📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
For lovers of ancient architecture, come together for the restoration of a garden’s wall in the village of Lassay-les-Châteaux.
One commune, three castles: Located in the North of Mayenne, Lassay-les-Châteaux, 2300 inhabitants, the town charms you with its rich heritage, its medieval garden and its rose garden. The picturesque alleys will make you discover dreamy panoramas.
Lassay-les-Châteaux seduces through its strong historical and architectural imprint. The perfectly preserved Château de Lassay (14th century) and the châteaux of Bois Thibault and Bois Frou are linked by a path following the legend of King Arthur. All three castles are witnesses to a rich past.
Enthusiastic about hosting their first international project this year, the elected municipal officials and involved residents will welcome you with open arms to let you discover the history of their municipality and its remarkable environment. They are very happy to be able to interact with new people from different cultural backgrounds.
For this first year, we will work on the restauration of the garden’s wall. The exchanges between locals and volunteers are guaranteed: you can be sure that you will enjoy the jovial atmosphere of this village!
💼 What the programme involves
You will take part in the restoration of the garden’s wall, and will learn traditional techniques of masonry: clear it from undergrowth, masonry work, repair the joints of the bricks by using traditional techniques (e.g. lime mortar).
Besides the restoration work, you will be in charge of setting up activities in the village in collaboration with the local population. You will be involved in the preparation of the "Les Entrelacés" Festival.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Let’s go on an adventure! You are going to sleep in tents, by 2 or 3 (bring your mattress and your sleeping bag), on a field. Sanitary facilities (toilets, bathroom) will be at your disposal in a local football club building. The cooking and living spaces will be inside a building. Meals will be taken there as well. The group will be sharing the cleaning chores and preparing meals together. The budget will be allocated to the group leader and you will participate in the preparation of dishes with good products from the market and local producers.
📍 About the location
Lassay-les-Châteaux is located in the North of Mayenne Department, 55 km north from Laval and 80 km north-west from Le Mans.
Meetings with the local population will be organised, in particular by organising a Citizen Participation Day besides your construction work. The group of volunteers will also participate in the organization of the "Les Entrelacés" Street Arts Festival
For more information about the festival, have a look at: https://www.lesentrelaces.com/
About Lassay-les-Châteaux : http://www.lassay-les-chateaux.fr/ ; http://www.petitescitesdecaractere.com/fr/nos-petites-cites-de-caractere/lassay-les-chateaux
⚠️ Requirements
Workcamp on the country side. Please bring gardening gloves, good shoes and working clothes. As nights can be quite cold, remember also to bring warm clothes. Don’t forget to bring a sleeping-mat, a warm sleeping bag (and a tent if you have one!).
Don’t hesitate to bring specialities from your home country such as photos, games, music instruments, etc.
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.