AUTUMN COMES TO PARIS

September 11th 2025

On Thursday, the Paris Art Refuge team were back in the CEDRE day centre after the summer break. A gentle process and a light touch were needed to start back in again in a very fragile political context. France has – yet again – changed Prime Minister and the autumn seems set to continue as another season of strikes, popular protests and demonstrations.

There was a distinctly autumnal feel to the air and scattered showers, so we set up the table in the « salle Salaam », where some exhausted men were sleeping on sofas. Some very serious and non compromising games of Jenga seemed to pave the way for conversations about past and present : fishing off the coast of Algeria, hairdressing, or poignant feelings of hopelessness.

The people we meet are often the only family member to make the journey, and the strain to make a success of things can be a heavy load to bear. « I can work ! » said one man, explaining that he was ready to take on any job and work hard. His last employer fired him after he was the victim of a dangerous work incident : a window fell onto his arm and he was hospitalised. His employer had no insurance. « I’ve lost everything » said another young man with tears in his eyes. « I can’t stay here and I can’t go back ».

Meanwhile various constructions sprung up to make a kind of village including towers, a fantasy house with a jacuzzi and a house on the ruins. One man shyly made three little plasticine cats. A child played with model cars as his mother placed bricks carefully together.

Just outside the comforting space of the CEDRE day centre, we witnessed a heavy police presence : armed officers taking apart the nearby street stands and standing people against walls. The stark contrast strengthened our conviction that the respite offered by the CEDRE and Art Refuge is absolutely essential.

Words by Kate France & Naomi Press.