A WORK OF MEMORY

CODE: SJ/ESC53

Work:

You will take part in detailed and delicate restoration work on the town’s war memorials, which are strong symbols of local heritage. Supervised by the Citrus team and a specialist, you will carry out several restoration steps:

• Cleaning the steles and gravestones on which names, dates, epitaphs, symbols, and motifs are engraved.
• Polishing the stone to restore its original appearance.
• Repainting the inscriptions and decorative elements that have faded over time (known as "re-gilding" or "re-lettering").
• Working on the statues of the monuments: cleaning, delicate retouching, and fine painting under the guidance of a professional.

These activities will require precision, patience, and teamwork, while allowing you to discover gentle restoration techniques and contribute to a meaningful project. As on all Citrus workcamps, community life is an essential part of the experience: preparing meals, maintaining shared spaces, and daily group organization will shape everyday life. This workcamp will be an opportunity for rich encounters, exchanges, and concrete engagement in the service of collective memory.

Accomodation and food

You will stay at the Gîte Laudinie, located in La Fouillade, close to the worksite, in mixed dormitory rooms. Bedding is provided (mattresses and pillows); please bring your sleeping bag and towels. As on all Citrus workcamps, you will take part daily in maintaining the place and preparing meals. Choices will be made collectively to ensure a balanced diet based on your tastes, dietary needs, and seasonal local products. Please note that you will not eat meat every day—about two meat-based meals per week are planned.

Location and leisure

Location: La Fouillade is a village located in the Aveyron region, in a green and hilly area near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, between Rodez and Albi, and about 1.5 hours from Toulouse.

Leisure activities: Afternoons will be dedicated to discovering the region and relaxing. You will be able to go hiking, explore nearby villages, visit historical sites, and enjoy the typical landscapes of Aveyron. With the support of the staff team, you will also be involved in proposing and organizing activities: debates, group games, karaoke nights, quizzes, music moments, or discussions about topics that matter to you. A highlight of the workcamp will be the famous international meal, where you will prepare typical dishes from your country or region—a great way to share cultures and experiences.

Project hosted by

Are you between 18 and 30 years old and looking to take part in a useful, concrete, and meaningful project? Then join Citrus in the village of La Fouillade to help restore the local war memorials.

Over time, some letters have faded, stones have deteriorated, and details have lost their shine. Your mission will be to bring them back to life in order to revive the memory of former soldiers and their families living in the area. These monuments will be inaugurated during the November 11th ceremony, which commemorates the Armistice of 1918. By taking part in this workcamp, you will also discover Citrus’s values and its way of working as a popular education association promoting togetherness, sharing, and diversity. Guided by our staff team, you will live a collective experience in the heart of La Fouillade, sharing everyday life with other volunteers from different backgrounds.

Directions to meeting point

We will pick you up at Laguépie train station from 2:00 PM onwards. You can easily take a train from Toulouse-Matabiau station to Laguépie (about 1 hour and 10 minutes).

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