[ Projects listing ](/en/supported-projects " Projects listing") ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/media/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/7709%2Craw%2C40_france_0.jpg.webp?h=b9affb6b&itok=nOE92HEW "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel 7709,raw,40_france.jpg") ### Social and Employment Place Nantes, France Sponsor Didier Gras-Bouteville Grant(s) 30,000 € to the Selection Committee at 2004/09/28 ### Project leader ATAO > « This project is all about a worthy cause: getting men and women aged 18 to 60 back into the workplace. It is a high profile, ambitious project to help others. » > > Didier Gras-Bouteville Launched in 1907, the *Condorcet*, was the last horse-drawn barge to leave the Nantes shipyards. It plied its trade for many years but has now become the proud if rusty representative of a bygone age and is classed as an historic monument. In 2004, to spruce up the *Condorcet*,which measures 27 metres from bow to stern, 4.58 metres across and weighs 40 tonnes, extensive renovation work was required. ATAO, a Nantes-based association for social integration, has decided to get the vessel back afloat and run a social integration project at the same time. By restoring this magnificent example of the national maritime heritage, the association initiated a project involving over two years of intensive metalwork to complete, while providing work for a score of employees on job-creation contracts. These men and women, aged 18 to 60, were previously victims of social and professional exclusion. Since then, the *Condorcet* has returned to service at the *musée* de la *Batellier* in Redon where it is used as a demonstration vessel for schoolchildren and tourists. The 30,000 euros provided by the Veolia foundation helped buy the equipment and materials needed for its renovation. Previous ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9102-008585.jpg.webp?h=82d9ab8a&itok=cK1Wkc1w "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9102-008585.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9103-008587.jpg.webp?h=82d9ab8a&itok=8RlSGWqE "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9103-008587.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9104-008588.jpg.webp?h=82d9ab8a&itok=AMJf4UPF "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9104-008588.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9105-008590.jpg.webp?h=82d9ab8a&itok=-Nwg7VJ8 "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9105-008590.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9106-008591.jpg.webp?h=82d9ab8a&itok=H9j8RxDN "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9106-008591.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9107-008592.jpg.webp?h=82d9ab8a&itok=9OXIFTPa "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9107-008592.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9108-Arche-de-Barel.jpg.webp?h=e0a3b2d3&itok=S5jv4b1Z "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9108-Arche-de-Barel.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9109-cap-vert.jpg.webp?h=82d9ab8a&itok=mdu3Q-_5 "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9109-cap-vert.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9110-Lancement-%C3%A9clairci.jpg.webp?h=e0a3b2d3&itok=q9Kig8Lx "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9110-Lancement-éclairci.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. ![](/sites/g/files/dvc3696/files/styles/carousel/public/asset/image/imported-pictures/2027/9111-Melneuf.jpg.webp?h=e0a3b2d3&itok=QGow3otT "Getting 18 people and 1 boat onto an even keel diaporama,9111-Melneuf.jpeg") ### A back-to-work scheme dedicated to renovating a river barge dating from 1907. Next