📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
From the Arboretum des Grands Murcins, discover a natural site in the heart of the Mounts of the Madeleine and take part in the renovation of a hut in ruins!
The municipality of Arcon, located in the perimeter of the agglomeration of Roanne, is a small village of medium altitude which shelters the Arboretum des Grands Murcins. This site offers a breathtaking view of the Roanne plains and many educational materials for a better understanding of the local fauna and flora. At the bend of a path, among trees from all continents, the ruins of an old stone hut are now waiting to be renovated. During this first project, you will participate in the development of local heritage by starting the renovation that will last several summers.
💼 What the programme involves
You will work on the foundations of the hut by removing the stones from the ruin. You will do some sorting, storage and cleaning work to use them to rebuild the building. You will be supervised by a technical animator who will transmit you his skills in ancient masonry. This workcamp does not require any specific skills. Only your motivation and ability to work in a team will be needed to complete this project.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accommodated inside Arcon’s cottage next to the workcamp. Two dorms will be available, to respect equality between men and women. The cottage has facilities, such as toilets, showers and a kitchen that will be at your disposal.
The group will be managed by 2 camp leaders, one group leader and one technical leader. Together you will participate at the organization of collective life (cleaning, activities …), you will prepare meals in turns using the products bought nearby. We will favour local products and short supply circuits. Tastings of local specialties may also be organised with local producers.
📍 About the location
The site of the Grands Murcins, where this workcamp take place, is located in the municipality of Arcon at nearly 800 meters above sea level, in the heart of Mounts of the Madeleine area. This village of one hundred inhabitants is attached to the Community of Agglomeration Roannais Agglomération which gathers about forty communes in the north of the Loire in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In this area, many activities of discovery and recreation (swimming, hiking, sports activities...) can be proposed thanks to the support of Roannais Agglomeration, who’s a partner of the project.
The cities of Lyon and Saint Etienne are respectively at 1h30 and 1h00 by road.
⚠️ Requirements
Remember to bring gloves as well as working clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. In the mountains, nights may be chilly. Remember to bring a warm sleeping bag and warm clothes. Do not forget sun protection as well (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen). The common living activities will be programmed together with your animators and according to your suggestions! If you would like to share a bit of your culture, (cooking recipes, traditional stories) do not hesitate to bring a piece of your country in your backpack!
Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues happen on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
ℹ️ Additional information
Meeting point:
Train station of Roanne.
Closest airport:
Lyon or Geneva or Paris