The heritage site

Saint-Tropez, its port, its beaches, its police station and, of course, its Citadelle!

While the Citadelle has been enthroned over the town for over 400 years, our teams of volunteers have been working for over 20 years to restore and enhance it.

A bastioned Pre-Vauban fortification, it remains one of the only monuments of its size on the Var coast. In 1583, mention is made of the first building on the hill known as "des moulins", then in 1607, the Donjon was completed, a thick hexagonal tower encircling a vast inner courtyard.

Today, it houses the Maritime History Museum, where visitors can learn about famous seafaring explorers, as well as the daily lives of the men and women who lived in the town and its port.

Planned restoration work

The pre-Vauban citadel in Saint-Tropez, whose keep and walls are listed as Historic Monuments, is a haven of peace overlooking the town and its famous bay. For more than 20 years, the commune has entrusted us with the restoration of the Citadelle's walls, structures and pathways, and this summer your site will be building a low retaining wall for the keep's glacis, in masonry stone. So, stone and lime mortar are the order of the day, with a breathtaking view of the sea before you go diving!

Work in progress:

• Dismantling the remains of the low wall
• Manual earthworks
• Construction of 30 linear metres of low wall

Technique used : traditional lime masonry

Scheduled for September, you benefit from a summer climate, without having to deal with the tourist crowds on the Côte d'Azur in July and August.

During your stay, you will be supervised by 2 guides. The technical supervisor will teach you all about traditional building techniques, while the educational supervisor will help you organize your daily life and leisure activities.

The time set aside for the work is around 32 hours a week for adults. Work on the site takes place in the mornings, starting early because of the summer heat. The afternoons, evenings and weekends are devoted to outdoor and discovery activities, providing relaxation and pleasure. Two vehicles are made available to the organizers for travel during the site.

You will take it in turns to prepare meals as a team. This way, everyone can share recipes from their own region, and take advantage of the stay to sample the countless specialities of other regions or countries. If you're already a "chef", that's perfect; if you're not... get cooking!

You'll be staying at a campsite 20 minutes' drive from Saint-Tropez, in mobile homes with two people per room. You'll use the campsite's sanitary facilities and showers.

Leisure and other activities

On all our workcamps, we want volunteers to play a real part in their stay, so we invite them to work together to propose the activities and events of their choice, in keeping with the values that the association wishes to uphold.

Some ideas for outings : Visit the seaside towns of the Côte d'Azur, but also the hinterland of the Var: the Verne monastery, the Pont de Fées in Grimaud, La Garde Freinet, a walk in the Maures massif, along the coastal path or discover the Salins d'Hyères.

Highlight during the project: The European Heritage Days are the must-attend event for history and architecture enthusiasts.

Practical info

No special skills are required to take part.

Once you have pre-registered, 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.).

You can ask us any questions you may have, and let us know what you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday September 6 from 5.30pm.

Departures will be organized on Friday morning, September 26.

• Access by train: Hyères station

(accessible by TER from Avignon or Marseille)

• Access by car : Directly to accommodation, please let us know in advance.

Last year's volunteer achievements

In 2024, the group of volunteers restored a long section of the missing low wall.