chapter
VII. Metamorphosis
Towards an ethical and sustainable future
A year across France to discover lifestyles based on ecology and well-being. A year of learning and enrichment through volunteering, woofings, short training courses, participatory projects centered on three approaches that particularly interest me, permaculture, herbalism and eco-construction.
Keywords: transition, resilience, permaculture, ecology, transformation, herbalism, eco-construction, low tech, zero-waste, cycling, learning.
In progress since 27th of August 2020 – France
dispatches.
My vegetable garden in pallets
Construction of a vegetable garden using pallets to reclaim my alimentation and experiment with the low tech approach.
A straw bale extension
Third stay with Jules to participate in the construction of a straw bale extension with vegetalized roof.
Training in eco-construction
First months of courses at the Gabion center in Mane for my professional retraining in eco-construction.
Roofing and tiles
Continuation of the renovation worksite in the Hautes-Alpes with finishing of the roof and laying of tiles.
Hands in senses
Being amazed at the contact of herbalists persons, discovering a project that makes sense and finding answers for the future.
Observing paradise
Living on the heights of Gap in winter and immerse myself in the shapes and the perfect landscapes of the Gapençaise region.
Renovate to rebuild the world
A month of volunteering work in the Hautes-Alpes to help with the ecological renovation project of an old ruin.
On the way to light habitats
What does living in a Tiny House mean? Making a choice and orienting myself professionally on the path of eco-construction.
What future for an organic vegetable gardener
Discovering organic market gardening and wondering about the future, ergonomics in the fields and the importance of tales and aesthetics.
About the need for non-violent communication
Are we able to change our way of communicating in order to set up a coexistence based on respect for each other?
The disappointments of traveling by bicycle and train
Being confronted with the reality of traveling by bicycle and train in France and questioning myself about my decisions.
About raw wood furniture
Using wood in a raw and respectful way to put creativity and simplicity back at the heart of our living spaces.
Harvesting chestnuts
Discovering what it means to harvest chestnuts in a traditional way in one of the main producing region, the Limousin.
Transforming plants into herbal teas
First approach of medicinal and aromatic plants and their transformation into herbal teas.
In contact with the Simples
Living on a family farm for two weeks in the heart of Limousin and realizing that things are not that simple.
Earth and lime plasters
Application, during a participatory worksite, of lime plaster on the exterior walls and earth plaster on the interior walls.
Build and insulate in straw
Description of the different stages in the construction of a straw house and the techniques used.
For a living architecture
Volunteering on the construction site of a house built in straw located on the Crozon peninsula at the end of Brittany.
The earth-hemp cob and Norman architecture
Discovering the construction with natural materials and be inspired by the traditional architecture of the Normandy region.
Transforming fruits into compotes, jams and jellies
Transform its fruits into jars to keep them longer and have access all year round especially during winter time.
First look on the concept of eco-culture
Discovering permaculture applied to the field of food production and thoughts about its application.
An oasis in Normandy
Two weeks of wwoofing in the heart of Normandy to discover within an eco-farm the beginnings of permaculture and another way of living.
Opening
One day at the end of August 2020 I left. My head full of questions about the future of our lifestyles and our societies, I set out to discover and learn other possibilities.
My vegetable garden in pallets
A straw bale extension
Training in eco-construction
Roofing and tiles
Hands in senses
Observing paradise
Renovate to rebuild the world
On the way to light habitats
What future for an organic vegetable gardener
About the need for non-violent communication
The disappointments of traveling by bicycle and train
About raw wood furniture
Harvesting chestnuts
Transforming plants into herbal teas
In contact with the Simples
Earth and lime plasters
Build and insulate in straw
For a living architecture
The earth-hemp cob and Norman architecture
Transforming fruits into compotes, jams and jellies
First look on the concept of eco-culture
An oasis in Normandy