📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Centre International Construction et Patrimoine (C.I.C.P) is an association working for the preservation and the valorization of the heritage, especially architectural heritage, in the city of Viviers and its surroundings. For the past five years, the association in cooperation with the municipality has hosted every year an international youth workcamp to contribute to the restoration of a part of the Knights’ House (Maison des Chevaliers) called South Wing (Aile Sud). The Knights’ House is the former home of Noel Albert, a salt merchant, art lover and powerful man, he was a figurehead of the Viviers Renaissance. Located in the city’s old town, this monument is now coming through numerous restoration and preservation works.
Architectural heritage lovers, Viviers is waiting for you!
💼 What the programme involves
The work on the South Wing of the Knights’ House is part of the first step of a major heritage rehabilitation project, the culmination of which is the development of a lodging for cyclists, which would allow the preservation and enhancement of the monument in the long run. Various restoration works are planned, including stonecraft, masonry and arranging. The work will be similar to the 2020 workcamp: pruning of the metal copings on different floors, installation of the metal copings (2nd and 3rd floor), restoration of the rooftop guardrail.
On the other hand, you will carry out devegetation works in a typical old town street, the Roche street (rue de la Roche). Finally, you will participate in the reorganization of the exhibition spaces located in the association’s premise. In this work, you will be supervised by a professional stonecutter, a mason specialized in old building restoration and the CICP volunteers. They will pass on their know-how to you with pedagogy and enthusiasm. Young locals from the youth service and the educational house will come and work alongside you. You will work 4 to 5 hours a day, in the morning.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accommodated at the Maison Villard, located outside the ramparts and close to shops. You will have a kitchen, a bathroom, a terrace and three sleeping areas (mattresses on the floor). Meals will be prepared collectively and you will be required to participate in the daily tasks (cooking, washing-up, cleaning). Your accommodation is located outside the ramparts 10 minutes walk from the workplace.
📍 About the location
Located in the south of the Ardèche county, Viviers is an ancient episcopal city overlooking the Rhone Valley. Over the centuries, the city of Viviers has developed around the old town, outside the fortifications and now has 3,700 inhabitants. You will have the opportunity to meet many local people: breakfast on site offered by the ACTHI’V association, meals in locals’ homes, Republican meal (Bastille Day on July 14), iniroduction to archery by the Roqueplane Archers association and participation in various cultural events (concert, exhibitions, etc.). Visits to Viviers old town, the Lafarge cement factory and its former company town will be proposed. You will also have free access to the Viviers swimming pool. Finally, you may wish to hike to enjoy the city surroundings.
ℹ️ Additional information
Chantier ouvert aux français à partir de 17 ans
