As a journeyman carpenter in France - The Compagnonnage

Compagnonnage is one of the last genuine craft customs in today's largely digitalized world.

Young craftsmen from all trades are still involved in the non-profit association "Association Ouvrière des Compagnons du Devoir" and serve to train and further educate young craftsmen, not only in France. They are comparable to the traditional journeyman's journey of German craftsmen, but are very structured and combined with and supplemented with practical and theoretical training modules.

Since its creation in 1941, the association "Compagnons du Devoir" has remained true to its objectives and has taken care of professional, cultural and human training on the "Tour de France".

The origins of the Compagnonnage go back a long way. Guilds and craft brotherhoods existed even under Charlemagne. In the Middle Ages, pure craft organizations developed whose task was to promote and protect the craft and to train the next generation. Each professional group had its own "Compagnonnage". Its members, master craftsmen and journeymen, moved from construction site to construction site and, in solidarity, passed on their experience and professional knowledge to the younger, less experienced craftsmen.

While travelling throughout Europe, craftsmen of different nationalities, languages ​​and trades met in the medieval building lodges and together created magnificent architectural masterpieces such as the Gothic cathedrals. (At the beginning of the 19th century, for example, French stonemason companions were involved in the construction of Cologne Cathedral.)

Throughout the 19th century, the machine increasingly conquered all branches of trade, causing a steady decline in the trade itself and with it a decline in the journeyman movement. Only a handful of remaining companions from several professions were able to rebuild the companionship after the Second World War. From this merger of several old companionships, they finally founded the "Association Ouvrière des Compagnons du Devoir", which for the first time brought together various cooperatives (bricklayers, carpenters, roofers, stonemasons, stone sculptors, plasterers, joiners, blacksmiths, locksmiths, coachbuilders, mechanical engineers, turners, toolmakers, plumbers, gas and water fitters, plumbers, saddlers, interior decorators, upholsterers, bakers, confectioners, etc.).

As part of professional training and continuing education, it has been organizing journeyman journeys for young craftsmen throughout France and some European countries for over 80 years. The Compagnons are very well known in their home country due to their enormous technical expertise. And it is not for nothing that these first-class craftsmen are referred to as the elite or aristocrats of European craftsmanship.

Since 1972, the association's activities have not only included the professional training of journeymen, but also the training of apprentices in France. To this end, the Compagnons provide training workshops and trainers on the "Tour de France" to provide the young craftsmen with professional training.

But the training and further education is not just of a technical nature. Region, location and trades are changed regularly. A placement abroad is mandatory.

The author travelled to various companies and stations via Strasbourg, Lille and Valenciennes.

Life in one of the 60 or so workshops and dormitories also promotes tolerance, solidarity and a certain sense of brotherhood. The development of one's own personality and understanding of other cultures as well as the expansion of language skills are formative for life.

Staying in France as a German journeyman turns this challenge into a kind of test of maturity. After organizing a job in a French company, you are accommodated as a companion in a companion's house.

The living facilities are reduced to the essentials and usually a room is shared by two people. It is a close-knit, unifying community that places demands on personal responsibility, professional passion and life in society. Household tasks are also shared equally among all the roommates.

At the beginning there are some difficulties in communication, with the companions and at work, but the young Germans overcome these relatively quickly. Through the trade they practice together and its vocabulary, the German and French journeymen feel connected to each other on a human and professional level and can make themselves understood. This also makes it easier for the Germans to attend the advanced training courses in theory and practice.

At the end of a year in various cities in France, the German craftsmen can decide whether they want to end their journeymanship or remain in the Compagnonnage. If they decide to remain on the "Tour de France", they produce a kind of second journeyman's piece as an induction piece, the quality of which determines whether the journeyman is accepted into the association as a so-called "aspirant". After passing the exam, the journeyman continues his journeymanship. After around 3 years of journeymanship, he can become a full member of the Compagnonnage and the association as a "Compagnon". However, only after producing a masterpiece do they receive the official insignia of a Compagnon du Devoir.

A sash and a walking stick – depending on the guild in blue, red, yellow, green or white.

It is a valuable life and professional experience that stays with you for a lifetime.