PONT-DU-CHATEAU – Stone terraced gardens
France
Renovation
Renovation
Fixed dates
About the project
PONT-DU-CHATEAU – Stone terraced gardens
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Located near the natural river Allier, Pont du Chateau is a town that wishes to bring nature into the city through sustainable management of natural areas. Former terraced gardens are gradually being redeveloped and managed as ecological gardens by international volunteers. Your task on this project will be to reconstruct the walls that border the terraces. This international workcamp will let you discover its medieval town. Local celebrations, meals with the inhabitants and the discovery of the region will be on your schedule, as well as the party organized at the end of the workcamp!
💼 What the programme involves
*** VERSION EN FRANCAIS DISPONIBLE EN FIN DE DESCRIPTION ***
*** French version at the end of the description ***
For ten years now, international volunteers have been restoring Pont-du-Chateau stone terraced gardens. The site has already changed a great deal. You too can participate in this big project!
This summer the objective is ambitious! The challenge: restore the outer stone wall located on the upper part of the terraces. The coating is falling off and there are cracks in the wall. Your work will consist in reinforcing the wall and thus making it look more appealing. This is important because it is the entrance to the Gardens from the town. Working alongside a technical instructor, you will learn traditional building techniques using lime mortar and apply a natural coating. If you are interested, you can also be introduced to the technique of dry-stone construction. The work will take place in an area rich in natural resources, not far from Allier River.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accompanied by two camp leaders throughout your stay. You will sleep at the local site in two-person tents set up in the grass. You will have your meals and showers in the rugby stadium, which offers a large living space in a calm place near the river. 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 using healthy products from the market and local producers. The entire stadium will be available to you and closed to the public
📍 About the location
Pont-du-Chateau is a lively little town which overlooks the river Allier. The town is proud of its natural surroundings and the area is great for walking. The castle is in the heart of the town and offers a remarkable view over the agglomeration of Clermont-Ferrand city and the Auvergne volcanoes. This charming market town, full of tiny alleyways, timber-framed houses and remarkable buildings is awaiting its visitors with wonderful surprises. You will be welcomed by local organizations who will offer you activities to do during your leisure time: for example, kayaking, hiking, swimming, learning how to play boules (“petanque”), sport, etc. Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of the region, is only 15km away and can be reached by train. You will be able to enjoy the town's summery energy (concerts, Sable Show festival, visiting the historic town centre, French National Day and fireworks).
ℹ️ Additional information
Please bring good shoes, working clothes, your swimsuit and a sleeping bag. You can also bring recipes from your home country, musical instruments and games. You will get around Pont-du-Château on foot and by car or minibus on time.
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.
For more information have a look at: http://www.pontduchateau.net and https://www.clermontauvergnetourisme.com
*** RETROUVEZ NOS DESCRIPTIFS EN FRANCAIS ICI: ***
*** French version here: ***
https://www.concordia.fr/chantiers-france-2020
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Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
CONCF-031
03/07/2020 → 17/07/2020
Volunteers registered
0 / 13
♂ 0/6
♀ 0/7
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 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
63430 Pont-du-Château, France
France
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 22:07 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French