Compagnie des Archers du Bassin: A Powerhouse of French Field Archery

In the heart of Aveyron, the Compagnie des archers du Bassin is cementing its reputation as a premier hub for archery excellence. Based in Viviez, the club has transitioned from a local sporting association to a recognized force in French archery, driven by a combination of elite international success and a rigorous developmental system for its members.

The club’s current trajectory is largely defined by the extraordinary achievements of Aurélie Autret, a standout archer whose recent performances have brought global visibility to the Viviez-based organization. Autret’s 2024-2025 season served as a masterclass in consistency and precision across multiple disciplines.

Aurélie Autret: From Viviez to the World Stage

Autret has become the “cheffe de file” (lead archer) for the Compagnie des archers du Bassin, achieving a level of success that has caught the attention of the sport’s highest governing bodies. Her 2024-2025 campaign was marked by significant milestones in both regional and international competition.

On the European stage, Autret traveled to Poland where she secured the title of individual vice-champion of Europe. Her success continued in the team format, where she became the vice-champion of Europe for the women’s team and earned a bronze medal in mixed doubles. Beyond Europe, Autret represented France at the World Games in China, finishing 9th.

Domestically, her dominance in field archery (tir campagne) is well-documented. She is a regional field archery champion and placed 4th in the French field archery championship. She also demonstrated her versatility by ranking 9th in the French Olympic archery championship.

These achievements have earned her a place of honor in the official publication of the Fédération française de tir à l’arc (French Archery Federation). The federation’s book dedicates several pages to Autret, featuring photos of her podium finishes and highlighting the impact of the Compagnie des archers du Bassin on the national scene.

The Roussennac Tradition: Field Archery Excellence

A critical component of the club’s success is its commitment to field archery, a discipline that tests archers in natural terrain. The club frequently utilizes its site in Roussennac for high-stakes competitions. Most recently, the club organized a field archery contest in Roussennac on April 4 and 5, 2026.

This venue has a history of hosting elite talent. In April 2025, the site hosted the regional field archery championship, bringing together the top archers from the Occitanie region. The club’s ability to organize and compete in these events—including previous outings such as the contest in Sansac-de-Marmiesse organized by the Aurillac club—underscores its operational strength and competitive reach.

Developing the Next Generation: The ‘Passage de Flèches’

While Autret provides the elite inspiration, the Compagnie des archers du Bassin maintains a robust pipeline of talent through the “passage de flèches” (arrow passages). This institutionalized progression system allows beginners to increase their difficulty level by gradually extending their shooting distance toward Olympic standards. For experienced archers, these passages serve as a benchmark for performance across various distances.

The club recently concluded its indoor season with a badge passage event on February 14, 2026. Several members were recognized for their progression:

• Irina Puech: Obtained the yellow feather (plume jaune).
• Otto FanJat: Earned the white arrow (flèche blanche).
• Ethan Miroff: Secured the black arrow (flèche noire).
• Guilhem Puech: Secured the black arrow (flèche noire).

This culture of progression is a long-term strategy. In April 2025, the club saw a significant wave of certifications, including Sonia Dantin, who earned white, black, blue, red, and yellow feathers, and Loïc Perez, who obtained white, black, and blue arrows. Other successful archers included Apolline Olivier (white and black), Ruben Dilinger (white), André Dilinger (black and blue), Léna Neveu (black), and Cédric Olivier (black).

Technical Context: Field Archery vs. Olympic Archery

For those unfamiliar with the distinctions, the “tir campagne” (field archery) mentioned in the club’s recent successes differs significantly from the Olympic style. While Olympic archery takes place on a flat field at a fixed distance, field archery requires athletes to shoot at targets placed at varying distances and elevations throughout a natural landscape, often requiring the archer to judge distance and account for slopes.

The Compagnie des archers du Bassin’s specialization in this area is a key driver of its regional prestige, as seen in Autret’s regional championship title and the club’s frequent organization of field events in Roussennac.

Summary of Aurélie Autret’s 2024-2025 Accolades

As the outdoor season progresses, the Compagnie des archers du Bassin continues to bridge the gap between grassroots development and international podiums, ensuring that Viviez remains a focal point for archery in Aveyron.

The club’s next major milestones will follow the results of the April 2026 field archery events in Roussennac.

Do you follow the French archery circuit? Share your thoughts on the growth of field archery in the comments below.