Field Actions & Public Event Schedules

Real-time field interventions, active restoration workshops, community educational visits, and our public timetable for the Field Action Plan 2026 in Foix.

Volunteers and preservation workers active on a historical building restoration site — Figure 1: Civic volunteers participating in foundation perimeter clearing and historic masonry stone sorting on Montgauzy hill.

Three Core Field Action Programs

The Association des Amis de la Chapelle Notre Dame de Montgauzy conducts continuous on-site field actions organized into three coordinated programs. Each initiative is carefully structured to combine technical conservation rigor with active citizen participation and educational enrichment:

Program Alpha • Masonry & Structural Stabilization

Hydraulic Lime Repointing & Stone Consolidation

This operational module addresses the progressive degradation of external wall joints exposed to mountain weather. Under the guidance of our technical coordinator and certified stone masons, volunteers participate in the methodical removal of friable cement patches that were improperly installed during mid-twentieth-century maintenance.

Once joints are thoroughly cleared of organic matter and dampened, they are repointed with authentic NHL 3.5 natural hydraulic lime mixed with coarse local sands. This ensures superior breathability, allowing moisture trapped inside the rubble core to evaporate harmlessly without causing spalling on outer limestone faces.

Close-up of historical architectural details, stained glass windows, and stone mullions inside a historic chapel — Figure 2: Architectural audit of the chapel sanctuary windows and stone mullions undergoing technical documentation for humidity resistance.

Program Beta • Environmental & Grounds Stewardship

Slope Swale Management & Botanical Conservation

Montgauzy hill is characterized by a steep geological slope composed of schist and limestone subsoil. Rainwater rushing down from the summit forest frequently saturated the chapel's northern foundations. In response, our environmental team has excavated a series of shallow, stone-lined drainage swales that redirect stormwater toward municipal catchment systems.

Simultaneously, we actively protect the hillside's biodiversity by removing invasive acacia and bramble thickets while planting indigenous groundcover species such as wild thyme and boxwood, which stabilize the topsoil naturally without sending deep destructive roots into medieval foundations.

Program Gamma • Public Cultural Pedagogics

Guided Heritage Discovery & Youth Field Seminars

Every month, the association hosts free on-site guided educational encounters led by local historians and architectural researchers. These visits are open to the general public, regional retirees, tourist walkers, and school groups from across Ariège.

Participants explore the historical trajectory of the chapel, from its medieval origins to its modern preservation. Attendees receive complimentary educational pamphlets explaining traditional masonry vocabulary, historical timber framing joinery, and the significance of sacred Pyrenean art.

Group of community members and volunteers in a civic dialogue circle discussing historic preservation — Figure 3: Community dialogue session where citizens and volunteers exchange insights following a historical educational tour on Montgauzy hill.

Public Event Timetable • Season 2026

All events organized by the association are strictly non-commercial, free of charge, and committed exclusively to public interest cultural education and volunteer action:

Date & Time	Event / Field Activity	Location & Rendezvous	Audience / Participation
First Saturday of Each Month 09:00 – 13:00	Monthly Civic Volunteer Field Day Masonry joint repointing, brush clearance, and site maintenance	Montgauzy Chapel Hillside Access via Rue Saint-Vincent	Open to all registered civic volunteers (Tools and safety gear provided)
Third Wednesday of Each Month 14:30 – 16:30	Youth & School Heritage Discovery Workshop Tactile introduction to stone carving and Pyrenean history	Chapel Nave & Outdoor Pavilion	Public school pupils, educators, and accompanying parents (Free entry)
Third Saturday of Each Month 10:30 – 12:00	Public Guided Historical Tour In-depth architectural lecture led by association historians	Meeting at the Western Portal Archway	General public, cultural enthusiasts, and regional residents
Third Weekend of September 10:00 – 18:00	European Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine) Full-day open sanctuary, artisan demonstrations, and sacred art exhibition	Full Montgauzy Site & Chapel Crypt	Universal civic public (Free admission & accessible pathways)

Beneficiary Scope & Community Reach

The direct beneficiaries of our field actions span a wide cross-section of the Ariège population. In 2025 alone, over 1,450 individuals engaged directly with our activities:

420 Primary & Secondary School Students: Gained firsthand experience of architectural heritage, discovering how science and history converge in monument conservation.
68 Active Civic Volunteers: Acquired practical preservation skills, team coordination experience, and meaningful civic engagement.
960 General Public & Senior Citizens: Attended free historical lectures, guided weekend tours, and cultural open days in an inclusive, accessible environment.

Civic volunteers and researchers collaborating around field notes and historic preservation documents — Figure 4: Field coordinators recording site measurements and updating physical condition registries during an active restoration session.

Active Execution Updates: Field Action Plan 2026

As of October 2026, the association has completed 70% of the planned drainage excavation around the north wall, completely neutralizing the dampness that previously affected the crypt. Mortar testing conducted in partnership with regional materials specialists confirmed that our hydraulic lime blend achieved an optimal 28-day compressive strength of 3.8 MPa while maintaining an excellent vapor permeability coefficient.

During the upcoming winter period, our focus shifts indoors to the climate-controlled conservation of historic oak furnishings and documentation of the chapel's medieval liturgical inventory in our administrative office.

Would You Like to Attend an Upcoming Event?

All our visits and volunteer days are free and open to everyone. Feel free to contact our secretariat for meeting coordinates or to schedule a customized educational tour for your school group.

Contact Secretariat Join as a Civic Volunteer