On the ruins of the castle of Gui le Rouge (2)

CODE: ANEC06

Location: Rochefort-en-Yvelines, Ile-de-France, France

About the project:

Welcome to Rochefort-en-Yvelines, a charming medieval village just 30 minutes from Paris! For the past five years, it has hosted international volunteer workcamps in a preserved rural setting. Around the area, there are many natural and cultural sites to discover: the medieval castle of Dourdan, the Elsa Triolet-Aragon house, the Rambouillet forest, the Vaux de Cernay Abbey, and of course, the city of Paris!

The Rochefort-en-Yvelines castle, known as  "Château Gui Le Rouge", has been listed as a

historic monument since 1931. This fascinating site was a strategic fortress at the crossroads of trade routes. For the past four years, volunteers from around the world have been bringing this place back to life by clearing the ruins and opening new access paths. Thanks to them, the village and its 12th-century church have regained an unforgettable view.

Work description:

Last year, several promising historical elements were already uncovered during volunteer vegetation-clearing workcamps, which made it possible to reveal the ruins of Gui Le Rouge Castle. The study of former excavations and the site's geophysical surveys have since brought new information to light.

You will take part in the first archaeological excavations and contribute to advancing the

research. Supervised by a passionate professional, you will join the team to explore the castle and uncover traces of the past hidden beneath modern rubble. Little by little, the castle will reveal its secrets... and you will be part of this collective discovery. An immersive experience that will be the first stage of an archaeological assessment prior to possible professional excavations. No skills required: just your motivation and your desire to live a unique human and scientific adventure!

Group life: Beyond working hours, volunteers come together to organise daily life on the camp. Often divided into teams, they plan menus, help with the shopping, prepare meals, and ensure the cleanliness of shared spaces. Fully involved in shaping your experience, you will also take part in
decision-making regarding group activities and daily organisation!
In order to reduce the environmental impact of our projects, we prioritise vegetarian menus,
which meet all the nutrional needs of participants.
There will be French volunteers on the workcamp. Some of them might not speak English. This
can be an opportunity for everyone to develop new language skills and innovatove ways of
communicating!

Accomodation

You will be accommodated at the village hall, within a small leisure area, located about ten minutes on foot from the worksite. You can enjoy an outdoor space with a barbecue and sports

fields (volleyball, basketball, football). You can sleep either inside the hall or in individual tents.

What you will find on site:

Individual tents or an improvised shared dormitory in the multi-purpose hall Backup option: multi-purpose hall

Toilets in the multi-purpose hall

Hand washing for laundry

Two individual shower cabins installed outside for the occasion: hot water

Professional indoor kitchen

Dining/living space and indoor relaxation area

Wi-Fi

A day on the workcamp
The day's schedule may vary depending on the camp leaders, the group, and the weather. Volunteers play an active role in their workcamp and can adjust the schedule, in coordination with the team. Keep in mind that every workcamp is different, and each experience is unique. Stay flexible and proactive!
In general, volunteers spend around 30 hours per week working, and have two days off dedicated to cultural outings, on-site activities, and free time. Here's what a typical day look like:

8am-12h30pm: Work
10:30am-12:30pm: Meal preparation
12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm-2pm: Clean up
2pm-3:30pm: Work
3:30pm-6pm: on-site activities/free time
6pm-7:30pm: Free time
6pm-7:30pm: Meal preparation
9pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9:30pm-10:30pm: Evening activities