Building connections between the people of Montpellier and the homeless

In Montpellier, Mireille Café Moderne serves as a haven for the homeless

For nearly a year now, Mireille Café Moderne has been building connections between Montpellier residents and the homeless. People in need can come to enjoy a meal, a cup of coffee, or new clothes.

Vintage furniture, colorful walls, racks filled with clothes… Mireille Café Moderne welcomes its guests in a cheerful and unique setting. But owner Julia Leclerc does more than just run a café. “What we do is also social work. We’re recognized as a true shelter for the homeless,” she explains.

A supportive and inclusive café

Mireille Café Moderne reflects the values of its founder. “For me, being modern also means showing solidarity. You can’t live in 2023 while turning a blind eye to the environment or to people starving on the streets…” argues Julia Leclerc.

Here, students, families, and Montpellier residents of all ages mingle alongside homeless people. “What delights me is that it’s a place of great social diversity. Homeless people are on the terrace, among everyone else… The only difference is that they don’t pay!” enthuses Julia Leclerc.

Today in the kitchen, Léna is preparing vegetarian dishes. It was the café’s spirit of solidarity and inclusivity that drew her in. "I want to do work that’s meaningful, where I don’t have to ask myself why I wake up in the morning. There are so many people on the streets in Montpellier; I think it’s great that there’s a place that doesn’t ignore them," she says.

A thrift store to fund meals for the homeless

The café serves between 5 and 10 free cups of coffee per day and between 50 and 60 meals per week. These are largely funded by the thrift shop’s activities. The café also sells clothing at pay-what-you-can prices. Customers donate their clothes so they can be resold.

Located at 44 Rue de l’Aiguillerie, Mireille Café Moderne is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.