Equipped with maps, participants had to find beacons scattered throughout the city center of Brive-la-Gaillarde, from the collégiale Saint-Martin to the musée Labenche, and the market halls. The challenge was not just about running, but also about sharp observation, memorizing information, and answering questions.
For Camille, 18, an apprentice in her first year of automotive mechanics BTS and originally from Ally (Cantal), this day was an opportunity to get to know Brive better. She noted the contrast with her small hometown and expressed her desire to gain more bearings through this activity with her team, the « D’échapés ».
Concurrently, a large student flea market, stocked with donations from locals, offered free tableware, small furniture, and useful items for students setting up home, held under the halle Brassens. A 'good deals' village also brought together numerous partners to facilitate their daily lives.
Before the start, Sylvie Boël, municipal councilor, accompanied by deputy mayor Sylvie Alvinerie-Bousquet, welcomed the students, emphasizing that the Défi Gaillard, since 2021, serves as an occasion to meet, build connections, and find one's place in Brive's student life.
A collective warm-up session to music preceded the start. Students then tackled a course involving spotting 19 red beacons, memorizing ten blue fact sheets, and retrieving a Chaminade trophy.
Some teams already displayed their ambitions, including the sports science students (STAPS), often formidable in such events. The « D’échapés » team relied on teamwork to guide Camille in her discovery of the city.
