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One of the cheapest solidarity canteens in Île-de-France is in danger of closing down

undefined undefined 29 juillet 2025 undefined 12h00

undefined undefined 31 juillet 2025 undefined 09h24

The Editor

© Shutterstock - SeventyFour

Just 15 minutes from Paris, the lovely cantine of La Pagaille feeds workers and people in precarious situations with a pay-what-you-can menu. As this kind of initiative becomes rarer, the establishment may soon have to close its doors due to cuts in state funding. A donation campaign has been launched.

After the Gaîté Lyrique, lively but standing strong, and the Pavillon des Canaux, on the brink of sinking, it's now a solidarity restaurant that's sounding the alarm. The cantine de la Pagaille, a cheerful spot in Ivry-sur-Seine (94) run by several collectives and associations, is at risk of closing.  

After 5 years of loyal service, it is facing a drop of 77% in its funding, just like many other associations in the area. “We’ve realized that without financial support, our model won’t survive,” shares Julie Diler, the coordinator of the place, with our colleagues from Actu Paris. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched on Friday.Get ready for July 25, 2025, to try to keep the structure open thanks to citizen donations. 


Unbeatable Prices 

Located in a recycling center, La Cantine de la Pagaille serves meals from Tuesday to Saturday that are as good for your belly as for your wallet. Every lunchtime, a small team of volunteers from associations like Les Bokhalés come to lend a hand and create delicious dishes.

The Chaud Bouillon cooks on-site using fresh ingredients, often organic, gathered from unsold items. On the menu: starter, main course, dessert, and there's always a vegetarian, vegan, or halal option, so everyone can enjoy a delicious meal.

The price itself is flexible – everyone contributes what they can. “If the fair price for a meal is estimated at €7 to maintain balance, people who come to the Canteen pay an average of €4.50,” reveals the organization on Instagram. This precious formula is especially valuable for the beneficiaries of the Communal Social Action Center (CCAS), for whom this lunch may be the only meal of the day. With employees from nearby businesses and regulars from the neighborhood, the atmosphere is relaxed and family-like. On average, 80 meals are served each day.


10,000€ to Get Through the Summer 

If the canteen is reaching out for help today, it’s because they are running out of resources. The public funding they partially relied on has dwindled in recent months. The catering missions, once occasional but helpful, have become scarce, the management explains, due to budget cuts among partner collectives. The result: four employees at risk, and an organization that won't survive more than a few months without support. Hence, the launch of a fundraising campaign on Hello Asso, with a clear goal: to raise 10,000€ to cover August salaries, even with the closure during the summer holidays. The canteen hopes to reopen at the start of the new school year, if the strength of the collective works its magic once again.

The Canteen of Pagaille 
15, rue Ernest-Renan – Ivry-sur-Seine (94) 
From Tuesday to Saturday, 12 PM to 2 PM
More info
Donation