FAQ for Volunteers
What is the work cycle of the edifice?
From 1st May until 1st of November we do mostly masonry (mixing mortar) and some carving, moving stones and from November thorough April we do non-masonry work like cleaning and upgrading the construction site, collecting stones and some carpentry.
What are the travel methods to get to the association?
The nearest train station is in Nevers. Train tickets can be bought on Oui SNCF. From Nevers there is a bus (LR501) to Château Chinon. The bus ticket price is 1.50 euros and takes about 1.5 hours. Check the bus schedule on this page. Pay attention to the bus destination and ask the driver for the final station. Not all LR501 busses arrive at Château Chinon. Once you are on the bus, please text Sam RUSSELL (+33 6 95 46 92 83) so that he knows when to meet you at the bus stop. Château Chinon bus stop is the last stop and it is about 14km from the Opus Gothique worksite.
Exit the Nevers train station and turn left towards the bus station.
The bus station is about 50m straight ahead. On the left in this photo is the waiting room for the bus where you can get information.
Across the street, to the right of this photo, there are several cafés where you can get food and drink.
The bus to Château Chinon is usually here but double check with the bus driver to make sure.
What equipment do I need to bring?
No mater what season you should bring a waterproof jacket, safety shoes or boots, safety glasses, old work clothes for dust and mud, gloves. Optionally you may bring hiking boots as there are many nice trails.
Recommended winter gear
Sleeping bag. We have clean sheets and blankets but some people prefer extra blankets which we don't have.
Waterproof jacket
Warm underclothes like long underwear.
Recommended summer gear
Light work clothes as it can get hot outside.
Hats for protecting against the sun.
Sunglasses.
Optionally you may bring swimwear.
Optionally you may bring hiking boots as there are many nice trails.
What are the work conditions?
The work is physical, manual labor that is often dusty, muddy, noisy, wet, hot and cold. Although the work can be hard, at the end of the day you will have a great feeling of satisfaction. It's a good feeling of being physically tired and psychologically relaxed and with the country side air you will sleep very well.
What's the weather like?
The warmer part of the year in Burgundy begins around May and ending around October. The colder part of the year begins around October and ends around April. We do get our fair share of wet weather. More details here.
What other facilities can benefit the volunteers?
The "Canteen" is located next to the construction site. There, the volunteers can prepare food, do their laundry and connect to unlimited high speed Internet. It is open 24/7.
Across the street from the construction site is the dormitory. It's an old house (±1840s) with green shutters.
There are 2 rooms with a total of 12 beds, a toilet, and a shower. There's also a washing machine available.
What do we do after work hours?
Hiking in the beautiful natural park (Parc naturel régional du Morvan), lake-swimming, barbecues, music, films. Nearby are many interesting historical and tourist sites like Vézelay, Bibracte, Autun, Château de Bazoches and many more.
Bonfire.MOVContact information
Association Opus Gothique
1365 route de Changemois, Lieu-dit Changemois
58120 Saint Léger de Fougeret,
Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan
Bourgogne, Nièvre, France
Check on Google Maps
Sam RUSSELL, President, Association Opus Gothique
sam@opusgothique.fr +33-(0)6.95.46.92.83