College students following in the footsteps of the Haut-Jura resistance: what is this Saint-Claude defense class?

Since the start of the school year, 22 3rd grade students from the Saint-Oyend private college have participated in a unique experience in the district of Saint-Claude (Jura): a defense class conducted in partnership with the gendarmerie.

Throughout the year, the middle school students discovered the missions of the security forces, the challenges of national defense and the values ​​of civic engagement. This educational project, integrated into school time, was initiated by the director of the establishment, Frédéric Théodori, with the support of Olivier Bonglet, intendant of the college and president of Souvenir Français, very involved in the transmission of local history. It was also made possible thanks to the commitment of Commander Perget and Constable Florian Jouanole.

This Thursday, June 4, 2026, the students experienced one of the highlights of this year of discovery. The day was first devoted to the duty of memory, with a stop at a place called Les Fournets, in the commune of Moussières. It was there that, on April 12, 1944, six resistance fighters were arrested and then tortured to death after a denunciation. Among them were Osias Clément, then mayor of Coyrière, and Jean Vincent, sergeant of Bouchoux.

A wreath was laid in front of the commemorative stone in the presence of the sub-prefect François Huet, as well as the mayors of Coyrière and Moussières, Daniel Grenard and Mathieu Le Moullec.

A moment of history at Borne au Lion

The day continued at Borne au Lion, under the Crêt de Chalam, a mecca of the Resistance on the border of Haut-Jura and Ain.

Welcomed by the new mayor of La Pesse, Guillaume Jeannot, the middle school students listened to a speech devoted to the notion of commitment. Members of the association Les Amis de la Borne au Lion et du Crêt de Chalam, Gérard Molard, René Lançon and Catherine Comby, then retraced the history of the site and those who fought there. Stories that are sometimes difficult, but followed with great attention by young people.

After an outdoor picnic, the afternoon was devoted to demonstrations and exercises presented by the High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM). A discovery particularly appreciated by the students, which concluded a day rich in lessons, between memory, citizenship and discovery of the professions of the gendarmerie.

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