The silver mine of the mercantour parc

CODE: SJ62

Work:

Together we will continue to expand the mine tour route. The aim of this project is to highlight the discharge chimney, which allowed the dumping of fill into the wagons, at the time when the mine was still exploited (from the medieval period until the 20th century). To do this, there will first be the removal of backfill at the top of the chimney which will be followed by the construction of a dry stone wall to support the vaults. Secondly, we will build a small stone staircase. There will be 4 working days per week, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This work does not require any particular skills and will be supervised by a technical supervisor.

Accomodation and food

The accommodation is located on the construction site. You will be accommodated in dormitory rooms with 4 to 6 beds equipped with mattresses, pillows and bathroom facilities. Please bring your sleeping bag. You will participate in the collective and daily life of the group and the place. Food is provided in the budget, and meals will be prepared by you in turn, accompanied by the group life facilitator and in a kitchen with all the necessary equipment. You will participate in cleaning dishes and tidying up dining areas and the kitchen. Specific foods may be requested in order to cook typical dishes from each country or region. It is also possible to request vegetarian meals.

Location and leisure

The hamlet of the Vallauria mine is located at an altitude of 1500 metres. The site is in the middle of the mountains, crossed by the river. We are 10 km from the village of Tende 06430 (2 hours from Nice by train) and 50 km from Ventimiglia (Italy).

In addition to the weekend, one day in the middle of each week will be devoted to discovery and entertainment activities. You will discover the mountain environment, with its fauna and flora and the surrounding hikes (hiking on the archaeological site of the Vallée des Merveilles in the Mercantour National Park). You will have the opportunity to discover the historical and cultural heritage of the region, visit the surrounding villages and meet the inhabitants of the valley. You can also do sporting and thrilling activities such as canyoning, via ferrata, climbing, etc. We will organize activities and entertainment on site according to the wishes of each person in the group.

Project hosted by

The Neige & Merveilles association welcomes you to the heart of the Mercantour National Park at an altitude of 1,500 m to work in the Vallauria mine, which is part of the archaeological, historical and scientific heritage of the Alpes Maritimes. This silver lead and zinc mine justifies the mining archeology studies and the conservation and development work that we have been carrying out with the municipality of Tende for around ten years. Its medieval part represents an exceptional geological heritage, inseparable from that represented by the Mercantour park and the archaeological riches of the mythical Vallée des Merveilles, a soon to be classified UNESCO site, located a two-hour walk away.

Directions to meeting point

The meeting point is TENDE station (06430) at around 5 p.m. on Sunday. From Nice-Côte d'Azur airport, a tram will take you to the Nice-Ville SNCF train station where a bus will take you directly to Tende. It takes 3 hours by bus. We will welcome you in front of the station. The departure time will be on Saturday morning.

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