Paris Volunteering

“When good Americans die, they go to Paris,” Oscar Wilde once famously said. Well, we're here to help you earn your place in French heaven by being a “good” American tourist and leaving the country in better shape than you found it.

Despite being the fifth-richest country in the world by GDP, France faces a variety of social issues, and so there is no shortage of aid organizations looking for volunteers. Whether you want to devote yourself to wildlife conservation, raise awareness about AIDS among urban youth, or take part in archaeological restoration, France abounds with organizations and volunteer opportunities to suit every interest and commitment level.

If you're interested in part-time or relatively short-term volunteer work, get in touch with one of the volunteer centers listed below. For travelers looking for a much longer or more immersive volunteer experience, volunteer companies are often the way to go, especially for younger or less-experienced travelers looking for community and support. These parent organizations will charge a fee in most cases, but in exchange they will usually take care of all the logistical details, arrange your airfare, room, and board if necessary, and provide you with a group environment. Of these, the International Volunteer Program ( www.ivpsf.org), which places volunteers in French non-profits for six weeks during the summer, and Volunteers for Peace ( www.vfp.org), which runs International Voluntary Service projects ranging from historic preservation work to AIDS/HIV education are among the best. Websites like www.transitionsabroad.com, www.volunteerabroad.com, www.volunteer international.org, and www.idealist.org are also great places to start your search for jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities abroad.

General Volunteer Organizations

Care France, CAP 19, 13 rue de Georges Auric, 75019 Paris (☎ 01 53 19 89 89; www.carefrance.org). An international organization providing volunteer opportunities that range from combating AIDS to promoting ...more

Youth And The Community

Groupement Étudiant National d'Enseignement aux Personnes Incarcerées (GENEPI) :Founded by students after the violent riots over the prison system in the early 70s, GENEPI pairs student volunteers ...more

Environmental Conservation

Club Du Vieux Manoir: Club du Vieux Manoir arranges projects of various lengths to restore castles and churches and teach young people about the importance of protecting the patrimoine national. ...more

Historical Restoration

The preservation and reconstruction of French landmarks is an ongoing concern. Volunteers looking for a more labor-intensive experience and an opportunity to learn about France’s architectural history ...more