Les Petites Cantines

Les Petites Cantines is a French non-profit network of neighbourhood canteens (cantines de quartier) that brings people together over shared meals. Its stated purpose is to use food as a vehicle for creating quality relationships and building a society based on trust. The canteens are open to all, and meals are described as sustainable, participatory and offered at a free price (prix libre). The network relies on mutual aid and collective intelligence rather than a traditional restaurant model. The first canteen opened in Lyon's 9th arrondissement in 2016, founded by Étienne Thouvenot and Diane Dupré la Tour, a former journalist. The network itself was formally created on 11 May 2019 under an eponymous association. Since then it has expanded to numerous cities across France, including Aix-en-Provence, Annecy, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Marseille, Metz, Mulhouse, Paris 13e, Strasbourg and others. Each canteen is run locally but shares the same charter and values. As a non-profit, Les Petites Cantines is not a listed company and does not operate for profit. It generates support through donations, partnerships, membership (adhésion) and the sale of aprons, and it offers guidance to people who want to open a canteen in their own neighbourhood. The organisation publishes key figures and social impact information, positioning itself as a social enterprise addressing isolation and community cohesion through everyday food practices.

Les Petites Cantines began with a single canteen opened in the 9th arrondissement of Lyon in 2016 by Étienne Thouvenot and Diane Dupré la Tour, a former journalist. The idea was to create a welcoming neighbourhood space where people could cook and eat together, breaking social isolation through the simple act of sharing a meal. The meals were designed to be participatory — diners take part in preparation and service — and sustainable, with a free-price model that allows everyone to contribute what they can. The initiative resonated, and the founders soon began to structure it as a network. On 11 May 2019, the network was formally created under an eponymous association (association éponyme), giving the growing collection of canteens a shared legal and organisational framework. The association provides a charter, resources and an accompaniment programme for people who want to open a canteen in their own neighbourhood. Over the following years, Les Petites Cantines expanded across France. By the time of the French Wikipedia entry, canteens were listed in Aix-en-Provence, Annecy, Bagnolet, Beausoleil, Bordeaux, Bruz, Chambéry, Croix, Forez, Grenoble, Lyon (Perrache and Vieux Lyon), Mâcon, Marseille, Metz, Mulhouse, Oullins, Paris 13e, Strasbourg, Tassin-la-demi-Lune, Villefranche-sur-Saône and Villeurbanne. Each location operates locally but adheres to the network's charter and values. The organisation is a non-profit and relies on a mix of donations, partnerships, membership fees and merchandise (such as aprons) to sustain its activities. It publishes key figures and social impact reports, and it positions itself as a contributor to a society founded on trust. The network continues to grow, with the official website inviting visitors to come to a canteen, open a canteen, join the support programme, or become a partner.

• 2019

  The network was formally created on 11 May 2019 under an eponymous association.

• 2016

  First canteen opened in the 9th arrondissement of Lyon by Étienne Thouvenot and Diane Dupré la Tour.

Non-profit, community-based, participatory and sustainable dining at a free price.

• Participatory meals

  Meals prepared and served with the participation of diners.

• Pay-what-you-want meals

  Meals offered at a free price (prix libre).

• Aprons

  Aprons sold to support the network, for individuals or businesses.

1. 1Les Petites Cantines official websitelespetitescantines.org
2. 2Les Petites Cantines - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Les Petites Cantines - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org