A Cultural Experience at Compagnonnage Museum in France

With over 800 years of heritage and tradition, discover this French museum that has close ties with our own Australian business.

To say I love France is no lie. I’m a bonafide Francophile. It was probably my birth-right when my parents gave me the middle name of Frances (my maternal grandmother’s name).

June was my fourth visit to France, but my first “proper” tour. It was a family visit to meet Thomas’ family (my in-laws). I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the authentic French lifestyle being shown around by native-speakers. It is something I had never experienced while I was an English-speaking backpacker living in London ten years ago.

One of the things I had anticipated most about our trip was seeing one particular museum located in, Tours, on the Loire River.

The city of Tours as indicated by a hand illustrated sketch by Laurent on top of a vintage map of France

This museum, The Museum of the Companionship (“Le Musee du Compagnonnage”) is home to exhibits made by alumni to Thomas’ and Laurent’s trade university, The Companions of Duty (“Les Compagnons du Devoir”), among other similarly aligned Compagnon guilds.

An incredibly brief history of Compagnonnage

Compagnonnage was formed in the Middle Ages (c.1200) but their origins have been dated back to the reign of King Solomon of Jerusalem (c. 970 to 931 BCE). Yes, this is the same time when pharaohs still ruled Egypt and Solomon is a direct descendent to them!

King Solomon had plans to construct Solomon’s Temple. He needed the assistance of a skilled French mason by the name of Master Jack (“Maitre Jacques”) and an architect named Father Soubise (“Le Pere Soubise”) to travel to Jerusalem to construct the masterpiece. Master Jack and Father Soubise returned to France once construction was complete with teams of loyal workers keen to continue learning and growing with new skills. Such is the importance of this story; many of museum’s exhibits pay homage to these three men.

Flash forward to the Middle Ages, when there was a significant number of ornate Cathedrals under construction, there were many skilled workers travelling France from site to site. They needed mutual aid on their journeys and associations started forming to support them with: travel, board and lodgings, and a funding pool for when workers needed financial assistance when injured or ill. These are the origins of what we now know as trade unions and pension funds.

Global recognition

In current times collaborating between trades, passing skills down to the next generation, travel, and community are all factors that remain true to these guilds.

The artisanal skills combined with the culture have been met with recognition by the global community, particularly in relation to traditional craftsmanship around historic architecture.

In 2010, Compagnons were recognised by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) under their Intangible Cultural Heritage program for their “network for the transmission of knowledge and identities by the profession”.

Le Compagnons du Devoir is also certified in ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management systems.

Compagnons are found across the world working on heritage listed monuments, with the world’s most coveted fashion designers, in homes of the rich and famous… and of course, right here in Mullumbimby.

Trades

There are similar guilds across Europe but the French Compagnons have the widest range of trades which are categorised under six sections:

Building

Locksmith (Serrurier-métallier) – Thomas’ trade
Builder (Maçon)
Carpenter (Charpentier)
Plumber (Plombier)
Roofer (Couvreur)
Stonecutter (Tailleur de pierre)

Metallurgy and Industry

Blacksmith (Forgeron)
Bodybuilder (Carrossier)
Boilermaker (Chaudronnier)
Electrician (Électrotechnicien)
Foundry / Caster (Fondeur)
Machinist (de précision)
Mechanic (Mécanicien)

Layout and Finish

Cabinetmaker (Ébéniste) – Laurent’s trade
Flooring (Solier-moquettiste)
Joiner (Menuisier)
Painter (Peintre)
Plasterer-plaquist (Plâtrier-plaquiste)
Tiler (Carreleur)

Taste

Baker (Boulanger)
Butcher (Charcutier)
Cheesemaker (Fromager)
Cooper (Tonnelier)
Pastry chef (Pâtissier)
Winemaker (Vigneron)

Living

Farrier blacksmith (Maréchal-ferrant)
Landscape gardener (Jardinier-paysagiste)

Soft Materials

Leatherworker (Maroquinier)
Saddle-upholsterer (Sellier-garnisseur)
Shoemaker or podo-orthotist (Cordonnier-bottier ou podo-orthésiste)
Upholsterer decorator or seat maker (Tapissier décorateur ou siège)

Evolution in trends and technologies have eliminated some training including: rope makers, weavers, milliners, dyers, tailors, tanners. It is a shame as some of these trades are having a popular resurgence. Perhaps they will back one day.

