Les Beaux Mets in Marseille is the first prison restaurant open to the public in France. Operated by the Festin association, it aims to destigmatize inmates while facilitating their professional integration. Good news: this social inclusion project has just received an award just two years after opening.
Les Beaux Mets: a bistronomic restaurant in the heart of the Baumettes prison in Marseille
Close to the Calanque de Morgiou, in the grounds of the Baumettes prison, the former women’s area has been transformed to house the Les Beaux Mets restaurant. The kitchen, which opens onto a dining room that can seat 42 guests, serves as a rehabilitation tool for inmates, offering them an opportunity for training. Under the direction of chef Sandrine Sollier, her team prepares refined dishes every day, from Monday to Friday, using fresh, local and seasonal produce.
In practical terms, Les Beaux Mets is located within the SAS (Structure d’Accompagnement vers la Sortie). “An SAS is an innovative facility designed to actively prepare incarcerated people for their release from prison, through enhanced connections with the outside world. The SAS at Les Baumettes saw the light of day in 2018 and accommodates 80 places. Although there are several SASs in France today, the one in Marseille is the first in France. It receives people who have been convicted for good (men) and have between 6 months and 2 years left on their sentence,” explains Les Beaux Mets.
The first prison restaurant to be awarded an ecologically-sound label
While the concept took France by surprise when it arrived on November 15, 2022, it has already been crowned with its first culinary award: an ecotable macaron. A restaurant awarded the 1 Ecotable label is a committed establishment that can continue to improve (since a restaurant can be awarded up to 3 Ecotable macaroons). It meets the following criteria:
- 15% of its products come from organic or sustainable agriculture.
- Dishes are prepared on site using fresh, raw ingredients.
- Fruits and vegetables grown in France are seasonal.
- The menu includes at least one vegetarian dish.
- The establishment systematically sorts its waste.
- All eggs and egg products are organic or specified as free-range (code 0 or 1).
- A doggy bag is available for customers who don’t finish their meal.
- On site, I serve my customers in reusable crockery.
- To take away, customers can bring their own containers.
As you can see, the ecotable is more about rewarding the ecological impact of establishments than, say, menu diversity. Nevertheless, we can assure you that you’re in for a treat at Beaux Mets! The menu includes a Mediterranean-style stuffed zucchini flower, a tournedos barded with Nori leaves and a vacherin glacé with fruits of the sun. All this for menus with starter, main course and dessert ranging from 25 to 35 euros. A delight we can only recommend!
📍 Traverse de Rabat, Marseilles 9th arrondissement