Stages and Progression in Compagnons du Devoir
– Possession of a Certificat d’aptitude professionelle is required to start a Tour de France.
– A first-year aspiring compagnon, known as a stagiaire, works full-time in the trade and lives in the compagnon house.
– Those who want to become compagnons apply for the adoption ceremony.
– The stagiaire undertakes a travail d’adoption, a project that must be submitted to become an aspirant.
– The aspirant works full-time on weekdays and stays in the compagnon house, learning the trade under compagnons.
Daily Life in Compagnons du Devoir
– A typical weekday involves working full-time on-site for the company that employs the aspirant.
– Dinner is eaten together with the community living in the house.
– Classes are held in the evenings, covering subjects like technical drawing, technology, and languages.
– Saturdays are dedicated to classes and skill development.
– Sundays are spent exploring the conception of a masterpiece.
History of Compagnons du Devoir
– The organization dates back to medieval times when the Compagnons built churches and castles.
– The Compagnonnage was banned during the French Revolution but later repealed.
– During World War II, the Compagnons were persecuted by the Nazi occupiers.
– Adolphe Clément-Bayard, Edmond Le Martin, Joël Robuchon, and Eugène Milon are notable figures associated with Compagnons du Devoir.
– The novel ‘Le Compagnon du Tour de France’ by George Sand and the book ‘Études sur la Franc-Maçonnerie et le Compagnonnage’ by René Guénon are related to the Compagnons.
Literature about Compagnons du Devoir
– The novel ‘Le Compagnon du Tour de France’ was written by George Sand in 1840.
– The book ‘Études sur la Franc-Maçonnerie et le Compagnonnage’ by René Guénon was published in 1964.
– These literary works explore different aspects of the Compagnons and their traditions.
– They provide insights into the history and philosophy of the organization.
– The works contribute to the understanding and preservation of the Compagnonnage tradition.
Musée – Librairie du Compagnonnage
– Musée – Librairie du Compagnonnage is a museum and bookstore dedicated to the Compagnonnage.
– It showcases artifacts, documents, and books related to the Compagnons.
– The museum provides a deeper understanding of the history and traditions of the Compagnons.
– It offers resources for further research and exploration of the Compagnonnage.
– Visiting the museum is a recommended activity for those interested in the Compagnons du Devoir. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnons_du_Tour_de_France
The Compagnons du Devoir, full name Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France, is a French organization of craftsmen and artisans dating from the Middle Ages. Their traditional, technical education includes taking a tour, the Tour de France, around France and doing apprenticeships with masters. For a young man or young woman today, the Compagnonnage is a traditional mentoring network through which to learn a trade while developing character by experiencing community life and traveling. The community lives in a Compagnon house known as a cayenne and managed by a mère (mother) or maîtresse (mistress), a woman who looks after the well-being of the residents, of which there are more than 80 in France. The houses vary in size from a small house for five people to a larger one with more than 100 people living together.
Until 2005, the compagnons were all male. Today, they can be found in 49 countries across five continents, practising many different trades.
A similar tradition exists for German Wandergesellen, or journeymen, to set out on the Wanderjahre.
"Tour de France" simply refers to the fact that the Compagnons travel throughout France; every six months to a year they are required to change work locations. This is unrelated to the Tour de France cycling competition. The word compagnon (companion) is derived from the Old French compaignon, a person with whom one breaks bread.