Study

They travel (mainly across France) and study at the same time. It may take between five and eight years to complete the apprentice level (“Aspirant”) to gain enough experience to graduate as a Compagnon. Graduation can be as low as 3% due to the demanding schedules and level of higher learning – some may liken it to a form of military style discipline.

Study focusses equally about mastering the hand (knowledge, skill, passing on to the next generation) as much as it is about training the mind (attitude, values, traditions) and it has been this way for centuries. We have had two other Compagnons work for us in our past three years. They are all efficient, tidy, precise, yet always staying very humble and personable in their achievements. They are the antithesis of the negative stereotypes some may have of the French.

The first years of study are completed manually – only hand tools – to ensure Aspirants learn the same way their forefathers had. Of course, in modern times it is for a Compagnon to decide if they’d like to use modern technologies to be more efficient in their work.

This level of study is not available in Australia. Anyone seeking this kind of formal education must travel abroad (likely granted on the Churchill Fellowship). I strongly suspect it is because Australia’s architecture only spans back ~200 years and may be restricted by building codes and regulations.

To graduate from Aspirant to Compagnon individuals must design and fabricate a “Masterpiece” from their respective trade. Thomas’ Masterpiece which is installed at the Compagnons’ quarters in Reims, can be viewed here on our website. Laurent made office cabinetry for the same quarters.

The Museum

Musée du Compagnonnage opened in 1968 under the curation of Roger Lecotté, a specialist in folklore and trade guilds. The museum is located in the medieval former Abbey of Saint-Julien, in the heart of old-town Tours. It is comparatively small to other museums but is jam-packed with exhibits with an obligatory exit via the gift shop “bien sûr”!

Exhibits in the museum are mostly Masterpieces. Some are made by Aspirants as hobbies. A small number of exhibits are in collaboration with other trades and may not be deemed appropriate to critique as a Masterpiece, however they are still extraordinary and worthy of their place in the museum.

Most pieces take thousands of hours to complete – each is mind-blowingly perfect. Some are replicas of traditional antiquities, others are contemporary while pushing the limits of imagination and physics. It is likely they’ve been entrusted to the museum because the vast amount of manhours involved makes them priceless.

Identity

Compagnons can be identified at official ceremonies and sometimes in their works by three traditional symbols:

a staff made from bulrush cane (walking stick to help them on their journeys);
a velvet sash with gold embroidery (there is a unique “colour” to identify each trade); and
the square and compass.

The square and compass tools are traditionally used for measurement and geometry to ensure a Compagnon’s work is always accurate and true.

It is important to note that the square and compass has also been identified as a symbol for the Freemason movement, which is a separate group to the Compagnons. The key differences lie in the fact that, Freemasonry is a purely symbolic group, whereas Compagnon guilds practice in professional products and services, which don’t necessarily relate to masonry trades. Compagnons have been established in France since 13th century, whereas Freemasons were established in England during the 17th century and later extended into other parts of Europe and the world.

Ahead, you will see these three symbols incorporated into some of the exhibits’ artefacts.

A stone marking the original mastercraftsmen who constructed part of the cathedral

CABINETMAKER (ÉBÉNISTE)

This is Laurent’s trade. Traditional cabinetmaking refers to free-standing furniture-making using solid timbers and veneers. Marquetry, traditional assembly like dovetail and perfect mitred joints are all common features in these types of furniture.

Laurent’s speciality lies in replicating and repairing antiquities. He really has brought “savoir faire” Down Under!

A marquetry style office cabinet (“bureau”) built in 1/3 scale

compagnon musee tours france 64 — Display cabinet with glass and mirror inlay. It holds other artefacts of the museum.

fine furniture byron bay — A chest of drawers inside a chest. Mixed solid timber and veneer marquetry to form an array of hidden drawers and compartments. Note the key located under the “sternum” that will release the bust to unhinge downwards.

fine furniture gold coast — A chest of drawers inside a chest. Mixed solid timber and veneer marquetry to form an array of hidden drawers and compartments. Note the key located under the “sternum” that will release the bust to unhinge downwards.

