For the 2023 edition of the 71st promotion's biennial get-together, Bernard and Annie MAYET had invited us to their native Haut Jura in September. Starting in Les Rousses, our base camp, we met again on Monday evening in Prémanon at Paul Emile Victor's unexpected Espace des mondes polaires, with surprising musical entertainment. The following day was Franco-Swiss by train and boat to Yvoire (a tourist must-see, fortunately less frequented at the end of the summer) from La Cure station via Nyon (a town steeped in history, singled out by Hergé in the Tournesol Affair) then on to Lake Geneva and its steam-powered navy. Wednesday: visit to Saint-Claude, its cathedral, its curious pipe and diamond museum, its instructive Maison du peuple, not forgetting the Fromage stopover. Thursday morning: graduation mass in the church of Les Rousses in memory of those who have left us, in thanksgiving for our student years in Lille, which forged solid friendships that gave us the desire to meet again, even after fifty-two years, and in thought for those who were unable to join us, often for health reasons. At the end of the morning, we visited the Fort des Rousses, now a Comté cheese maturing cellar, with all five senses alert. A well thought-out, intensive, dynamic and instructive program of visits, thanks to the guidance of passionate professional guides.

Of course, the days were punctuated by gastronomic and convivial stops, well chosen by Bernard and Annie, with tastings of local products, cheeses of course in all their culinary forms, but also morels in yellow wine, for example! These were happy times for exchanging ideas and catching up.

All in all, the 49 participants enjoyed many friendships, discoveries and emotions in a relaxed atmosphere. We're already thinking about the next meeting in 2025.