Educational trip for middle school students

From October 19 to 23, around 100 middle school students from the Loiret department took part in the fifth edition of the "parcours citoyen" trip. The event focused on World War II history and aimed to deepen students' understanding of citizenship.

Program based on historical memory

The initiative, called "Devoir de mémoire" (Duty of Memory), has been offered by the Loiret Department Council to middle school students since 2019. It replaces traditional classroom learning with immersive experiences such as field visits, reflection sessions, orienteering races, quizzes, and workshops on historical sources.

Activities centered on local history

Students visited significant sites in the Loiret related to the Resistance and deportation, including the Lorris Resistance crossroads. They also took part in an escape game themed around the Resistance and explored the Bricy air base. Supervision was provided by teachers from three public middle schools and staff from the "Cigales et Grillons" association, which specializes in educational discovery trips.

Closing day included archive visits and workshops

The trip ended with a visit to the departmental archives in Orléans, followed by workshops on World War II events. Families were asked to contribute 35 euros per child, with the rest of the costs covered by the Loiret Department.

Emphasis on memory and citizenship

Marc Gaudet, president of the Loiret Department, highlighted the importance of remembering those who defended France's territory and ideals, especially in today's political climate. The program seeks to connect historical events with current societal challenges, helping young people grasp the foundations of citizenship and the value of historical memory.