The project of the Path of the Wise was born during a session of the Council of Elders, made up of 9 women and 9 men aged 60 and over, chosen for their wise experience by the Municipal Councillors. On that day, the subject of reflection was the question of how to bring our republican motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” to life?
The birth of the Path of the Sages
The idea germinated that sprinkle the city with sentences emanating from famous women and men, globally recognized for their wisdom and their humanism, could challenge the awareness of passers-by Borméens as tourists. In order to justify this bold and innovative project in the eyes of the Mayor and his Municipal Council, the decision is taken to combine this route with historical plaques which were to be installed on the city's emblematic monuments. The members of the Council of Elders then determined the route of this path within the medieval village and worked on the support, texts, images and symbols of these plates.
Le butterfly symbol is chosen because it represents joy, beauty, grace and lightness of being. It refers to the power of personal transformation by its strong power of rebirth. Indeed, before being a butterfly, this insect is first an egg, then it becomes a caterpillar before being a chrysalis and finally a butterfly. Each new step symbolizes a change in life, the let go on what you were to appreciate what you have become. As a symbol of wisdom, This animal is a source of inspiration in life. Under his fragile appearances,
The butterfly has a great strength. Indeed, his life is fleeting (life span of a few days to a few weeks) and yet, it spreads joy and good humor by the grace and beauty of its flight, enjoying every moment that nature offers it. So why not do like the butterfly, to approach with confidence everything that life offers us, good or bad experience, because after all it only lasts a moment. These experiences are not the past the better preparation for the future allowing us to move forward more serenely on the paths of life?
Baden Powell's Biography
British soldier, founder of scouting: "The ambition to do good is the only one that counts."
Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell of Gilwel was born in London on February 27, 1857 and died in Kenya on January 08, 1941. He was a British military man who founded scouting. At the age of twenty-six, he was promoted captain, are regiment is moved to South Africa. He meets some Native “scouts” for which he has much admiration and thus improves in the art of exploration.
In 1896, Frederick Russell Burnham taught him survival techniques who will later have a great influence on the creation of scouting.
Made famous throughout the British Empire by the Rescue of the small town of Mafeking in 1899 he is promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in 1907 and he asserts his retirement rights, in 1910, to devote to scouting. In 1907 he organized a eight day camp with twenty boys from different social classes on Brownsea Island then writes a work on how the scouting could be suitable for youth which he calls “Scouting for boys” (1908). scout movement quickly takes on a lot of importance and develops in many countries of the world. Le Jamboree from 1920 brought together for the first time scouts from 21 countries. Baden-Powell was appointed there World Chief (world scout leader).
After the end of the 1914-1918 war, he moved towards a discreet pacifism but real and the scout movement begins to follow him on this path. As he got older, his role became mainly honorary. Thus in 1938, he is in vain nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Korrigane Inn and Rue des Fours
The name of this place, “The Korrigane”, is atypical for the region because it is reference to an evil elf from Breton legends. The Korrigane played a important role in thelocal economy as popular holiday resort on Carnot Street. Over time, it was used as family home, small hotel-restaurant and youth hostel, thus contributing to the tradition of welcoming the village.
The entrance gate of La Korrigane and the serpentine stones from the nearby quarry of La Môle indicate theyear of construction of the building and suggest the level of wealth of its installation, which dates back to 1577. This part of the village developed in the 16th century outside the protective walls, once the threat of invasions and pillaging had receded.
Carnot Street, in particular its lower part, was thelocation of bread ovens. These ovens were located sufficiently away from homes to avoid fires. For centuries, a constantly running oven was used to bake bread for the villagers and for the Lordship. The local lord profited from it thanks to the “banalities” tax paid by the users of the oven. The number of ovens and bakeries increased with the population. At the beginning of the Twentieth century, out of the Carnot Street (formerly Rue des Fours), we could find three ovens and a large bakery which occupied a large part of the street.
Also find the Path of the Sages on Baludik!
To discover the fun and geolocated route, scan this QR code. Games and surprises await you with the Baludik application.