Starting from the observation that Mary-Magdalene occupies a special place among patron saints for the compagnons of the Tour de France, the author provides an analysis of her position in an effort to establish its legitimacy. The holy sinner in fact has a very close relationship to men. As prostitute and hermit, she leads them to paths of nature and shows them their own condition. Consequently, she offers certain guarantees of attaining full virility, herself being thought of in the masculine mode. She thus crystalizes the aspirations of journeymen societies intent on producing complete men.