RENOVATION ALONG THE CANAL
France
Teenagers
Renovation
Teenagers
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 several years to develop the Sauldre canal which crosses its territory and welcomes for the first time an international workcamp. Built by order of Napoleon III, the canal discharges its waters into the former unloading station of the Lamotte-Beuvron basin, a town closely linked to the French Second Empire. 47 km long, it starts at Blancafort, in the neighboring department of Cher, where marl was extracted, a mixture of limestone and clay that was transported by boat before being spread in the fields to fertilize the marshy and acidic soils of Sologne. Abandoned for almost a century, the canal has now become a tourist trail located on the equestrian path from Chambord to Sancerre and the GR number 31 long-distance hike trail, popular among nature lovers.
💼 What the programme involves
Participate in the renovation of small engineering structures along the Sauldre canal, a natural and historical heritage that crosses the Sologne, at Lamotte-Beuvron, two hours from the south of Paris.
Over 1 kilometer, between the Lamotte-Beuvron basin and the Beauval lock upstream, the Sauldre canal is embellished with three engineering structures used to drain water towards the canal. Today in poor condition, these structures still guarantee the passage of the bicycle and horse trail along the canal. After cleaning the accesses, you will take part in the repair of the Sologne brick vaults, using traditional masonry techniques. Your work will also consist of replacing defective stones on the decks and installing those that have been removed. You will also improve the canal's signage by upgrading the stone mile marker located near the basin.
Some of the work will take place in the bed of the canal. Although the canal is in low water during the summer season, for safety reasons, it is essential to know how to swim in order to participate in this workcamp.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Your accommodation will be located 10 minutes by bike from the Sauldre canal. You will be accommodated in individual tents at the Stade des Bruyères, near the Maison des Sports where you will have access to the sanitary facilities and showers inside the establishment as well as to a kitchen in a common room where you will also be able to take your meals and retreat in case of bad weather. With the budget allocated to the leaders’ team, you will take part in the grocery shopping and the preparation of the meals, by privileging healthy and local products. You can bring your own recipes to share them with the group.
📍 About the location
Located two hours from the south of Paris, in the heart of the woods and ponds of the Sologne, the town of Lamotte-Beuvron is a hotspot for equestrian life, home to the largest equestrian center in Europe. Historically famous for hunting, the town is surrounded by forests dotted with ponds, ideal for walks during your free time, under the coolness of the trees and in the middle of nature. You will also discover one of the desserts that made the reputation of French gastronomy: the tarte Tatin, named after the Tatin sisters who served this dish at the beginning of the 20th century at the hotel of the same name, located in front of the Lamotte-Beuvron train station. You will be close to another international workcamp taking place in Graçay during the same period, so you will have the opportunity to meet the group of participants during a inter-workcamp day organized with the leaders team: you will be able to exchange your dishes and know-how and propose games.
ℹ️ Additional information
You will work near the canal, it is recommended to know how to swim. Worksites are located on a natural site, over a distance of one kilometer. For practical and ecological reasons, bicycles will be available to the group for travel: it is therefore necessary to know how to ride a bicycle.
Remember to bring gloves, clothing and shoes suitable for outdoor work. Don't forget to bring a sleeping bag and a camping mat. Also remember to bring summer and rain gear, a swimsuit and toiletries. Please remember to bring your own health protection equipment: masks and hydro-alcoholic gel.
You can bring board games, a musical instrument or any other object you wish to share with the group.
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.
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-096
06/08/2021 → 20/08/2021
Volunteers registered
0 / 15
♂ 0/7
♀ 0/8
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
17–99 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: 21:12 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French