A PATH BY THE VINEYARD | CONCF-6302 | 2023-07-07 - 2023-07-21 | MANU,ENVI | Age: 15 - 17

Located near the natural river Allier, last wild river in Europe, Pont du Chateau is a town that wishes to bring nature into the city through sustainable management of natural areas. Former terraced gardens have been gradually redeveloped and managed as ecological gardens by international volunteers. New works are planned, with the aim of enhancing the vineyard managed collectively with the creation of a barrel, the development of the southern terrace offering a beautiful view over the whole valley and the creation of a green theatre. This fourteenth workcamp in Pont-du-Chateau is part of this major landscaping project. It will let you discover its medieval town. Local celebrations, meals with the inhabitants and the discovery of the region will be on your schedule, as well as the party organized at the end of the workcamp!

Work: For thirteen years now, every summer, international volunteers have been restoring Pont-du-Chateau stone terraced gardens. The aim of the site is to become an ecological place for walking, relaxing and discovering the landscape. You too can participate in this project! On this 3-hectare site, there is an eco-pasture, terraced gardens, a small orchard, an associative vineyard and a play and relaxation area. This year, the municipality has asked us to work on the small vineyard. Our objective will be to develop the path that crosses the vineyard to make the connection between the town center and the river Allier below. Various tasks await you: moving a fence, removing vegetation from the top of the field, widening the path, creating wooden steps... You ll spend about 30 hours a week on this site. You will alongside a technical leader, who will accompany you and teach you how to use manual tools in complete safety. The work will take place in an area rich in natural resources, not far from Allier River.

Accomodation and food: You will be accompanied by two camp leaders throughout your stay. You will be accommodated on municipal site located near from the workcamp. You will sleep in individual tents set up in the grass. Changing rooms and sanitary facilities are in the municipal center, collective life and kitchen under a large marquee reserved for your group. Wifi available on the site. Hand washing of laundry or in a laundromat in town (fee-based service). The group will be sharing the different tasks of collective life together. The budget will be allocated to the group and you will participate in the preparation of dishes using healthy products from the market and local producers.

Location: PONTDUCHATEAU

Location and Leisure: Pont-du-Chateau is a lively little town which overlooks the river Allier. The town is proud of its natural surroundings and the area is great for walking. The castle is in the heart of the town and offers a remarkable view over the agglomeration of Clermont-Ferrand city and the Auvergne volcanoes. This charming market town, full of tiny alleyways, timber-framed houses and remarkable buildings is awaiting its visitors with wonderful surprises. You will be welcomed by local organizations who will offer you activities to do during your leisure time: for example, kayaking, hiking, swimming, learning how to play the popular ball game called “petanque”, team sport, etc. Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of the region, is only 15km away and can be reached by train or by bus. You will be able to enjoy the town s summery energy. For more information have a look at: https://www.pontduchateau.fr/ and https://www.clermontauvergnetourisme.com

Airport: LYS

Train/Bus station: PONT-DU-CHATEAU train station

Requirements: 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.

The meeting point is at PONT-DU-CHATEAU train station the 7th of July at the end of the afternoon. The exact time of the meeting will be communicated with the Info Sheet, sent one month before the beginning of the workcamp. - From Paris, you can take a train from PARIS - Bercy train station (regular departures are scheduled throughout the day, about every two hour) to CLERMONT-FERRAND, then take a train to PONT-DU-CHATEAU (CLERMONT-FERRAND – THIERS line). - From Lyon, you can take a train from LYON - Part-Dieu train station (regular departures are scheduled throughout the day) to CLERMONT-FERRAND, then take a train to PONT-DU-CHATEAU (CLERMONT-FERRAND - THIERS line). If you are coming first by plane, remember that you will need some time to commute from the airport to the train station, therefore we recommend that you arrive early enough for you not to rush and have a stress free travel. Please consider using low-carbon transportation (train or bus, rather than airplane) for a sustainable international workcamp. The trains are open to booking about 4 months before the departure dates, accessible on the following website: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 200 EUR

Please bring good shoes for work, working clothes, your swimsuit and a sleeping bag. You can also bring recipes from your home country/region, musical instruments and games. You will get around Pont-du-Chateau on foot and by car or minibus sometimes.