Four Instructions for a Dérive in an Urban Setting

Number One, also called Les Lèvres Nues et Les Lapins

Take a line, north to south, on a map. The line should be between 1.5 and 3 kilometers or between 2 and 4 miles long. Select the appropriate roads so that the route adheres as far as possible to the line drawn. Make a list of how often you have to turn left or right onto another road to maintain a proximity to the north/south line, then rotate the map by 90 degrees, but not the line. Go to where the line starts and walk using the list of turns recorded when the map was in a north/south alignment. After an hour and a half, stop and drink coffee. Congratulations, you have completed a dérive.

Number Two, also called Je Suis Une Souris Brune.

Walk to a bus stop. Take the first bus that arrives and stay on for four stops. At the fourth stop leave the bus. Take the next bus that arrives unless it is on the same route/has the same number as the bus you’ve just dismounted from. Remain on this second bus for four stops before dismounting at the fourth stop. Repeat this process ad infinitum or for an hour and a half, whichever is shorter. It is permissible to substitute two stops for four randomly. If the bus route you are on is not intersected by other bus routes then dismount. After an hour and a half, stop and drink coffee. Congratulations, you have completed a dérive.

Number Three, also called La Taupe Aveugle Voit Dans L'Obscurité

Choose a street that runs east/west or is close to that axis. Walk towards the east. Take the first turn to the right and walk onwards until there is another opportunity to take a right turn – take it. Repeat. If, by taking a right turn you are in danger of completing a circle, do not turn but walk on. Take the next left and then resume taking right turns. If in doubt, turn left. After an hour and a half, stop and drink coffee. Congratulations, you have completed a dérive.

Number Four, also called La Chauve-souris Connaît le Chemin Vers le Fruit

Walk in any direction along a road. Where there is a turning off the road you are on speak to a passerby. Explain you are conducting a Dérive and ask which way you should go. Take the passerby’s advice, unless they are rude or aggressive. In that case continue walking until the next opportunity to take a turn. Speak to a passerby, explain you are conducting a Dérive and ask which way you should go. Take the passerby’s advice, unless they are rude or aggressive. In that case continue walking until etc., etc., etc. After an hour and a half, stop and drink coffee. Congratulations, you have completed a dérive.