King Louis XV (1710 – 1774) traditional Baroque style cabinet made in 2/3 scale. Features stone top, rose marquetry inlay, gilding and brass filigrees.

LOCKSMITH (SERRURIER-MÉTALLIER)

This is Thomas’s trade. No, he won’t be come to your aid if you locked your keys in the car but instead make the lock mechanisms and keys to fit. Increasingly since the Industrial Revolution because locks are now machined so Serruriers now focus on forging and fabricating the other metallic elements where locks are installed: gates, doors, windows, handrails and balustrading.

A lock of many secret booby traps. The door (bottom left) masks the secret opening of this lock. Forcing the lock will trigger a handcuff trap and a mini canon will fire. Made around 1860 by Emile Ottia.
Right: the details of the lock’s key which is about 200mm long.

A selection of decorative projects including curved pulpit balustrading and an ornate forged staff-holder.

This was made in collaboration with a gunmaker. Would you believe the key doubles as a pistol as an extra layer of defence?!

Masterpiece, “Miniature Park Grid” made in 1/3 scale. The project took 14 years to complete by Compagnon Leopold Habert. It is made with over 2000 wrought iron elements plus rivets. It features multiple tiny working parts, chiselled steel faces, a faux clock, and the lock strike containing 12 miniature tools which were made as the first stage of the project. The tools can be seen at the bottom of the display.

“Blazon of Locksmiths” Masterpiece of M Beaudoin, 1985. Featuring traditional identities for Serruriers: square and compass, anvil and hammer, crossed keys, and greyhounds. I’m still mystified why Thomas wouldn’t want a greyhound for a pet after I know that!

Cross-shaped lock of the legion of honour.

OTHER TRADES

PASTRY CHEF (PÂTISSIER)

Our good friend, Bertrand, is a pâtissier and also local to the Byron Region – his croissants are the jam – pun intended! Bertrand is all about keeping his family happy and well fed with nutrient-rich foods. It has led him to develop Holy Nuts, a delicious range of nutritious hazelnut spreads.

In the meantime, feast your eyes on these sweet creations.

Pâtissier-Confectioner, Michel Parizot, made “Castle en Sucre” in 1973 (and the mice haven’t eaten it).

“Hospices de Beaune” made from 20kg of pasta by Georges Bouché, 1976. A tribute to one of France’s most prestigious historic monuments which sits in the Burgundy region, eastern France.

No this is not made from timber. A chess set inside an antique style globe – all hand dyed and made of sugar – c’est fantastic!

SHOEMAKER OR FOOT-ORTHOTICS (CORDONNIER-BOTTIER OU PODO-ORTHÉSISTE)

A selection of wooden clogs and leather shoes.

This boot has pearl beads strung on human hair and is a tribute to Giuseppe Garibaldi an Italian hero. Made in 1865.

Clog making was also a trade but is no longer on offer as they are out of vogue.

CARPENTER (CHARPENTIER)

Okay, so the carpenters may like to show off just a little. It is probably fare for them to have a bit of ego as all their intricate work eventually gets covered by plaster, paint or stone.

The first Masterpiece you see when you walk into the museum. It is made in 1/3 scale and features a central staircase, archways and spires across multiple levels.

An array of 1/3 scale steeples constructed by other carpenters

FARRIER BLACKSMITH (MARÉCHAL-FERRANT)

“Temple-Forge Workshop”, 1980, a Masterpiece by a blacksmith Compagnon François Bernadet. This photo shows the interior with miniature tools along with horseshoe-shaped furniture and external structure.

A travelling Compagnon statue, constructed by farrier Compagnon, Jean Tourangeau in 1985 with steel, copper and brass. He carries his gourd and cane on his shoulder, to which his knapsack is tied.

ROOFER (COUVREUR)

Over 3000 pieces of slate attached to rafters with lead and copper pipes surmounted by a chimera creature. 800 hours of work to complete by a Compagnon in 1976.

Timber and copper shingles steeple scaled model.

Hand cut slate to form a scaled version of the Eiffel Tower.

ROPE MAKERS (CORDIERS)

Lastly, we have the rope makers which is no longer taught, however I love macramé so it would be silly of me not to end on this corded tribute to the three founding figures: Maitre Jacques, Roi Solomon, and Le Pere Soubise (below: left to right)