La Guilde

La Guilde, also known as La Guilde Européenne du Raid, is a French non-profit organization founded in 1967 by Patrick Edel and Joël Provansal. It began as an expedition group and has evolved into a leading French organization for international volunteering and solidarity. The organization supports volunteers, social entrepreneurs, and explorers, and funds hundreds of projects worldwide. It is recognized as a public utility organization and is accredited for Civic Service and International Solidarity Volunteering (VSI). La Guilde offers scholarships for adventure and exploration, and has a history of organizing adventure forums and festivals. Its headquarters are in Paris, France.

La Guilde was founded in 1967 by Patrick Edel and Joël Provansal, along with a small group of passionate young people, as the European Raid Guild expedition group. The first president was Christian Libes-Mermoz, cousin of 'The Archangel', who brought Didier Daurat, the father of Aéropostale, into the adventure. In 1970, the organization had its public launch with Paul-Émile Victor, the polar explorer, who accepted an honorary presidency for life at the first Adventure Forum. In 1971, La Guilde awarded its first Adventure Scholarships to individuals such as Maurice and Katia Krafft, Philippe de Dieuleveult, and others. In 1972, the first motorbike expeditions took place, with the Raid Orion sending about a hundred drivers across 7000 km from the Champs-Élysées to Isfahan, Iran, and Kabul, Afghanistan. In 1974, the Adventure Forum was held at the Palais des Congrès, featuring the sailboat Damien. In 1977, La Guilde launched the first international festival of adventure in La Plagne. Over the decades, La Guilde evolved into a leading French organization for international volunteering and solidarity, supporting hundreds of projects worldwide. It is recognized as a public utility organization and is accredited for Civic Service and International Solidarity Volunteering (VSI).

• 1977

  First international festival of adventure launched in La Plagne.

• 1974

  Adventure Forum held at the Palais des Congrès.

• 1972

  First motorbike expeditions: Raid Orion from Paris to Isfahan and Kabul.

• 1971

  First Adventure Scholarships awarded.

• 1970

  Public launch with Paul-Émile Victor at the first Adventure Forum.

• 1967

  Founded as the European Raid Guild expedition group by Patrick Edel and Joël Provansal.

A public utility organization that supports international solidarity, volunteering, and exploration, aiming to create meaningful and extraordinary lives.

• International Solidarity Volunteering (VSI)

  A program allowing volunteers aged 18+ to engage in international solidarity actions.

• Civic Service

  An accredited program for youth aged 18-25 to perform general interest missions.

• History & Explorations Scholarship

  A €15,000 scholarship for exploration projects with a historical dimension.

1. 1The Guild - international solidarity volunteering VSI, financing of development projectsla-guilde.org
2. 2The History & Explorations Scholarship 2026 — The Guildla-guilde.org
3. 3Our History — The Guildla-guilde.org
4. 4First French organization for sending volunteers abroad, VSI and international civic servicela-guilde.org
5. 5La Guildewikidata.org