📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
You will be the first generation of international volunteers to come to Montfa Castle. The dwellers of the Tarn are attached to History and culture. After you, several workcamps will take place in Montfa. The local people will be happy to share with you the tales and legends of the land throughout the centuries.
Come back in a few years to see the result and the positive impact of your work on the local community!
💼 What the programme involves
Come to discover the rural South of France throughout the ages at Montfa Castle! It will take you back a thousand years to the Middle Ages, times of templars, cathars, knights and legends. Located in the center of the Tarn county, the Heart of Occitany, you will be at the crossroads of several natural and cultural regions, all with their own history and legends.
Montfa Castle belonged to famous painter Toulouse-Lautrec\'s family. Nowadays in ruins, a local NGO has started rebuilding certain areas.
You will learn traditional masonry techniques using carved stones and natural lime mortar. Accompanied by a technical facilitator you will rebuild a part of the central façade of the main building in the castle. You will also participate in workshops to learn the art of stone-crafting.
On August the 15th you will assist the medieval fair of Puycelsi village.
In the rural Tarn you will discover the deep Douce France (Sweet France).
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will sleep at the local campsite in two-person tents (please bring your sleeping mat).
The group activities and meals will take place outside or in a multipurpose room. There will be ecological toilets and outside solar showers.
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 seasonal products from the market and local producers.
📍 About the location
You will be located at the center of the Tarn county, in the Southwest of France, with remarkable natural and man-made heritage. The Tarn is a very rural area, made of hills and valleys covered by small fields and forests. The beauty and diversity of this countryside presents a great historical, architectural and environmental interest. Outdoors activities such as hiking, archeology visits are possible.
Not far from Montfa is the UNESCO Heritage city of Albi, where life goes on pretty much as it has been since centuries ago, with one of the world’s most impressive cathedrals.
You will be able to visit several castles, such as the one you will work in, and medieval landmarks, such as nearby Lautrec town.
ℹ️ Additional information
Bring working clothes, gloves, and enclosed shoes. Bring a sleeping bag for cold weather, as nights might be cold and we may also sleep in the mountains. To enjoy hiking, bring your trekking shoes. For the brave ones who want to take a dip in the river, bring your swimsuit. Feel free to bring activities from home such as photos, games, musical instruments, etc.
Foreigners from the European Union must bring their personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and all participants must bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise during the program, volunteers will need to cover all costs; they will be reimbursed upon their return to their home country.
