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VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
IN FRANCE |
 CLERIEUX
Rhone Alpes
June 19 - July 9, 2005
 Restoration of
stone walls in the heart of the Drome hills
French speaking project
Volunteer project: The town already hosted international workcamps in the
80’s. They were aimed at the embellishment of the village. The young
volunteers left good memories, and it is therefore without hesitation
that the municipality renewed this experience at the beginning of the
summer 2004. Very strong and notable moments took place, with the
children of the school, to whom the volunteers talked about their
countries. This year, the group will have to restore a stone wall, at
the center of the village. Thus, the inhabitants will have the
opportunity to benefit from the presence of this group.
Guided by a local employee, the volunteer work will consist in restoring
stone walls which frame the place of the town hall and the church
(removing of old coating, staking, etc. in order to let stones
apparent).
Camp language: French
Possible free time activities:
- Excursions to Romans with visit of the shoe museum and the oldest part of the
town,
- Discovery of St Donat sur l' Herbasse, Hauterives (the Facteur Cheval palace), Tain l'Hermitage
(cooperative cellar, chocolate factory) or St Marcellin, St Antoine l'Abbaye in Isere,
- Outdoor activities such as hiking, football or swimming in the lake
Chambos, excursion to the Vercors mountains, meeting with other workcamps.
Accommodation: In a former flat, currently turned into a youth
house.
Location: At the heart of the Drome des Collines, between Vercors and
Coteaux Ardechois, between Romans and Tain l’Hermitage and 20 km north
of Valence, Clerieux is a rural village with rich industrial past with
its grinding and its factory for fabrics. Its medieval past has left
ramparts and a castle. Today, this dynamic town of 2,000 inhabitants,
which participate in many associations’ activities, enjoys a huge
demographic increase.
Nearest train station: Valence-Ville
Nearest airport: Lyon
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
CHATEAUNEUF DE GALAURE
June 19 - July 9, 2005
Restoration with traditional techniques
Volunteer project: The "Patrimoine Castelneuvois" is composed of
20 members, very involved in the restoration of the St Pierre de
Charriere church site. They used to guide groups of young people (farm
training...). They wish to host an international group, and they have
mobilized the municipality around this project.
Guided by members of the "Patrimoine Castelneuvois" association, the
volunteer group will participate in the rebuilding of a wall made of
Galore's rollers by using traditional ways.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities:
- Excursion at Romans with visit of the shoe museum and of the old
center.
- Discover of the towns of St Vallier, St Donat sur l'Herbasse, Tain
l'Hermitage (cooperative cellars, chocolate factory), St Marcellin and
of St Antoine l'Abbaye en Isere.
- Sports: hikes, football, swimming...
- Visit of "le Facteur Cheval" palace at Hauterives, excursion at the
labyrinths of plants, discover of the Vercors.
- Meeting with other workcamps during an excursion to discover Lyon.
Accommodation: In the changing rooms of the football grounds.
Location: 30 km north of Valence. At the heart of La Drome des
Collines, on the left bank of river Galaure, between St Vallier and Le
Grand Serre, Chateuneuf de Galaure is a village which is essentially
rural. Its territory is characterized by the mixed-farming of bovines
and goats.
Nearest train station: Valence-Ville
Nearest airport: Lyon
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
FONTANES June 26
- July 16, 2005
Help
make a castle more welcoming
Volunteer project: From 1959 to 1994, the Fontanes castle hosted
summer camps. Inhabitants of the village have fond mermories of groups
of teenagers in the streets. For 6 years, the community has been the
owner of the site. St Etienne Metropole finds the opportunity to confirm
its interest in the countryside while developping assets for the urban
community.
You will participate in the clearing of the vegetation which covers
walls of the castle, and in the restorations of these walls. A former
fountain, located under the pigeon shed, will have to be cleared in
order to give it again its proper appearance.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities:
- Visit of St Etienne (museum of Art and Industry, the Astronef, The
Montaud Park...),
- Discover Firminy (the biggest site: Le Corbusier d’Europe), visit of
Lyon, the Pilat Park,
- Sports: football, hikes, tennis, swimming...
- Meeting with other workcamps.
Accommodation: Lodging in the castle.
Location: Fontanes is a rural village of 620 inhabitants, located
at the beginning of the Monts du Lyonnais, almost 20 km away from St
Etienne. Region of medium altitude, the landscape is composed of a
succession of mountainous groups surrounded by small valleys with huge
slopes. The closeness of the Natural Park of le Pilat is a further
attractive point.
