RENOVATION ALONG THE CANAL
France
Renovation
Renovation
Fixed dates
About the project
RENOVATION ALONG THE CANAL
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The town of Lamotte-Beuvron has been working for years to rehabilitate the Sauldre canal. This is the fourth time that a work camp is organised here. Built on the orders of Napoleon III, the canal drains into the Lamotte-Beuvron's basin.
Over a distance of 47 km, this canal was created to transport cargoes of marl, a sedimentary rock composed of limestone and clay, in the aim of being spread on the countryside to fertilise the soils of the Sologne. Abandoned almost a century ago, the canal has now become a tourist trail, located both on the equestrian route linking Chambord to Sancerre and on the Grande Randonnée trail no. 31, which is very popular with nature lovers.
💼 What the programme involves
Take part in the renovation of the Sauldre canal basin, a natural and historical heritage in the heart of the Sologne, in Lamotte-Beuvron, about two hours from Paris.
The basin was at the same time an harbourg and a manoeuvring area for barges carrying rock cargoes. The canal was built nearly two hundred years ago by Napoleon III and, although it is no longer navigable today, its towpath is popular with hikers, who are seduced by the peace and charm of the landscape.
Located in the town centre, the basin and the esplanade around it are at the heart of a development project led by the town council.
In the continuity of a workcamp organised last year, your mission will be to repair the stone riprap that composes the structure of the basin. You will need to remove the weed from the banks and fix the disjointed stones by using traditional masonry techniques.
Some of the work will be performed from a floating platform. Even if the water is low in summer, it is essential to know how to swim to participate in this work.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Your accommodation will be located about 20 minutes walk from the worksite. You will have your own tent, on the field of the stadium, close to the House of Sports, where you will have access to sanitary facilities, showers, as well as a kitchen and a common room where you will be able to have your meals or to shelter in case of bad weather. Remember to bring your mattress and sleeping bag.
In collaboration with the animation team, you will participate in the shopping and cooking. Following an eco-friendly approach, you will be invited to use local and seasonal products. By the way, feel free to come with your own recipes, it's a great opportunity to share your history and culture with the group. A washing machine or a laundromat will be available (it is still recommended to bring 2 weeks of clothes). Wifi will be available in the town hall or by hotspot with the French volunteers and the animation team.
📍 About the location
Only two hours from the south of Paris, surrounded by woods and ponds which embellish the Sologne, the town of Lamotte-Beuvron is known as the home of the largest equestrian centre in Europe. It is appreciated for its gastronomy, especially for the famous apple dessert that was invented more than a century ago in an auberge in the town: the very tasty Tarte Tatin. You will undoubtedly have the opportunity to discover this sweet dessert while visiting the village in your free time. The city of Orléans, the regional capital of the area, is also easily accessible by public transport.
⚠️ 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 happen on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
ℹ️ Additional information
The work site will take place in a rural environment. For practical and ecological reasons, travel will be mainly on foot or by bicycle. Remember to bring gloves, clothes and shoes suitable for outdoor work. Don't forget to bring a sleeping bag, summer and rain clothes, as well as a swimming costume and toiletries.You can also use a pillowcase as a pillow by filling it. You can bring board games, a musical instrument or anything from your region/country that you want to share with the group, as well as a Bluetooth speaker. Please note that volunteers must be able to swim !
On the last day (23/08), the departure time is usually set in the morning.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📷 Project photos
RENOVATION ALONG THE CANAL
RENOVATION ALONG THE CANAL
RENOVATION ALONG THE CANAL
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📅 Available sessions
CONCF-4506
09/08/2024 → 23/08/2024
Volunteers registered
0 / 14
♂ 0/7
♀ 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
41600 Lamotte-Beuvron, France
France
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 21:32 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French