WASH HOUSE FOR THIS!
France
Teenagers
Renovation
Teenagers
Renovation
Fixed dates
About the project
WASH HOUSE FOR THIS!
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The commune of Gracay has been hosting international workcamps for many years. Before tackling the renovation of the fountains and wash house with the municipality, the volunteers welcomed in the Concordia workcamps took part in the renovation of the town's rampart walls ten years ago. Today, this workcamp is part of a renovation project of fountains and wash houses of the municipality over several years, witnesses of the history and the wealth of know-how of the builders of the region.
Throughout the workcamp, your work will be documented by the local photography association: The Lumiere group. You will also have the opportunity to present your achievements to the neighbours and the inhabitants who will surely visit you on the work site.
💼 What the programme involves
After a first year of work, you will take part in the second phase of the renovation of the Mail wash house fountain in Gracay, in order to allow its re-watering. Located in the heart of Berry in a green setting, the work is taking place in a village whose inhabitants have been hosting restoration international workcamps of the local heritage for many years. Built on two levels, the first basin of the fountain was renovated last summer: the walls and accesses are in new condition. Your first job will be to consolidate the flat stone pavement of the first basin with lime joints, before tackling the masonry of the second basin, which was cleaned during the winter and badly damaged, using traditional techniques.
The realization of the construction site will allow the municipality to launch with the inhabitants a work of cleaning of the ditches downstream from the fountain, in order to allow again the drainage of water and the resurgence of ecosystems today weakened.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accommodated in individual tents at the village campsite. You will have access to a bathhouse containing separate sanitary facilities and showers for men and women at the campsite, dedicated solely to the use of the group during your stay. This permanent building will be used as a fall-back space in case of bad weather. The marquee of the campsite will be at your disposal to prepare and have meals, thanks to the installation of an equipped kitchen area. With the budget allocated to the leaders’ team, you will take part in the 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. You will have the opportunity to collect fruits and vegetables from local producers and from the market. A washing machine or a laundromat will be available during the stay (please take 2 weeks of clothes if possible). Possibility of accessing the Wi-Fi at the Grands Moulins building or sharing the hotspot with the French volunteers and the leaders’ team.
📍 About the location
Located 2 hours by train from Paris, the commune of Gracay is an island of nature in the heart of the Berry countryside. Point of convergence of the surrounding waterways, you will discover the marsh of Fouzon with its rich biodiversity, a place of freshness and relaxation during the heat of summer. The inhabitants will take you to discover the unusual places of the region: the former great mills, the twisted bell tower of Saint-Outrille, the ochre stone of Saint-Georges-sur-la-Pree, the unique collection of the photo museum... The numerous hiking trails nearby will allow you to take a deep breath surrounded by nature. You will also have access to the aquatic centre located in front of the campsite to refresh yourself after your days on the work site.
ℹ️ Additional information
The workcamp takes place in a rural environment. For practical and ecological reasons, travel between the place of accommodation and the work site will be on foot. Remember to bring gloves, clothes and shoes suitable for outdoor work. Don't forget to bring a sleeping bag and a floor mat to sleep on, as well as summer and rain gear, a swim suit and toiletries.
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 arise 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📅 Available sessions
CONCF-092
08/07/2022 → 29/07/2022
Volunteers registered
0 / 15
♂ 0/8
♀ 0/7
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
15–17 years old
Solidarity donation
200.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
18310 Graçay, France
France
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 21:16 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French