According to legend, some of the Companions are born around the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem, during the time of the famous King Solomon 3000 years ago. Others in Egypt of Pharaohs or in the time of cathedrals and Templars...
Everyone has heard of the Companion; Over the centuries he has left tangible traces of grandiose achievements. The companionship is linked to the construction of cathedrals, the restoration of many monuments with Viollet-le-Duc or the lifting of the Eiffel Tower. When you visit a monument the guides do not fail to make you notice « Companion brands » in particular stone tailors, carpenters: marks made during the construction but also marks of passage during the Tour de France (Pont du Gard, Temple de Diane à Nîmes).
Agricol Perdiguier, the reformer and peacemaker of the 19th century companionship, George Sand's inspiration when she wrote » The Companion of the Tour de France » is known to the general public and its memory is always maintained in the various companion movements.
Despite all this companionship remains a somewhat mysterious organization even today.
You must be at least 16 years old and be in vocational training and up to 40 years old. It is necessary to practice or train in one of the trades recognized by the Companion Union. It is not required to examine or pass tests to apply for the Companion Union but it is essential to have the will to improve in his profession and to adhere to the principles of fellowship: improvement, respect, passion.
Simply complete the form according to your situation or contact the section of the Companion Union closest to your region. A first meeting will be organized so that the Companions can clearly explain to you what exactly the Companion is and all that it can bring you and know your motivations. A registration file will be submitted to you and a contribution requested which may vary depending on the city.
A young person who makes his Tour de France is paid by his employer. The Companion Union does not intervene.
The Tour de France is indeed one of the essential principles of companionship. However, the Companion Union can receive as a Companion a person who would not have made his Tour de France. Generally, this exception is for people who are late in discovering companionship. As a result, their family and professional situation no longer allows them to leave on the Tour de France. In order to become one day Companion and before realizing their « masterpiece » These people must meet the Companions for a few years by multiplying contacts so that they can « approach » The experience of a Tour de France in the framework of the professional development courses and the celebrations of Cayennes organised on the occasion of admissions and receptions.
There is no limit during which a young person can be on the Tour de France. Just like the length of the stages in each city; It is the interest and benefits acquired that determine whether a stay in one city can be extended or whether it is justified to go to another Cayenne. In any case, the Companions de la Cayenne and the trade group consider what is most profitable for the young person.
Originally, the Cayenne was the house that welcomed the Companions. Today, by extension, we call Cayenne the sections of the Companion Union (Example: La Cayenne de TOURS).
Given its infrastructure and its willingness to operate (individual monitoring and relationship between young people and Companions), the number of young people living in the same Cayenne is still limited. Accommodation options vary according to the cities of 5 and 15 people. A young homeless person with complete freedom to stay outside the Cayenne during his Tour de France even if he lives in a community is strongly advised.
Young people themselves carry out daily tasks and stewardship, even if the Companions and the Mother ensure the proper functioning of community life.
The Companions changed a centuries-old tradition by opening their doors to the Women of Trade. Any young girl practising or being trained in a trade recognized by the Companion Union may claim to become a Companion. The approach to enter and the path to achieve this recognition is common to all.
If this experience is professionally beneficial it is encouraged. If a young person is interested in going to work in another country, and if he or she has the agreement of the Companions, there is no objection to this possibility and he or she will be accompanied in his or her actions. The Companion Union is a member of the Confederation of European Companions (CCEG) and this allows us to have an opening on Europe and the rest of the world thanks to the local locations of the various Companion Societies that are members of the CCEG.
Mothers are always present in companionship. Today this person must be the wife of a Companion and before becoming Mother she will have been « Lady Hostess ». His role is no longer the one she could still have in the early 20th century when he was usually an innkeeper. Today, his role is mainly to listen to young people and help overcome problems to which the Companions are not necessarily sensitive.
This is the work that must be done to receive Companion. In general, it is a model that represents the difficulties of a profession. This work must be of very high quality. It is the Companions who judge whether the work presented is worthy to recognize its author as a Companion.
It is exclusively the Companions of the Companion Union who voluntarily take over the functioning of their society. In a Cayenne (local section in a city) the Companions divide the tasks and all the positions to be filled is defined and voted annually. In each Cayenne, in addition to the positions of president, secretary, treasurer, he is appointed a Companion who will have to take care of the Youth movement on the Tour de France, this Companion calls himself the « First city ».
Not systematically. But indeed, Companion Union Companions can wear a golden ring to each ear. These rings are called « Joints » And the Companions that carry them are said to be « Jointed ». Wearing the seals is not mandatory, but in order to be able to wear them, the Companion must apply to the Companions of his section. The fact of wearing these rings is a visible sign of belonging to a companion society, therefore, the Companion who wishes to wear them undertakes to be representative of the Companion.
It's a « Companion name » which is given the day the young person is received Companion. It is always composed of the name of the region of origin, followed by a quality that the Companions recognize it. (Ex. Breton Prudence, Savoyard Faithful Heart...).
Companion received « for life », alone, a resignation or a cancellation (which can happen if a Companion commits a very serious fault) can terminate a companion activity. The person no longer has any responsibility or activity within the Companion Union.
There is indeed a regulation governing the lives of young people in a Cayenne. When a young person arrives in a city, he becomes aware of these rules and undertakes to respect them. This regulation is the one that everyone must impose for a life in common, it adds to it specific uses of companionship such as avoiding dealing in Cayenne, political or religious subjects for example.
Not necessarily, each Cayenne tries to identify and select the companies in her region that could host a young person who is making her Tour de France.
