📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The municipality is keen to enhance the historical heritage of the city centre. The workcamp will be the 4th one in partnership with the city of Noyon. After restoring the ironwork in the cathedral quarter in the first year, the volunteers began the renovation of an ashlar wall in 2020 before taking over the masonry of the staircase last year. Because of its central location, this project will be an opportunity to meet and share with the local population.
More info at: http://noyon.fr/
💼 What the programme involves
Are you fascinated by the medieval period? Come and discover the city of Noyon whose architecture still allows you to dive in this period of history. Built in Roman times, the city has crossed the ages and has notably hosted the coronation of king and emperor Charlemagne in the 8th century! Today, it is possible to walk in the heart of the cathedral district, a true witness of the medieval organization.
This year you will continue the renovation of a stone wall which is the surrounding wall of the music conservatory. You will discover the traditional technique of masonry with lime mortar. The intervention will consist in disjointing and repointing the wall.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation will be in individual tents, near the Jean Bouin sport facility. Showers, non-mixed, will be at your disposal in this gymnasium and a large tent will be installed for the collective life as well as for the kitchen part. You will share the different collective tasks and prepare the meals together.
📍 About the location
Noyon is a city of about 14,000 inhabitants located in the Hauts-de-France, in the department of Oise, in the heart of the former Picardie region. The city is located 1.5 hours from Paris and is on the Paris-Lille axis. The region has a rich and varied historical heritage that you can discover nearby: the castle of Chantilly, the palace of Compiegne, the castle of Pierrefonds, the quarry of the Armistice and very beautiful Gothic cathedrals.
An initiation to stone cutting is planned as well as a guided tour of the cathedral during which you will discover all its corners. Don't forget, the French national holiday (14th of July) happens during your stay! You will be able to attend the festivities in Noyon.
In addition to the cultural activities, sports activities are to be expected. This year, the partner provides bicycles for the volunteers, the opportunity to visit the banks of the Oise and to organize several rides. Every summer, the volunteers take advantage of the municipal swimming pool to refresh themselves, so don't forget to bring your bathing suit!
⚠️ Requirements
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 arise on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
ℹ️ Additional information
Remember to bring work clothes for the work site as well as closed shoes. In anticipation of possible aquatic activities, remember to bring a bathing suit. As the accommodation is under tents, bring your sleeping bag and a floor mat. Tents are provided. You can also bring culinary specialties, 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!
