Come and restore Montagu Castle from October 19 to November 1, 2025!
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Site presentation
Château de Marcoussis was built in the early 15th century by Jean de Montagu, superintendent of finance for Charles VI. Rich in history, the château was demolished in the early 19th century by its new owner. All that remains today are the ramparts, which have been levelled, a tower and a chapel.
The château is part of the property of the Fondation des Apprentis d'Auteuil, which takes in young people preparing for careers in horticulture, landscaping and personal services.
The Marcoussis Historical Association was set up in 1990 with the aim of protecting and restoring the château, and transforming it into a place for training and discovering medieval architecture. Workcamps have been organized since 1998 in conjunction with the REMPART Ile de France group.
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The heritage site: a discovery ground
To take part in a workcamp is to want to act, learn and enrich one's knowledge. It's also another way of enjoying a vacation through new experiences. As a place for exchanging ideas and meeting people, the workcamp gives you the chance to get involved in an associative project, to learn restoration techniques and to experience this commitment and its moments of relaxation as part of a group.
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Taking action to protect our heritage
For 50 years now, the REMPART union has been working to protect and restore built and natural heritage. Taking part in a volunteer workcamp means giving part of your time to a restoration project. Without the help of many volunteers, hundreds of sites would fall into oblivion.
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Project history
The Association Historique de Marcoussis manages and maintains Château de Montagu under an agreement with the owner, Les Apprentis d'Auteuil.
Initial work has cleared the site of unwanted stones and vegetation.
Volunteers are currently restoring the counterscarps.
The Henri IV tower has just been restored by specialist companies, thanks to the support of the public authorities, local communities, the Mission Patrimoine, the Fondation du Patrimoine and numerous patrons.
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Planned work
Work scheduled for 2025 will involve partial consolidation of the counterscarps (masonry) and cleaning work (cleaning the ramparts, clearing stones, etc.).
During your stay, you'll also benefit from an introduction to stone-cutting.
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Community life
Three supervisors will be on hand to supervise you at all times. If you've never done this type of work before, don't worry, the supervisors will be on hand to introduce you.
Meals are prepared by the group. Every day, two volunteers are in charge of menus and their preparation, as well as stewardship (purchasing, cleaning, washing-up, etc.).
The workcamp will include rest days on Wednesdays and Sundays . It is planned to work schedules adapted to the activities, including Saturdays to enable regular volunteers from the association to join you. The organizers will draw up the program at the beginning of the stay, not forgetting to include time for relaxation and leisure.
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Leisure
Group outings in the region will be organized during rest periods. Sports and cultural activities will be organized outside work periods. You will be the organizers of these moments of relaxation, so that the workcamp becomes your workcamp. The organizers and volunteers will be there to help you. (Individual travel to Paris is difficult due to lack of transport).
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Hosting
Accommodation is in single rooms provided by Apprentis d'Auteuil. Sheets and blankets will be provided for 15 days. A living area, kitchenette and sanitary facilities will be at your disposal.
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Registrations
Registration fee: €50 + Accommodation fee: €130
After pre-registration, please contact us by phone or e-mail.
The telephone call will enable us to get to know you better and give you more details about the site (organization, arrival arrangements, etc.).
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Roadmap
