Travel Tips

Voluntourism Spotlight: Restore French Castles

Each Thursday we highlight an new experience from our extensive listings of volunteer travel (a.k.a voluntourism) opportunities. Check back each week for a new voluntourism spotlight and tune into Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio this weekend to hear even more about this opportunity.

If you want to preserve France’s history and architecture, then La Sabranenque, a non-profit organization created in 1969, has room left in its spring and fall volunteer programs in Provence, France. Locals as well as international volunteers work to restore ancient French castles. All participants acquire knowledge of traditional building techniques used in constructing rural architecture.

The programs has volunteers work on the restoration sites in the morning with the afternoons free. This is a great opportunity to participate in preserving an ancient piece of history, as well as exploring a picturesque village.

For over 40 years, their summer restoration sessions have been available, welcoming volunteers of all nationalities. There is space available in the May 7-13 and the May 21-26 programs that focus on cooking and wine exploration, respectively. Rates are between $900 and $750 per person and include housing and activities.

October “volunteer and hike” or “volunteer and visit” sessions run between the 1-6 and the 8-13. Rates are $710 per person and also includes housing and activities.

For more information, visit La Sabraneque’s website.

By Tara Ekmekci for Peter Greenberg.com