SAUVETERRE DE ROUERGUE          Midi-Pyrenees          July 17 - July 30, 2005

Restoration of an old water mill
Volunteer project: The village Sauveterre de Rouergue hosts this summer its second international workcamp, with the intention the make the village surroundings more attractive to people. Through this workcamp, the municipality also wishes to give to the village a revival especially during the summer.
In collaboration with a municipal employee, you will continue the restoration of an old water mill located near a river. Work may be physically difficult. It is an isolated location.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities:
- On the spot: municipal swimming pool, cinemas, night markets, village feasts.
- In the region: many footpaths, medieval castles, typical villages (Najac, Cordes, Albi).
Accommodation: In a dormitory, in the village centre.
Location: Nearest cities are Rodez (30 km) and Villefranche de Rouhergues.
Nearest train station: Naucelle
Age range: 18 - 30 years old

   BRAMEVAQUE          Midi-Pyrenees          July 17 - August 6, 2005

Restoring the vestiges of a castle from the XII c.
Volunteer project: The municipality of Bramevaque and the community of municipalities of Barousse were mobilized to emphasize and to partly restore the vestiges of the castle which attracts many visitors. For several years, the village of Bramevaque has thus hosted international workcamps, which allowed to combine this project together with the wish to bring an original animation in the village.
With a professional staff, you will continue the preservation of the ruins of the castle which includes masonry and building of low stone walls. You will also participate in a living show as figurants. The workcamp will take place in an isolated location, living conditions are very simple. This is a workcamp for nature lovers.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities: Visit of Saint Bertrand de Comminges, excursion, horsemanship, bathing in the river, excursion to Toulouse, barbecue.
Accommodation: Under tents, near the castle.
Location: Bramevaque is located at about 15 km from the town of Montréjeau, 25 km south of the town of St Gaudens, and near the prestigious site of Saint-Bertrand de Comminges, in a wild and preserved valley of Hautes-Pyrenees: La Barousse. It is a charming little village that owns the castle of the Comminges earls (12th century). Nature and mountain lovers will surely appreciate this exceptional site and its natural environment. The nearest towns are Montrejeau and Toulouse.
Nearest train station: Montrejeau
Age range: 18 - 30 years old

   LA VILLEDIEU DU TEMPLE (EMMAUS) 1          Midi-Pyrenees          July 17 - August 6, 2005

Volunteering in an Emmaus community
Volunteer project: Emmaus is a community that welcomes marginalized and homeless people. 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 trough 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 for reinsertion and reconstruction of self esteem; sharing is the third pillar of life in the community.
The Emmaus France movement, an organization created in 1949, gathers nowadays 113 communities in France.
The volunteers will share the life and activities of the Emmaus community of La Villedieu, where about 30 companions are living. Volunteering in an Emmaus community is a unique opportunity to discover another way of living and working, and to experience a community lifestyle based on solidarity. The activity and life of the community is organized around the collecting, fixing and selling of second-hand articles in the community shops. The volunteers will be associated to the daily tasks carried out all year round by the companions. The activities include: the collection of second hand articles from donators' houses located in the region, the sorting out of the various items given (which can range from pieces of furniture to electrical appliances or clothes), the reparation of some damaged items in the technical workshops (woodwork, electricity, etc.) and the recycling of others, the selling to the public of the items recuperated in the community's second-hand shops. The products of the sales finance the life of the community as well as actions of solidarity in France and abroad.
Most of the people who live in the community have had very tough lives and harsh experiences. Welcoming volunteers is a way of opening new horizons for the community and dynamising it. Therefore being a volunteer there during the summer is about bringing enthusiasm, joy and warmth to the people living in the community and fostering intercultural exchanges.
Work is very important in the community and shared among all. Respecting the working hours and giving the best of oneself is fundamental. The consumption of alcohol is forbidden as a mark of respect and solidarity towards the companions who struggle against alcohol addiction problems.
Camp language: French and English
Accommodation: Lodging under a large tent. Kitchen and sanitary facilities nearby.
Location: The community is located in Southern France, in the rural town of La Ville Dieu du Temple, 10 km west from Montauban, a historical city on the edge of the Canal du Midi, which belongs to the Human World Heritage of UNESCO. Montauban is 45 km away from Toulouse, the lively "pink city".
Nearest train station: Montauban
Age range: 20 - 30 years old

