📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Among rivers and castles, discover the beautiful land of Cathars and restore an old shepherd’s hut!
In this old city from the 10th century and the nearby cities can be found an exceptional historic heritage. The Cathars lived there before, and they have been hunted and persecuted by the Church. They left behind them a rich culture, historic places and a lot of beautiful castles in the middle of the mountains.
Today you can take part in the preservation of this rich local, international and human heritage. In this project you will restore an « Orri », Occitan word for shepherd’s hut. Those huts are a part of Quillan’s heritage and the symbol of a way of life and a work threaten to disappear.
💼 What the programme involves
You will restore the old hut in a sustainable way, supported by your technical leader, you will use the techniques of dry stones to restore the entry, and day by day, rebuild the wall of stones. At the same time you will restore the old natural basins.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accommodated under tents, with an access to toilets and showers. Tents will be provided but you can bring your own if you want. The group will be sharing the cleaning chores and preparing meals together. The budget will be allocated to the group leader ad you will participate in the preparation of dishes using good products from the market and local producers.
📍 About the location
Quillan is located in the north of the Pyrenees and in the south of the department of the Aude. The lakes and rivers in the surroundings have been an opportunity to develop a lot of water sports or activities. Quillan is seen as an international center for water sports.
Surrounded by 3 natural parks, the nature lovers can participate at many activities in the ‘Centre Sports Nature de la Forge’ (hikes, canoe, mountain bike, rafting, climbing…).
You can find a great cultural heritage close to Quillan, discover the Cathars Castles (Puivert 15km, Puillaurens 17km and Arques 22km) but also the Quillan castle and his old church.
More information: www.quillan.fr
⚠️ Requirements
For the work, please bring gardening gloves, working clothes and closed shoes.
As the night can be quite cold, remember also to bring warm clothes and a sleeping bag.
Don’t forget your protections against the sun (hat, glasses, sunscreen…) and your swim suit!
Some shared times could be organized if you want, so please feel free to bring some cultural materials in your bag (food, recipes, stories or dances)!
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 then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
ℹ️ Additional information
Meeting point:
Train station of Quillan.
Closest airport:
Montpellier, Marseille or Paris.