The Montgilbert Association, founded in 1974, works on the Chateau de Montgilbert, an imposing ruin of a 13th-century medieval fortress, remodeled in the 15th century.
For nearly half a century, the group has been working to crystallize the monument, to prevent it from deteriorating, to enable visitors to visit it safely, and to stage it for summer festivals.
Volunteer workcamps take place every summer to consolidate the walls, recreate archways, erect scaffolding, arrange thechafaudages, develop the surroundings and the hiking trail around the castle, or decorate the castle for the annual festival....
Last but not least, the Montgilbert association also contributes to the local dynamic through guided tours, a permanent exhibition in the village...
The association receives support for its activities, and in particular for the organization of volunteer workcamps, from the DRAC, the DRJSCS, the Conseil départemental de l'Allier, the Vichy Communauté urban community and the Fondation du Patrimoine.
The Montgilbert association is developing its heritage preservation activities as part of a popular education project open to a diverse public. This mainly involves setting up a volunteer work camp, organized in three 15-day sessions. The workcamp meets the following objectives:
A technical objective: the preservation and enhancement of the Château de Montgilbert, a building listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments.
The aim is to make the Château de Montgilbert accessible, comprehensible and open to visitors, and to pass on to future generations this part of the heritage of the Montagne Bourbonnaise.
The overall aim of the technical project is to crystallize the castle's ruins and preserve its elevations by repairing the masonry and trimming the tops of the walls. Each year, the work program is submitted for approval to the Service territorial de l'architecture et du patrimoine (STAP/ABF) and, where necessary, to the Service régional de l'archéologie (SRA). This annual work is part of an overall multi-year project.
An educational objective: learning to live and work together
The aim is to offer young people from a wide range of backgrounds the opportunity to experience an original form of community life: open to a public of very different ages and social, cultural or geographical origins, the volunteer workcamp is an opportunity for integration and social mixing.
The workcamp also aims to educate people about their heritage: discovering a historic monument, learning traditional construction and restoration techniques and know-how.
Finally, the workcamp is an opportunity for young people in particular to take part in a local community project in which they can make a long-term commitment and take on responsibilities.
A goal of sustainable local development
The Château de Montgilbert is a real resource for the Montagne Bourbonnaise region. The volunteer workcamp will help preserve this resource, ensure that it is passed on to future generations, and provide visitors with access to the site (by enhancing it and putting up information panels).
available from age 17 Restore a listed 13th-century château The heritage site Situated on a wooded hilltop in the middle of the Montagne Bourbonnaise, Château de Montgilbert is an imposing 13th-century...
available from age 17 Restore a listed 13th-century château Masonry, clearing, introduction to stone-cutting Open to adults aged 17 and over Accessible without special skills or age limit What is...
available from age 17 Restore a listed 13th-century château Masonry, clearing, introduction to stone-cutting Open to adults aged 17 and over Accessible without special skills or age limit What is...
