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VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
IN FRANCE |
 ST NAZAIRE EN ROYANS
Rhone Alpes
August 7 - August 27, 2005
Various
enhancement works in an old medieval village
Volunteer project: The village of St Nazaire en Royans is located between
the towns of Grenoble and Valence, near moutains and valleys. Its
acqueduct built in 1876, crossing over river Bourne, is impressive. The
municiality hosted its first workcamp in 2004. The success of the
experience as well as the achievement of the work contributed for the
creation of quality relationships which encouraged the town to propose a
new workcamp which will help in the improvement of the living
environment of the local inhabitants.
Guided by a local employee, you will participate in several kinds of
works: painting of barriers of a bridge; clearing and cleaning of a
place above a car park, clearing and cleaning of a park to be restored
and refitted in the village. In the event of bad weather, painting works
can be done in a school.
Camp language:
French and English
Possible free time activities:
 -
Sports activities such as mountain bike, excursions or swimming,
- Visit sites like Pont in Royans, la Voulte en Vercors, the Forest of Lente,
the road of Combe-Laval or the Grands Goulets,
- Visits of the caves of Choranche or Thais,
- Excursion in a paddle boat on Bourne river and visit to the aqueduct,
- Excursion in Romans, excursions in Vercors: pedestrian excursions and visit of
the Museum of Resistance,
- Meeting with other workcamps.
Accommodation: In a school. Showers are in the local camping, at
300 m.
Location: Located between the towns of Valence and Grenoble, at the
entrance of the Vercors mountains, St Nazaire en Royans (500
inhabitants) is at the crossing of the wooded hills of the Prealpes and
of the rich valleys of Drome. The village, formerly fortified, has many
narrow lanes and old medieval buildings, and we appreciate to stroll
there. But St Nazaire is above all famous for its aqueduct spanning
river Bourne with its red rocks. Towns nearby: Romans (20 km), Valence
(30 km).
Nearest train station: Valence-Ville
Nearest airport: Grenoble
Age range: 18 - 30
years old
MEAULNE
Auvergne August 7 - August
27, 2005
Restoration of a
wall
Volunteer project: The municipality of
Meaulne receives for the fourth time an international workcamp. Within the
context of the operation "Revitalisons le coeur de notre village", the
town wishes to lay out the place of the fountain, where there is a
former washing-place. In 2002 and in 2003, this washing-place has been
cleaned up. The broken parts have been restored.
This year's project concerns the restoration of a wall, including removing of
plaster. You will work with a specialist (masonry foreman). Work is
physically demanding. Volunteers will go to the work site by bicycle.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities:
-
Excursions, horse riding, hiking, biking in the
forest of Tronçais,
- Learning about the natural
environment of the forest (oak, beech, mushrooms, fauna and flora), hear the legends (sorcery),
- Walk in Vallon en Sully, visit of the workshops of
local craftsmen,
- Visit of the Alain Fournier Museum (Le grand Meaulne) at
Epineuil Le Fleuriel,
- Visit of Montluçon.
Accommodation: Under tents, near the changing rooms of the football
grounds; kitchen nearby.
Location: Located in Allier, at 300 km south of Paris, between Bourges and
Clermont-Ferrand, the town of Meaulne, is surrounded by landscape of
field, at the north-west of the forest de Tronçais. This forest is part of one
of the most important oak tree forests in Europe (the trees were planted by
Colbert to build the boats of the royal navy) and it is also a forest where many
people were living, coalmen, blacksmiths, etc. The municipality of Meaulne is
famous thanks to the writer Alain Fournier who placed the history of his book «
Le Grand Meaulne » near «Aumance » in the village of Epineuil, not far from
Meaulne. Nearest cities are St Amand Montronc (18 km),
Montluçon (30 km) and Bourges (50 km).
Nearest train station: Vallon en Sully
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
LA VILLEDIEU DU TEMPLE
(EMMAUS) 2
Midi-Pyrenees
August 7 - August 27, 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
TRETS 5
Bouches du Rhone
August 10 - August 27, 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
NEYRON
Rhone Alpes August
14 - September 3, 2005
Enhancement of the Fort of Sermenaz
Volunteer project: Amongst its places of interests, Neyron counts the
Fort of Sermenaz, former military fort built in 1887, which dominates
the town, from the top of the Mont Goitron. For a long time neglected,
the Fort and the ground around (80,000 sq.m) were acquired by Neyron in
1995/96, in order to turn them into a pole of cultural and leisure
activities.
Guided by a local employee, you will participate in the enhancement of
the Fort site by cleaning and clearing in order to facilitate the access
to it. You may also help the municipal technical services to move to new
premises, if required.
Accommodation: In the changing rooms of the football ground.
Location: Located in the Ain department, at 15 km north-east of
Lyon, the small town of Neyron is a former village of vine growers and
marines. Bridge between the plateau and the Rhone valley, it enjoys a
privileged location, being both at the entrance of La Dombes (natural
environment of value, which supports a top quality of life) and close to
the city of Lyon which makes it a dynamic agglomeration with many
associations and modern equipment.
Nearest train station: Lyon
Nearest airport: Lyon
Age range: 18 - 30
years old
SIAUGUES STE MARIE
August 14 - September 3, 2005
Various
restoration and enhancement projects
Volunteer project: Volunteers will carry out different
restoration and enhancement projects in the community such as
restoration of the frontage of a lime kiln; creation of footpaths
leading to crosses, clearing and enhancing of the crosses.
Camp language: French and English
Accommodation: Lodging is isolated (no shops on the spot), 8 km from
the village. You will need to walk for the footpaths work. This is a
project for those who love nature.
Location: 25 km west of the town of Le Puy en Velay.
Nearest train station: Langeac
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
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