The Chemin des Sages project was born during a meeting of the Council of Elders, composed of 9 women and 9 men aged 60 and over, chosen for their wise experience by the municipal councilors. On that day, the topic of discussion was how to bring our republican motto, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," to life.
The birth of the Path of the Sages
The idea arose that scattering quotes from illustrious men and women , renowned worldwide for their wisdom and humanism , throughout the town could resonate with both locals and tourists. To justify this bold and innovative project to the Mayor and the Town Council, the decision was made to link this route to the historical plaques that were to be installed on the town's iconic monuments. The members of the Council of Elders then determined the path through the medieval village and worked on the materials, texts, images, and symbols for these plaques.
The butterfly symbol was chosen because it represents joy, beauty, grace, and the lightness of being. It evokes the power of personal transformation through its strong capacity for rebirth. Indeed, before becoming a butterfly, this insect is first an egg, then a caterpillar, then a chrysalis, and finally a butterfly. Each new stage symbolizes a change in life, letting go of who you were to appreciate who you have become. As a symbol of wisdom, this animal is a source of inspiration in life. Beneath its fragile appearance,
The butterfly possesses great strength. Indeed, its life is ephemeral (lasting from a few days to a few weeks), and yet it spreads joy and good cheer through the grace and beauty of its flight, appreciating every moment that nature offers. So why not be like the butterfly, approaching with confidence everything that life offers us , good or bad experiences, because after all, it only lasts a moment? Aren't these past experiences the best preparation for the future , allowing us to move forward with greater serenity on life's path?
The biography of Nelson Mandela
Lawyer and politician, symbol of the fight against Apartheid and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Nelson Mandela , whose tribal clan name was "Madiba," was born on July 18, 1918, in the Union of South Africa. The son of a tribal chief, orphaned at the age of 10, he was raised to become an advisor to the Prince, like his father. He began studying law and attributed his academic success to his perseverance and tenacity. Mandela joined the ANC (African National Congress) in 1944, leading a non-violent resistance movement for the rights of Black people in South Africa. He established South Africa's first Black cabinet in 1952 and spearheaded a fight against racial segregation.
He participated in drafting the Freedom Charter, a true plea for equality among all South Africans. However, faced with the bloody repression of peaceful protests, he organized the use of violence by creating the armed wing of the ANC and carrying out the first acts of sabotage. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for treason in 1964 , and the ANC made him an icon of the struggle against Apartheid. Mandela refused to be released in exchange for renouncing armed struggle against Apartheid.
At the request of Afrikaner leaders, themselves under international pressure, Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990 , after 27 years of imprisonment in Paarl Prison . He had become the symbol of the struggle for Black freedom in South Africa. He accepted his release in exchange for a democratic transition , and in South Africa's first democratic elections, Nelson Mandela was elected president on April 27, 1994, serving until 1999. His life revolved around the fight against racial segregation, and for this, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. After his presidential term, he withdrew from political life but devoted himself to charitable work.
On June 24, 1995, South Africa regained its lost honor: Nelson Mandela proudly wore the jersey of his team, which celebrated its return to the international rugby stage with a victory. Excluded from competitions until 1992 due to Apartheid, South Africa participated in the World Cup for the first time and defeated New Zealand in the final with a mixed-gender team. After a tough semi-final against France, they went on to have a flawless run and overcame the phenomenon that was Lomu, the new All Black star. On December 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95.
Marin cork factory
Wherever the cork oak grows naturally , humans have always used its bark. Cork oak bark is used for a variety of practical applications. For example, fishermen use it to make net floats because it is rot-resistant. It is also used to make sturdy serving dishes for use on fishing boats. In the past, the bark was used as insulation or to temporarily cover the shelters of shepherds or charcoal burners.
The cork industry flourished for centuries, reaching its peak around the mid- 6th century. Making a cork requires patience. It takes at least 10 years for the tree bark to become sufficiently thick. Then, a strip of cork is harvested from the trunk using specialized tools. The bark is then dried for approximately six months and cleaned to remove impurities. The cork sheets are then delivered to factories.
Originally, corks were made by hand with a knife, which was not very efficient. With the Industrial Revolution, mechanization increased productivity. Guillotines cut the sheets more quickly , and semi-automated machines turned the corks. The installation of the Compagnie de Provence railway facilitated the export of local products, including cork. However, activity in the Maures mountains gradually declined in favor of other regions where labor costs were lower, such as southwestern France, Spain, North African countries, and Portugal. At the beginning of the 20th century , three cork factories remained , but their activity was considerably reduced compared to the previous century. The sale of the last machines from one of these factories in 1937 thus marked the end of an era.
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