In France, when winter comes, you hear about the « Restos du Cœur » (literally, the restaurants of the heart). This charity has been handing out meals and support to people in need for almost forty years. It was born from an idea a comedian launched on the radio, and it is now part of French culture.
Here is its story, how it works and the vocabulary you need to talk about it.
Key takeaways
- The Restos du Cœur were founded in 1985 by the comedian Coluche.
- The charity provides food aid and support to people in difficulty, thanks to thousands of volunteers.
- Every year, the Enfoirés show raises money for the charity.
- The « loi Coluche » gives donors a tax reduction.
An idea launched on the radio
In September 1985, the comedian Coluche spoke out on the radio: in France, surplus food was being destroyed while people went hungry. He suggested opening a free canteen for the winter. Donations poured in and the first Restaurants du Cœur opened in December 1985. Coluche died in a motorbike accident in June 1986, but his idea outlived him and kept growing.
How do the Restos work?
- Food aid. The centres hand out food parcels and serve hot meals, especially during the winter campaign, which starts in late November.
- Beyond meals. The charity also helps with housing, access to rights and job searching, and offers activities for children.
- Volunteers. They are the ones who keep the Restos running all over France.
- Donations. Individuals, companies and supermarket collections fund most of the work.
Les Enfoirés, a TV event
Since the late 1980s, singers, actors and comedians have come together every year as « les Enfoirés » for a big show. The concert, broadcast on television, and its album raise significant funds for the charity each year. Their anthem, « La Chanson des Restos », written by Jean-Jacques Goldman in 1986, is known by everyone in France.
Good to know: thanks to the 1988 « loi Coluche », donations to charities that provide meals or care to people in need qualify for a larger tax reduction than standard donations.
Solidarity vocabulary
| French | English |
|---|---|
| une association | a non-profit organisation |
| un bénévole | a volunteer |
| un don, faire un don | a donation, to donate |
| l’aide alimentaire | food aid |
| une collecte | a collection drive |
| les personnes démunies | people in need |
Going further
To discover more about French society, read our articles on the symbols of France and public holidays in France. To talk about it with a native teacher, try our French conversation course or the Live French Club.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded the Restos du Cœur?
The comedian Coluche, in 1985. He launched the idea on the radio, and the first centres opened in December of the same year.
What do the Restos du Cœur do?
They provide food aid and help people in difficulty with housing, jobs and access to rights, thanks to the work of many volunteers.
Who are the Enfoirés?
A group of singers, actors and comedians who put on a big show every year to raise money for the Restos du Cœur.
What is the loi Coluche?
A 1988 law that gives a larger tax reduction for donations to charities helping people in need, such as the Restos du Cœur.
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