📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Do you want to participate in the protection of a historic site in the heart of idyllic mountain landscapes? Join us and come discover the castle of Lesdiguières and its natural setting at an altitude of 1140 meters!
The Duke of Lesdiguières, the last Constable of France, is a military figure known for his participation in the Wars of Religion and for his involvement in the construction and development of roads, bridges and dikes against flooding in the region. He had this castle built between 1571 and 1580, which was abandoned after his death. It was looted during the French Revolution. The castle is listed in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments in 1978. In 2000, the "Château de Lesdiguières" association was created with the aim of safeguarding the historical, architectural and cultural memory of the building. Since 2010, the various works that we have been organizing on this site are aimed at securing and reinforcing the existing walls, but also at enhancing its value.
💼 What the programme involves
Do you want to learn ancient masonry techniques and to register your action in accordance with the objective 12 of sustainable development (UN) in favor of sustainable consumption and production? How to use ancient and ecological materials?
Since 2018, we have been working on the reinforcement of the masonry of an escarpment wall (defense wall). With time and bad weather, this wall has suffered some damage and its stones are coming loose. With the help of the technical supervisor, we will work with old techniques and materials (such as lime). At certain times, we will work at height, using scaffolding. We will work around 30 hours per week.
🏠 Accommodation on site
In tents at the "La Pra" campsite in Saint Firmin, located at the entrance to the Valgaudemar valley. On the campsite, we will spend a quiet stay in a mountainous and exceptional green setting. We will have access to facilities such as toilets, barbecue, petanque ground, WIFI. We will set up a large kitchen tent in order to prepare our meals (vegetarian, vegan and other specific diets possible). The preparation of the meals is done in turn, so that we can taste several specialties! Here, we pay attention to what we eat, to reduce our impact on the planet, we try to eat a maximum of local products and we eat meat twice a week. Collective life is organized together: organization of menus, shopping, activities, etc. The lunch will be cold as it will be taken to the construction site. Bring a mattress, a good sleeping bag (the nights can be cool) and a pillow (to be adapted to your needs).
📍 About the location
The workcamp is located in the village of Glaizil and the campsite in the village of St Firmin (about 20 min by car). In the village of Saint Firmin there are some small shops and we are about 15 km from Saint Bonnet en Champsaur and 30 km from Gap. Once or twice a week, we organize our vehicles with some shopping outings!
In the heart of the Ecrins National Park, between the Valgaudemar, Champsaur and Dévoluy valleys. Your eyes will never cease to be amazed by this exceptional environment! We can discover the pleasures of hiking in the mountains, its rivers and lakes, farmers' and producers' markets, and festive evenings organized in the surrounding villages (depending on the programme). As a group, we will decide which activities and discovery outings we wish to organize (subject to distance).
ℹ️ Additional information
This project is a volunteering team supported by the European Solidarity Corps. You will receive pocket money (6€ per day) and a travel reimbursement with an upper limit based on the ESC distance calculator.