Rolling and Cutting Stones in Saint-Mihiel 2!

CODE: ANEC12

Description of the partner organizing/hosting the project:

Head for the town of Saint-Mihiel, which for several years has welcomed volunteers from all walks of life to restore its built and natural heritage!
The city has two exceptional sites: The site of the Rocks, at the exit of the city, where seven massive rocks also called the "Ladies of Meuse" are enthroned, and then the Promenade des Capucins, composed of multiple terraced gardens, between which several paths and stairs meander.
At Les Roches, as at Les Capucins, many walls and low walls, sometimes in whitewash and sometimes in dry stone, add to the charm of the town. Since 2019, volunteers have been working on their restoration every year.

By participating in this workcamp, you are interested about life on land (SDG15), sustainable cities and communities (SDG11) and decent wor and economic growth (SDG8).

Work:

This year, go to the terraced gardens of the Capuchins, to complete the work started in 2021!
Objective: complete the restoration of the walls with two ancestral and environmentally friendly techniques: lime masonry and dry stone, for the greatest pleasure of tourists and locals!
On the masonry walls, you will participate in various tasks: repointing the stones with a lime plaster, raising the wall to its original height, laying tiles, etc. On the dry-stone walls, you will learn to sort the stones according to their uses, to cut them and to arrange them to give a new youth to the wall.
You will have the chance to be accompanied by a professional wall builder: The opportunity to discover (or perfect) the techniques of masonry and dry stone!

Accomodation and food

Along with the other volunteers, you will be accommodated permanently, at the Saint-Mihiel youth hostel, a stone's throw from the work site. You will have rooms for 3 or 4 people equipped with beds and mattresses, with bathrooms, a large kitchen and a relaxation area. Volunteers from previous projects are unanimous: the accommodation in Saint-Mihiel is very comfortable! In addition, the setting is bucolic, because the place of accommodation is close to a river.
The volunteers, who will be actors and actresses of their stay, will each participate in the daily tasks (shopping, cooking, storage and cleaning ...), the organization of the rotation will be done with the animation team, which is there to ensure the smooth running. The objective is to gain autonomy and that everyone acts individually to allow a good collective functioning.
All together, you will think about how to work, eat, have fun, get around, visit the region in the most respectful way for the environment and for each other.

Location and leisure

The region is rich in history, landscapes and culture, that's why you have to come and discover it!
The small town of Saint-Mihiel is located in the valley of the Meuse, the river which crosses the town. It is a "Small city of character", a label that the city owes to its remarkable architectural and historical heritage.
Close to memorial sites and in particular to Verdun, Saint-Mihiel is also conducive to the discovery of vestiges and the history of the First World War.
In the heart of a rural and green region, the location is ideal for discovering numerous hiking trails and outdoor activities. Right next to Saint-Mihiel, a National Center for Contemporary Art allows you to discover many works of art in the middle of the forest! And then in summer, many shows and festive evenings are organized in the region. Your facilitators and our partners will be happy to take you on a discovery of this exceptional heritage!

Short remarks for the project:

Wi-Fi is available on the accommodation site.

Unfortunately, the construction site is not wheelchair accessible.

Directions to meeting point

Nearest airport: Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport

Nearest train station: Saint-Mihiel Train station

Meeting Point and Time: Saint-Mihiel Train station on 08/07/24, from 5 p.m.