SAINT-PAL-DE-MONS - A chapel in the heart of the valley
France
Renovation
Renovation
Fixed dates
About the project
SAINT-PAL-DE-MONS - A chapel in the heart of the valley
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Imagine yourself restoring a little chapel from the 11th century, nestled at the top of a hill in a wild valley, far away from any roads or civilisation... Saint-Pal-de-Mons is a charming little town and the gateway to the Velay, a region of extinct volcanoes interspersed with valleys. For several years, the town council has been running a project to maintain and showcase local heritage for visitors. You will follow in the footsteps of previous international volunteers who have come from all around the world for four consecutive summers to participate to this project. This year, you will work on the site of a small, isolated Roman chapel in a very beautiful valley that can only be accessed by foot. The local population and young people will be a great help to the workcamp and time will be spent getting to know each other during local celebrations, leisure activities and when exploring this region that is rich in natural heritage.
💼 What the programme involves
Your mission will be to reconstruct the roof of the chapel. You will work alongside a technician specialised in traditional building methods in order to mend cracks on the roof's exterior and strengthen the building work level with the gable. You will be accompanied by a specialised company in order to transport materials on foot up to the work site, put up the framework and cover the chapel roof. It may be possible to develop the chapel in other ways. In this way, you will learn traditional building techniques, how to construct a roof and how to enhance heritage sites.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will sleep in two-person tents in two possible places: on a field located in the grounds of the village primary school with use of a building lent by the council for social purposes (fully-equipped kitchen, dishwasher, large dining room) or at the site of the chapel, camping independently. When the weather is good you will eat your meals outside. 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 good products from the market and local producers.
📍 About the location
Saint-Pal-de-Mons (2,000 inhabitants) is located in the Haute-Loire district of Auvergne, 60km North of Puy-en-Velay and 30km from Saint-Etienne. It is a very beautiful region of medium-sized mountains (800 metres above sea level) with a very natural landscape made up of beautiful valleys. You will have the opportunity to take part in outdoor leisure activities (Hiking, picnics and swimming in the river and Lavalette lake, rail-biking or even a high ropes course), sharing football matches and a barbecue with the local team, and visiting towns such as Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Etienne. You will be able to attend different shows throughout your stay. For more information have a look at: http://www.ot-lepuyenvelay.fr/
⚠️ Requirements
Work will take place high up on scaffolding. The work site is relatively isolated. It will better suit people who like the great outdoors and walking. Bring work clothes, walking boots and a swimsuit. Nights can be chilly, so bring warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. You can also bring recipes from your home country, musical instruments and games. You will get around Saint-Pal-de-Mons on foot and by car. 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:
Bas-Monistrol train station, in the Le Puy en Velay to Saint-Etienne railway line.
Closest airport:
Saint-Etienne, Lyon or Paris
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
CONCF-041
03/08/2016 → 24/08/2016
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
43620 Saint-Pal-de-Mons, France
France
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French