The project
The village of Freissinieres is home to an old mill dating back to the XVIII century. As work on the site began last year, you will have the opportunity to complete the building by restoring the four surrounding walls. Regular work on scaffolding, using traditional construction techniques. You will, of course, be assisted by professionals.
But the project doesn't stop there! You will also be responsible for retracing the history of the Viollins mill through an artistic project that you will carry out in collaboration with the village residents.
Accommodation & food
You will stay in a dedicated area in the heart of the forest where individual tents will be pitched (and provided).
Meals will be prepared outdoors. The group will have to build a clay oven for bread, and cooking will be done over a campfire.
To keep food cool, a bucket in the river will serve as a refrigerator. You will share various collective tasks and prepare meals together. A budget will be allocated to the facilitators, and you will participate in shopping and meal preparation, with priority on healthy, local products. A recipe booklet will be provided to encourage responsible purchasing and sustainable eating.
Location & leisure
The municipality and valley of Freissinieres are located in the Hautes-Alpes (05) at the gateway to the Ecrins National Park, in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region. The Viollins mill construction site is located downstream from the town in the direction of Freissinieres. It is situated on the banks of the Biaysse torrent.
In winter as in summer, this sheltered valley offers a wide variety of activities: exploring the region and its specialties, hiking, outdoor sports, meeting locals and engaging in intercultural exchanges, and more.
Project host
This project is hosted by Concordia France, a long‑established, non‑profit youth and education organisation founded in 1950 to promote peace, intercultural exchange and active citizenship through international volunteering.
Concordia runs short‑, mid‑ and long‑term volunteer projects across France, working closely with local communities to support environmental initiatives, cultural heritage restoration, social inclusion, and community development. Their approach is rooted in non‑formal education, bringing together volunteers from around the world to learn through collective living, shared responsibility and meaningful community action.
With a national headquarters in Paris and 11 regional offices, Concordia hosts hundreds of international volunteers every year and is an active member of both the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations and CCIVS (under UNESCO).
This project is being carried out in collaboration with the Freissinieres municipality and the Ecrins National Park. The municipality wishes to restore the Viollins mill, a building that is part of the municipality's rural heritage and could also become a shelter for walkers.
The municipality will be responsible for installing the kitchen area, purchasing materials and equipment, preparing the site, applying for building permits, and storing the materials needed to build the framework.
Interested?
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