volunteer project: The Leucate Pond is a pond situated at the border to the Mediterranean sea in the south of France. It has two sources of fresh water but at the same time it is also connected to the sea by two channels. This sea-pond is maintained by different organisations such as the syndicate Rivage which works for the protection of this particular natural spot.

The volunteers' activities in this project will consist in removing invasive plants that threaten the balance of the pond's biotope: “the witch's claw”.
Different visits and information meetings with local environmental structure officials will be organized for the participants in order to discover the area and its challenges, and raise awareness on this exceptional environment and the protection needs.

Language: English

Accommodation: In tents on a camping site, all the facilities provided

Location: Leucate village at the sea side, 40 km from Perpignan and Narbonne

Terminal: Leucate-La Franqui

Age range: 18 and over

 

Strengthening the ramparts of the Castle of Montendre
Montendre, Poitou-Charentes          September 4 - September 25, 2012

Volunteer project: The town of Montendre hosts every year international volunteer workcamps. This municipality with a population of 3000 has a plan for the development of its castle and other local heritage. The will of the municipality is to set up a tour around the castle for visitors.

This year, the volunteers will work on the ramparts of the castle. This will involve traditional masonry works: taking off the joints from the wall, digging the joints, then re-pointing with mortar of lime in the ramparts.
You will also participate in and lead activities in the national Heritage Days (opening of all the heritage buildings of France).

Language: English

Free time activities: The free time activities will aim at exchange between the volunteers and the local people, youth and the associations of Montendre by proposing intercultural animations in various places (schools, castle, associations, …). Visits will be also planned: cities, museum, region, cellars, etc.

Accommodation: Dormitory in the hosting center "La Maison des Bateleurs"

Location: Montendre, 75km from the ocean, between Bordeaux and Angoulême

Terminal: Montendre

Age range: 18 and over

 

Organizing an eco festival and garden upkeep in Septfonds
Septfonds, Midi-Pyrenees          September 6 - September 26, 2012

Volunteer project: The village of Septfonds is inviting you for this project, to organize the Ecofestibal. During the first part of the project, you will create and install the decoration for the festival, you will also help for the general installation.
The second part of the project will take place at the garden of Notre Dame. There will be several upkeep works around the garden. First, you will repair the gates of the garden and renovate the fountain. Then, you will create the evacuation for this fountain by building a stone “river” and a sump. In this task, you will be guided by members of a local association.

Language: English

Free time activities: During your free time, you will have the opportunity to visit the wonderful villages around, to go to the St Antonin Noble Val market, to go canoeing in the Aveyron's Gorges and to have a good time with the local population.

Accommodation: In tents

Location: Septfonds, 90 km north of Toulouse and 5 km from Caussade

Terminal: Caussade

Age range: 18 and over

 

Promotion and renovation of mountain paths
Serres, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur   September 10 - September 30, 2012

Volunteer project: The 'Syndicate for Hiking Activities' is in charge of the promotion and renovation of the paths (mountain bike, horse riding and trekking paths) in the Buëch - a region of mountains located in the South Alps of France. This will be the third international volunteer project in partnership with this organization.

The work will mainly consist of cutting the vegetation along the paths, painting signs to mark out the walks and doing some masonry work on difficult junctures of the path in order to make the walk safer. This project will take place in two different areas. It is a “traveling project” which means that the group will move at least once during the project. Volunteers will work most of the time in the mountains and there will be plenty of time to discover beautiful views and explore wild nature. The work itself is accessible to anybody but beware that walks in the mountains will be necessary everyday to get to the work site.

Language: English

Free time activities: The volunteers can organize sports activities, international meals with the local people and go on trips during weekends.

Accommodation: In tents

Location: Serres, 30 km from Sisteron, 20 km from Veynes

Terminal: Serres

Age range: 18 and over

 

Restoration of Fort Liedot and organizing Heritage Days on the Island of Aix
Ile d'Aix, Poitou-Charentes          September 10 - October 1, 2012

Volunteer project: The Ile d'Aix is a small island of the Atlantic Ocean, having already hosted several international volunteer projects. Marked by an eventful maritime past, this island is home to several places of historical significance, in particular the Fort Liédot. Only a small part of Fort Liédot is at present visited. This year, the touristic tour of Fort Liédot will be enlarged and developed with the help of the volunteers. The project also aims to raise awareness among local people and tourists in the region about the World Heritage.

The works consist in restoring a gunboat on the heights of Fort Liédot: demolition of the collapsed wall, sorting and recalibration of stones and reconstruction of the wall. These works of masonry and stone cutting will be made according to traditional methods.
The volunteers will organize intercultural activities with local school children. They will be able to practice various activities, such as fishing and sailing with local clubs. Visits of the region are planned: cities, museum,… The volunteers will also help the local associations to organize Heritage Days (opening of all the heritage buildings of France) as well as an event for the fortieth anniversary of the World Heritage Convention.

Language: English

Accommodation: In the Fort Liédot

Location: Charente-Maritime, 20km from Rochefort sur mer by boat

Terminal: Rochefort

Age range: 18 and over

 

Support the work of an educational farm in the south of France
Paulinet, Midi-Pyrenees          September 16 - September 29, 2012

Volunteer project: The educational farm is located in a very small hamlet, in the region of Tarn, in the south of France (relatively far from the city). During all the year, the educational farm organizes school and holiday camps for children and teenagers. They learn about the farm life by discovering animals and the rural space. The educational farm decided to welcome a second international workcamp this year to help them in different projects. The farm also wants to diversify its public by becoming open to young international people.

Supervised by the team of the educational farm, you will participate in the construction of a timber shack, of earth and wood, according to a traditional technique. You can also participate in various other tasks for the educational farm, according to your abilities.

Language: English

Possible free time activities: Hiking is possible in the area and you will also have access to the swimming pool of the farm. Visits to other farms are possible where you will discover local products. The farm is located in a remote area and the nearest town has only 1,000 inhabitants. Be ready to not spend your time in a city even if an excursion to Albi would be organized by the group leader.

Accommodation: You will be hosted in the farm’s camping, in a Canadian hut and you don’t need to bring mats.

Location: Paulinet, a commune in the Tarn department in southern France.

Age range: 18 - 30 years old

 

 

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