The low walls of the Petite Sorgue
08 au 21 Jul 2023
Place: Le Thor (Vaucluse)
Participants: Adults
Workcamp description:
In the heart of the city, in the bed of the fresh river, you will restore the bank walls of the Petite Sorgue, which is one of the many arms of the famous Sorgue of Fontaine de Vaucluse. After removing the small plants present in the walls, you will proceed with the repointing of the stones with lime mortar and the application of a whitewash. Swimming will be nearby, as well as the warm, lively evenings of Isle sur la Sorgue.
Work programme:
- Remove ivy
- Restoration of the masonry
- Plastering
Building technique: Lime masonry
Special bonus : The workcamp is on the banks of the Sorgue, you can take a dip cool off at regular intervals.
Event during the workcamp: Lavandissima Festival, a big lavender festival in the centre of the village. A festival that smells like Provence!
Accommodation: Tents, at the municipal sportsground, with access to toilets/showers and changing rooms. The sportsground is just 10 min walk from the workcamp. Bring your own tent if you like.
Workcamp life: You will take care of daily life tasks (preparation of meals, cleaning) in turn.
Building work in the mornings, Mon-Fri. Free time in afternoons and weekends, with a choice of group excursions and activities.
Some ideas for excursions: Avignon Theatre Festival, discovery of the castle of Thouzon, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse, hiking in the Dentelles de Montmirail, on the Mont Ventoux, in the Monts de Vaucluse, swimming and canoeing in the Sorgue
A little bit of history:
Le Thor is a farming town and ancient heartland of both Chasselas wine grapes and “garance” plant dye. It has managed to keep relics of its past, such as the ancient fortified monastery on the Colline de Thouzon hill and its impressive, listed Romanesque church on both sides of its 12th century opus piscatum, herring-bone ramparts.
Legend has it that the town’s name comes from a tale of a bull that knelt down several times to drink from a trough fed by the Sorgue where a small statue of the Virgin Mary was found.
In reality, the word "Tor" was an often-used geographical term in the 12 and 13th centuries, to describe boggy areas.
Le Thor’s ramparts are thought to date back to the 12, 13 and 14th centuries and had four gateways, although just one survives today; the recently restored belfry.