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   TRETS 4          Bouches du Rhone          July 20 - August 6, 2005

Development of an organic farm in Provence
Volunteer project: The association "La ferme de Noé" has purchased in 2003 a property of 4 hectares in the village of Trets en Provence, to make an open farm with organic market gardening, an educational farm for children and suffering people and a restaurant. The association counts 50 members, principally young people who participate in the development of the farm.
The volunteers will participate in agricultural work, planting and harvesting; maintenance of the buildings, installation of folds for animals in the pinewood in front of the house, restoration of the access path to the farm and vegetables plantation. As the farm also runs as a biological farm hosting visitors, you may (if you wish) participate in the preparation of meals for the visitors. NB: There is no campleader; volunteers will work under the supervision of the active members of the association. The group is composed of 4 volunteers.
Special requirements: Volunteers should be interested in contributing to the development of the project; to work at different tasks according to the needs; be ready to share one room with other volunteers, respect the rules of home stay and common "family type" living.
Possible free time activities:
- Discovering Marseille; Aix en Provence and the surrounding villages.
- Exchange with the associations working with La Ferme de Noe.
- Horse riding at the farm La Manade, a partner of la Ferme de Noe.
Accommodation: In the main house, one room for the group of international volunteers. All facilities are available. Active members of the association live in the house (4 persons permanently). Shared meals for lunch; volunteers will organize and take diner on their own. NB: No Internet access in the house and no TV. There is a library in Trets, where books can be lent, with Internet access (the farm is 4 km from the village centre). Bring some games for the evenings.
Location: In the Southern part of France. Located a few kilometers from the center of the village of Tret en Provence, the farm is in the middle of the vines, in front of Sainte Victoire (a preserved mountain). Nearest towns are Marseille (40 km) and Aix en Provence (25 km).
Nearest train station: Marseille St Charles
Age range: 20 - 30 years old

Trets     is a lively little town of nearly 10,000 inhabitants that has preserved the charm and traditions of a Provencal village. It lies between the Sainte-Victoire and Aurelians mountains, near Aix en Provence, and not far from Aubagne and Marseille.
A mediaeval village. Behind the ramparts which still surround the heart of the town there are many reminders of the past, such as the castle, the church and the old synagogue.
A busy modern town. With a swimming pool, a BMX trail, a go-cart track, river fishing, a golf course (5 km away), a media library, a multimedia centre, exhibition halls, auditoriums and a cinema, Trets is a gold mine of cultural and sports activities.
Festivals, fairs and markets. On Wednesday mornings the town's Provencal market fills the town with life. Life in Trets follows the rhythm of festivals: the Spring Fair, May Day, St Jeans Day, St Eloi's Day and St Barthelemy's Fair.

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   CREST JAZZ VOCAL          Rhone Alpes          July 24 - August 13, 2005

Vocal Jazz Festival in the medieval town of Crest
Volunteer project: Each year, the Crest Jazz Vocal Festival is the strongest moment of the summer period. The material preparation of this manifestation of scale needs a lot of time and of people available. For 10 years or so, motivated volunteers have helped with its organization.
Guided by volunteers of the association which organizes the Festival and by people in charge of the engineering department, you will participate in the installation of the stages and platforms, in the support of the Festival promotion (posters; distribution of leaflets in the region), in the cleaning after each performance, and in the dismounting and the arrangement of the whole material of the Festival. NB: these are tasks which are repetitive, but essential; organizers of the festival rely on your motivation to help them before, during, but also after the festival; hours of the work will be very variable according to the needs; little time for leisures or the group life.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities:
- Visit of the Tower of Crest; visit of the towns of Valence, Montelimar (museum of the miniature and manufacture of nougat) or Die (old town and cooperative cellar); night markets;
- Canoe on river Drome;
- Visit of a magnanery at Sailans, of an oil mill at Aouste;
- Free concerts within the jazz festival;
- Hikes: 3 Becs, Piegros la Clastre, discover of the Vercors;
- Swimming pool;
- Meeting with other workcamps.
Accommodation: In the sport hall
Location: Located in the Drome 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 an inheritance of quality, dominated by its medieval tower (52 m height). Very animated in summer period, the town offers many activities both sporting and cultural. Nearest towns are Montelimar (40 km) and Valence (30 km).
Nearest train station: Valence Ville
Nearest airport: Lyon
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
 

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 programme: 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.