In the footsteps of the Duke of Lesdiguières

CODE: SJ/ESC22

Work:

You will consolidate the masonry of a stone parapet wall in the castle ruins. Additionally, you will participate in the creation of a patina to visually unify the wall portions completed during previous work campaigns. A local craftswoman will guide you in the choice of stones to use, their positioning, and the production and use of mortar. Some activities involve working on scaffolding. Each day, two members of the group will take turns preparing the team's meals; the menu will be defined in advance. You will work on the site during the mornings from Monday to Friday. The work concerns masonry, tool, and meal preparation, as well as the organization and implementation of collective life.

Accomodation and food

Here, we pay attention to our diet to reduce our environmental impact: we eat local food as much as possible and reduce our meat consumption to twice a week. Daily life is organized collectively: organizing menus (vegetarian, vegan diets, etc.), shopping, activities, etc. We organize shopping trips once or twice a week with the vehicles provided on site.

Location and leisure

The workcamp is located a few kilometres from the accommodation site, which you can reach on foot or by shuttle.

Leisure: In the heart of the Ecrins National Park, between the Valgaudemar, Champsaur, and Dévoluy valleys, you can fully enjoy this exceptional mountain environment! You can discover the pleasures of mountain hiking, rivers, lakes, farmers' and producers' markets, and festive evenings organized in surrounding villages (depending on the schedule). Discovering this place with the group of international volunteers will enrich your experience. Indeed, you will play a key role in organizing your time with the support of the leadership team. Workshops and reflections on the theme of well-being will be offered during the afternoons.

Project hosted by

For 14 years, volunteers from all over the world have been committed to preserving the remains of the Duke of Lesdiguières' castle. Will you be the next to join the adventure? Located in an idyllic setting in the high southern Alpine mountains, this 16th-century castle has been listed in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments since 1978. In 2000, a local association was created to safeguard the historical, architectural, and cultural memory of the building. The Duke of Lesdiguières, the illustrious patron of the work, was the last Constable of France. This military figure is known for his participation in the Wars of Religion, as well as for his commitment to the construction and development of roads, bridges, and dikes against flooding in France. He had this castle built between 1571 and 1580, but it was abandoned after his death and looted during the French Revolution. The work we organize on this site aims to highlight its history by consolidating the ruins of this precious architectural work, while enriching it through the intercultural encounters typical of international workcamps.

Directions to meeting point

We will take you by shuttle to the campsite from the Gap train station. Meeting point on July 8th, 2026, from 3 pm onwards.

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