CASTLE ON WATER
France
Renovation
Renovation
Fixed dates
About the project
CASTLE ON WATER
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Built in 1712, the castle of Ricquebourg is located in the centre of a 44 hectares park, in the middle of a lake. Over time, it has changed owners many times. At the end of the 19th century, rich Americans occupied the place. The family enlarged the castle and converted the park into an English garden with greenhouses. During the First World War, the building was partially destroyed and was rebuilt in 1925 on a single floor. The castle now takes the form of a trianon “resting on a mirror of water”.
The current owners would like to welcome the public more frequently and to renovate the property for this purpose. The association "Société des Amis du Domaine de Ricquebourg" (the Society of the Ricquebourg estate’s friends) was created in order to carry out the necessary work for the preservation of the castle and the opening of the park. In this objective, the greenhouses of the English-style garden should be able to offer a welcoming and relaxing place for visitors (benches and tables, potential exhibition space...). This second workcamp in Ricquebourg will therefore contribute to this project by continuing the restoration of the greenhouses. It will also be an opportunity to meet and exchange with the owners, as well as with the inhabitants of the village.
💼 What the programme involves
You\'ve always dreamt of living in a castle? Get involved and live a unique experience in a 44 hectares park, with a breath-taking view on an 18th century castle floating on the water.
In the continuity of the previous year, you will continue the renovation of the greenhouses of the castle of Ricquebourg. Although the castle was built in the 18th century, the greenhouses were built in the 19th century to meet the will of the American owners of that time. The intervention will consist in cleaning and protecting the metal structure of the greenhouse: brushing, painting and small repairs. You will also be able to participate in the masonry work: brick laying and repointing.
This project in a rural area will allow interactions with a wide range of publics. By renovating this heritage, symbol of the town, you will allow its preservation and participate in its history.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation will be in individual tents in the park of the castle. A large tent will be used as a living space for collective daily life and a place to cook will be provided, with everything needed. Sanitary facilities will also be set up outside. You will use the bathroom in the castle. You will share the various collective tasks and prepare meals all together.
📍 About the location
Ricquebourg is a small village of about 280 inhabitants located in the Hauts-de-France, in the department of Oise. The town is 1h away from Amiens and 30min away from Compiègne. You will be able to take full advantage of the park of the castle and of all the possibilities it offers to have fun. You will also have the opportunity to discover some of the numerous historical monuments of the region, among which there is the imperial palace of Compiègne, the castle of Pierrefonds, the Armistice quarry, etc.
⚠️ Requirements
This project is supported by the program European Solidarity Corps for young people between 18 and 30 years. It is open to all volunteers that fit the ESC criteria.
The participation to the ESC volunteering teams is subjects to several principles and conditions, presented on the ESC webpage: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity/mission_en
● volunteers do not have to pay any fee (not sending, nor participation fee) to attend the project;
● volunteers need to enrol in the PASS, the European Solidarity Corps Portal; Concordia France will organize their matching, on the online system, with the volunteering project;
● volunteers will receive pocket money, calculated on basis of 6€/day, once they arrive on the project in France.
ℹ️ Additional information
Part of the work will be done on scaffolding. Please remember to bring work clothes and work shoes. For accommodation in tents, bring your sleeping bag and a camping mat. Tents are provided. You can also bring traditional food, photos, musical instruments, in short, whatever you like and want to share during the workcamp, either with the local population or with the group of volunteers!
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 them, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
CONCF-245-ESC
03/07/2021 → 17/07/2021
Volunteers registered
0 / 16
♂ 0/8
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ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–30 years old
Solidarity donation
0.00
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Ricquebourg, France
France
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 21:01 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French