Rolling and cutting stones in Saint-Mihiel

CODE: ANEC07

Location: Saint-Mihiel, Grand Est, France

Context

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 drystone 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.

Mission

The mission involves restoring the walls and small stone structures of the Promenade des Capucins to return them to their original appearance and secure the pathways. For the masonry walls, volunteers will need to remove the old mortar, repair cracks and holes, and apply a new lime plaster. They will also raise the walls and install coping stones (plaster or tiles) to protect the walls in the long term. For the dry-stone walls, volunteers will dismantle and sort the stones, sometimes reshaping them, and most importantly, carefully reassemble them while ensuring their stability. The work will be done in teams, guided by a professional who will teach traditional masonry techniques Be prepared for physically demanding work. Some tasks will take place at height. During periods of intense heat, work will be limited to the mornings.

Daily life

Beyond the 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 organization!

Accomodation

Volunteers are accommodated at the Saint-Mihiel Leisure Center, located 20 minutes on foot from the Promenade des Capucins. They share the space with a local recreation center and vacationers staying in caravans or tents nearby. The areas dedicated to the project 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 centre