📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Live a strong experience in an environment steeped in history: amateurs of nature and heritage, this workcamp is made for you!
Discover the Abbey of Escaladieu, historic jewel in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées region and participate to the conservation of a unique heritage. Choose a peaceful experience in a mountainous environment: rivers and forests promise you of beautiful hikes! The region is rich in medieval heritage: abbeys of course, but also mills, castles, roman baths and spectacular geological sites like the abyss of Esparros, one of the most beautiful of Pyrenees Mountains!
The Abbey was an important step for all the pilgrims to Compostelle who followed the Path of Piedmont, and is today part of the «European Roads of the Cistercian abbeys "circuit. For several years the Departmental Council of the Hautes-Pyrénées region operated a long-term rehabilitation program to emphasize the beauty of the site and buildings while developing a strong cultural dynamics. This year the Abbey organizes for the first time an international youth workcamp. As the site welcomes more than 17.000 visitors a year, get ready to see a lot of people!
💼 What the programme involves
You will be in charge of removing the vegetation of the outer wall of the Abbey and of strengthening the stone masonry. The objective is to preserve the existing building, so you will use traditional stonework techniques.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accommodated in tents, with boys and girls separated, in a municipal camping site, near the mill of Sarlabousse. You will participate in the preparation of meals and shall favor purchasing from local producers.
📍 About the location
The abbey of Escaladieu is situated on the municipality of Bonnemazon in the Hautes-Pyrénées region. At the foot of the Castle of Mauvezin, the abbey is situated in a wooded valley called Les Baronnies, close to two roman baths cities called Capvern and Bagnères of Bigorre. At 15km from there stands Tournay, with its delicious specialty, the fruit paste! You will also find nearby the regional natural reserve of Pyrenees, Lourdes, Gavarnie, the Bridge of Spain, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre mountain, the cultural heritage sites like the churches, the villages, but also these intangible cultural heritages like the traditional celebrations, the local fairs, the landscapes, the high-quality local products and so on. The Abbey organizes these activities on-site every Thursday and Sunday. In brief, no time to be bored in Les Barronies!
⚠️ Requirements
Consider taking work clothes and shoes (waterproof if possible, in case of rain). The roman baths are not far, take your swimsuits! Bring a warm sleeping bag and a good camping mat (sleeping in tent), nights are sometimes fresh and wet. Tents will be provided but you can also bring your own. Do not hesitate to bring specialties from your home, photos, games, music instruments, etc.
Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring their 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:
Vic-Fezensac train station.
Closest airport:
Toulouse or Paris
Fee:
165€