📝 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 in medium altitudes which houses 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 turn of a path, among trees from all continents, the ruins of an old stone hut are ready to be renovated. After the first edition in 2018, the workcamp is coming back this year! 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 continuing the work started by the volunteers in 2018. You will remove the stones from the ruin in order to rebuild the building. You will be supervised by technical staff who will teach you 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 at the Arcon’s guesthouse next to the workcamp. Two dorms will be available, girls and boys separately. The cottage has toilets, showers and a kitchen that will be at your disposal.
The group will be guided by two camp leaders, one group leader and one technical leader. Together you will participate in the organization of the collective life (cleaning, activities …), you will prepare meals in turns using the products bought nearby. We will favour local products and short supply chains. Tastings of local specialties may also be organised with local producers.
📍 About the location
The site of the Grands Murcins, where this workcamp takes place, is located in the municipality of Arcon at nearly 800 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Mounts of the Madeleine area. This village of about one hundred inhabitants is attached to the agglomeration of Roannais 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, which is a partner on this project.
The cities of Lyon and Saint Etienne are respectively 1h30 and 1h00 away by car.
⚠️ Requirements
Remember to bring gloves as well as working clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Although accommodation is inside, remember to bring a warm sleeping bag and warm clothes. Also take appropriate clothing in case of rain or for hiking in altitudes (pullovers, polar, raincoats...). Do not forget sun protection as well (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen) and a swimming suit. The common life activities will be programmed together with your camp leaders and according to your suggestions! If you would like to share 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 will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