Nearest train station: St-Etienne Châteaucreux
Age range: 18 - 30
years old
PUY L'EVEQUE
Midi-Pyrenees
June
26 - July 9, 2005
Preserving local
heritage sites
Volunteer project: Anxious to offer a pleasant environment and to
preserve its inheritance full of history, the municipality has hosted
workcamps of young volonteers in its village for a long time. The
municipality is particularly interested in this kind of voluntary
actions that mix hard work with fun moments.
In the magnificent Martignac village, volunteers from different
countries will carry out various renovation and restoration works on dry
stone walls, as well as cleaning green areas.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities: Community swimming pool, canoe-kayak,
visits to surrounding castles, hikes.
Accommodation: In one of the buildings of the community stadium,
with access to its kitchen and restrooms.
Location: At an altitute of 130 m, 30 km west of the town of Cahors, Puy
l'Eveque has 2200 inhabitants. Puy l'Eveque is a delightful medieval
village located on the right bank of the meandering river Lot, with
considerable historic interest like the 14th century church, or the
golden houses that cluster along the narrow streets. This village, an
old medieval town, with a very interesting past,
has monuments built up with typical regional stones. Nearest city is Cahors.
Nearest train station: Cahors
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
TRETS 3
Bouches du Rhone
June 29 - July 16, 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 an ancient medieval village situated between Mount Sainte-Victoire and
the Monts Aureliens on the border of the Var and the Bouches du Rhone. You will
discover a large town undergoing extensive economic development, with the
historic heart of the village encircled by the remains of its ramparts.
The site has a rich historic past. You can happily stroll around the narrow
streets of Trets and you will come across beautiful ancient houses with
picturesque window-frames. Trets is surrounded by fortifications dating back to
the 12th and 13th century and you will come across five gate-ways which are
still standing including the Portail de Saint Jean to the south and the Portail
de Pourrieres to the west. You will also discover arched passage-ways typical of
a medieval village, and in particular the curiously named "Trou de Madame Lion".
Do not miss the unfinished church tower of the 13th century ancient synagogue
and the superbly imposing 12th century Notre Dame de Nazareth church (classified
as a historic monument). After this visit, the "place du 14 Juillet" bordered by
plane trees is an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a cool drink from one of the
pleasant cafes.
Once refreshed, you can then set off to discover the countryside surrounding
Trets... You will have a magnificent panoramic view from the St Jean du Puy
chapel. Before your eyes Mount Sainte-Victoire, the Alpes, the Sainte-Baume, the
Arc and the Huveaune valleys all unfold. From this spot, you will no doubt
appreciate the wonders of nature!
CREUZIER LE VIEUX
Auvergne July 3 - July 16,
2005
Laying
out a spring in a town with rich historical inheritance
Volunteer project: Between 1995 and 1996, the town of Creuzier le Vieux
has regularly hosted volunteer workcamps. Anxious to host again
international volunteers, it welcomed a groups in 2003 and 2004. Very
satisfied by those two experiences, it wishes to reiterate this
operation in order to highlight the local inheritance. Last year, the
restoration of a washing place was done by the volonteers, and this
year, it wishes to make them intervene in the laying out of the St
Coust’s spring, called “source de Lisbonne” as it was discovered during
Portugal’s earthquake in 1755.
Guided by a communal employee who already worked with a workcamp in
2004, the participants will help in the laying out of a spring including
clearing, cleaning and laying out of benches.
Camp language: French and English
Possible free time activities:
- On the spot: football ground, gymnasium, basketball, walks on the
verge of the Allier, canoe, swimming.
- Nearby: Maison du verre, La pastillerie de Vichy, la cristalliere,
fireworks (14th July), towns of Vichy and Cusset.
- Further: Rock'Preserv (Brout Vernet).
Accommodation: In the changing rooms of the football grounds.
Location: Creuzier-le Vieux dominates the valley of river Allier, and a
part of its territory approaches its banks. The municipality owns a valuable
historical inheritance, with its Roman church and various elements of small
inheritance (crosses, washer). It is close to the towns of Vichy and Cusset, and within
easy access to sites of touristic and cultural interest. Population: 3,000
inhabitants. Nearest cities are
Cusset (2 km) and Vichy (4 km).
Nearest train station: Vichy
Nearest airport: Vichy
Age range: 18 - 30 years old
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