At only 20 years old, Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch already has a nice track record. This stonecutting student won the title of Best Apprentice in France this year and the gold medal at the New Aquitaine Trades Olympiad. However, he began his studies with economics.
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It is an atypical journey to say the least, that of Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch. This young man from Charente wanted to join Sciences Po, but as he was unable to do so, he began a degree in economic and social administration (AES).
A radical change of direction
And then, doubt set in and he decided to radically change path : “I really liked the degree itself, but looking further afield, I couldn’t see myself staying in an office. I thought about it for several months and having tested stone cutting at college during a workshop, I said to myself : even if it means changing lanes, you might as well do that. I contacted the person who led this workshop and she helped me find training. At worst, if it hadn’t worked, it would have been an experience. »
Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch in action
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© Armand Léger
The young man therefore joined the Léonard de Vinci high school in Blanquefort, in Gironde, in September 2023 to prepare for a professional baccalaureate in stone trades and arts. Work-study training with internships in a company in Léognan, south of Bordeaux.
Starting from a block of stone and creating the desired sculpture is very satisfying.
Ange-Hyppolite Le FlochBest Apprentice of France 2024
Today, Ange-Hyppolite has really found what makes him tick: “Starting from a block of stone, doing what you want with it and creating the desired sculpture or size is very satisfying. What I would like in the future would be to work on interesting buildings, beautify them and see the customer’s satisfaction once the work is completed. »
Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch during the presentation of his diploma as Best Apprentice of France
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© Armand Léger
The rewards keep coming
One of Ange-Hyppolite’s teachers then suggested that he take part in competitions. He signs up for Best Apprentice in France where he must create a piece in 40 hours in the workshop, at home or in the company where he is working. A significant investment in addition to studies: “It’s a lot of thinking about things that I didn’t know, but I was helped a lot, in particular by my teacher who is also a “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”.
The sculpture which gave Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch the title of Best Apprentice of France
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© Armand Léger
The piece that won Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch the gold medal at the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Trades Olympiad
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© Armand Léger
It was a lot of pressure, everyone gave their all and that made the medal even sweeter.
Ange-Hyppolite Le FlochGold medalist at the Skills Olympics
A few months later, the young Charentais took part in the New Aquitaine Trades Olympiad and won the gold medal. Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch remembers : « It was a lot of pressure, a high level. Of the five candidates, there were three Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. Everyone gave their all and that’s what made the moment so beautiful and made the medal even sweeter. »
Ange-Hyppolite Le Floch will now prepare for the general competitive exam.
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© Armand Léger
Two other competitions in preparation
A great journey for the young man who will now continue his studies at the Blanquefort professional high school until August 2025 and is already preparing for other competitions. His gold medal at the Olympiad gives him access to the French Championships which will take place in Marseille next October. He will participate and has also registered for the general trade competition, on the advice of his teacher.
