📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The village of Artonne is rich of a very important built heritage including listed monuments witnessing the importance of the borough during the Middle Age. It also has a remarkable collection of mansions and private castles, many dovecotes, vineyard huts and a network of fountains and crosses. Artonne even obtained the quality label of “small city with character” in 2016 and takes part in the famous “most beautiful village of France” competition.
The municipality is therefore in a heritage restoration process to safeguard the vestiges of its past, to showcase for its residents and visitors and to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the town in general. To do so, the inhabitants have been opening their village’s doors for two years to international volunteers and are impatiently waiting for you!
💼 What the programme involves
You will resume the restoration of a typical lime kiln started two years ago by international volunteers. It was abandoned for many years: vegetation invaded the building and the furnace collapsed. The facade wall and the furnace chimney have been rebuilt since then. This year you will resume the building of a wall which will be covered by a stone facing. You will also participate in the consolidation of the kiln and the construction of a low wall on the roof. Thanks to this workcamp, the lime kiln will almost be finished! Accompanied by a technical instructor, you will learn traditional masonry techniques.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will sleep under two-place tents around the village’s stadium. The sanitary facilities (showers and toilets), the locker room and cooking space will be provided for the group of volunteers. Meals will be taken outdoor when the weather allows it and under a marquee installed on site. In case of rain, you will be able to use the village hall to get shelter. The group will be sharing the cleaning chores and be preparing meals together. The budget will be allocated to the group leader and you will participate in the preparation of dishes using good products from the market and local producers.
📍 About the location
Artonne is a town of about 800 people located in the wine-producing Limagne region, between the cities of Limagne and Combrailles. The village has kept its original identity of "Balcony Village" coiled mid-slopes. The green surroundings of the village include protected natural areas. At about 30 km north of Clermont-Ferrand, that wine producing region offers many opportunities for hiking, canoeing and kayaking and swimming in lakes.
You will also have the chance to see concerts and shows in the town of Riom during your stay.
⚠️ Requirements
Working on heights possible, on mason trestles. Bring working clothes, hiking boots and a backpack. The nights can be cool; so take warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. You can also take recipes from your country, musical instruments and games. You will get around Artonne on foot and by car.
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
Riom train station.
Closest airport:
Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon or Paris.