CHARMING AND LIVING VINEYARD | CONCF-46302-TEEN | 2026-07-08 - 2026-07-22 | CONS,MANU | Age: 15 - 17

The town of Pont-du-Chateau is seeking to bring nature into the town through sustainable management and the creation of natural spaces. Among the projects, former terraced gardens have been gradually redeveloped by international volunteers into ecological gardens. This seventeenth work camp in Pont-du-Chateau is part of this major landscaping project. It will allow you to discover its medieval village, participate in local events, and share meals with the locals, not to mention the party organized at the end of the work camp!

Work: With seventeen projects underway, the town of Pont-du-Chateau will make you feel right at home! Take part in this major project to restore the terraced gardens, which are gradually being transformed into an eco-friendly place for walking, relaxing, and discovering the landscape. This 3-hectare site features eco-grazing, terraced gardens, a small orchard, a community vineyard, and a playground and relaxation area. This year, the town of Pont-du-Chateau is inviting us to continue the work begun last year on the vineyard site, to beautify the space and build a retaining wall between the vineyard plot and the park. The program includes removing the old fence, carpentry and woodworking, and other landscaping activities in the park. Are you interested in learning construction skills and want to be part of a strong community experience? Do you enjoy working in a team? Would you like to discover a beautiful village in Auvergne? This project is for you!

Accomodation and food: You will be accompanied by two camp leaders throughout your stay. Accommodation will be provided on municipal grounds not far from the work site. You will sleep in individual tents on inflatable mattresses (provided by Concordia) on grassy terrain. The bathrooms and changing rooms will be permanent structures; with communal living and cooking facilities under a large tent reserved for your group. Wi-Fi is available on site. Laundry can be done by hand or at a laundromat in town (paid service). You will share the various tasks of communal living together. A budget will be allocated to the group and you will participate in shopping and meal preparation, with an emphasis on healthy and local products!

Location: PONTDUCHATEAU

Location and Leisure: Pont-du-Chateau is a small, dynamic town overlooking the Allier River. The town is proud of its natural surroundings, which are ideal for walking. The castle, nestled in the heart of the town, offers a remarkable view of the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area and the volcanoes of Auvergne. Full of charm, the village, with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses, and remarkable buildings, has some wonderful surprises in store for visitors. You will be welcomed by local associations offering leisure activities such as kayaking, hiking, swimming, an introduction to pétanque, and team sports. The regional capital, Clermont-Ferrand, is 15 km away and can be reached by train and bus. You can enjoy the city s vibrant atmosphere in summer.

Airport: CFE

Train/Bus station: PONT-DU-CHATEAU (63) SNCF train station

Requirements: Please fill the Parental Agreement and the Medical Fact Sheet as soon as possible (at least 3 weeks before the beginning of the workcamp). The vaccines proofs (a note from the doctor or a copy of the vaccines) is MANDATORY, see list in the Medical Fact Sheet. Unvaccinated volunteers will not be accepted. 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 them, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country.

The meeting point is at the PONT-DU-CHATEAU (63) SNCF train station in the late afternoon. The exact meeting time will be communicated at the latest with the roadmap one month before the start of the project. Several trains depart from Paris to Clermont-Ferrand (3.5-hour journey) and from Lyon to Clermont-Ferrand (2.5-hour journey). Change at Clermont-Ferrand station to take a train to Pont-du-Château (15-minute journey, Clermont-Ferrand – Thiers line). If possible, please consider using low-carbon transportation (train and bus rather than airplane) for a sustainable international workcamp. Train reservations can be made approximately 4 months before departure on the SNCF website, link below: https://www.sncf-connect.com/ The last day (22/07) is devoted to departures, usually in the morning.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 250 EUR

Remember to bring clothes and shoes for work, as well as a good sleeping bag and swimsuit. Nights can be cool, so remember to bring warm clothes. You can also bring recipes from your country/region, musical instruments, and games. Travel will be on foot and occasionally by car and minibus. More information at: https://www.pontduchateau.fr/ and https://www.clermontauvergnetourisme.com.