📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Having the experience of international workcamps carried out between 2005 and 2008, the municipality of Chomérac wishes to renew this experience and pursue the promotion and safeguarding of its heritage. Carried out in collaboration with the association "Chomérac Patrimoine Vivant", this summer’s workcamp will focus on the restoration of a foot path and the enhancement of an old canal located nearby.
💼 What the programme involves
Former medieval village and located on the hillside, the town of Chomérac consists of many narrow streets, made in the form of « calades ». Mainly used in Occitanie (south-west) and along the Rhône Valley, the term "calade" designates a sloping lane paved with pebbles from the neighboring river, here from the Rhône. You will participate in the fixing of one of the calades located near a canal formerly used for milling. Heart of silk industry in Ardèche from the 17th century, Chomérac is known for the richness of its heritage linked to this textile activity. Characterized by the use of hydraulic power resources, the milling activity gives rise to numerous channels. Now almost dry, your mission will be to clear the canal from invasive vegetation and sediment accumulated in its bed, in order to enhance the canal and allow the water to drain better. To carry out this work, you will be supervised by the volunteers of the association "Chomérac Patrimoine Vivant" who will be happy to share with you their know-how and the history of these places. Hosted 10 minutes away on foot, you will walk to the site and work 4 to 5 hours a day.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be staying in the Triolet space, in the gymnasium party. You will have the facilities necessary for group life (WC, shower and kitchen). Located in the city center, you will have access to local shops (bakery, butcher, general stores).
📍 About the location
Located in the center-east of the Ardèche department, the town of Chomérac is located in the foothills of the Massif Central and has 3,000 inhabitants. You can stroll through the alleys of the old city center and climb up to the Keep of the old castle, a vestige of the wars of religion. You can also explore the industrial past of the city with a visit to the numerous old mills, including the oldest known as "La Royale", the aqueduct of la Neuve or the marble quarries. You can also take the hiking trails through the valley. Volunteers from the "Chomérac Patrimoine Vivant" association will offer you activities related to the discovery of the region and the region: hiking, Mont Gerbier des Joncs, Lake of Issarlès, visits to surrounding villages, picnic organization. You can also take part in local life (market, flea markets ...).
