Rolling and cutting stones in Saint-Mihiel

CODE: ANEC08

Location: Saint-Mihiel, Grand Est, France

About the project:

Saint-Mihiel, located in the Meuse Valley, offers a perfect blend of heritage and nature. Since 2019, we have been organizing a project in the Renaissance-period old town, with its charming streets and abbey, to restore the damages from the World Wars. The region, ideal for nature lovers, boasts stunning panoramas and plenty of cultural and festive events. It's the perfect place to recharge and explore the local history!

The town of Saint-Mihiel organises volunteering workcamps to restore dry-stone walls and small stone structures that were rebuilt too quickly and unsustainably after the World Wars. They add to the town's charm and serve as important refuges for biodiversity, providing homes for insects and birds. Today, the entire area is recognised as a natural zone of ecological interest, and its protection is ensured by the state.

Work description:

Come take part in the restoration of the walls at the Promenade des Capucins and become an active participant in preserving a historic site! You will learn traditional masonry techniques, handle stone, work with lime, and help bring the site back to life. Supervised by a professional, you will discover the secrets of dry-stone and masonry walls. You will work as part of a team in a friendly and stimulating environment. You will also have the opportunity to observe the different stages of restoration and understand how a heritage project is carried out. During periods of strong heat, work will be limited to mornings so you can fully enjoy the afternoons. This experience will allow you to develop your skills, share a unique moment, and leave your mark on a place full of history.

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

Volunteers are accommodated in dorms at the Leisure Center, located 20 minutes on foot from the worksite. They share the space with a local recreation center and vacationers staying in caravans or tents nearby. The areas dedicated to the volunteers are privatised for their use.

What you will find on site:

Non-mixed dorms of 4-6 bunk beds
Mattress without bed sheets or pillow
2 private toilets
2 private showers + access to the non-mixed showers of the recreation centre
A washing machine
A professional inside kitchen accessible 24/7, shared with the recreation centre (with private fridges and cooking equipments)
An outdoor dining/living area, with the option to take shelter in case of rain.
A room can be transformed into a relaxation/game space for the volunteers.
Free Wi-Fi on the recreation centrei

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