Marseille's Baumettes Prison Hosts Unique Restaurant

A unique bistro named Les Beaux Mets has opened inside the historic Baumettes prison in Marseille, France. The restaurant is staffed by inmates who are undergoing reintegration training. To dine there, visitors like Rémy Todesco must pass through security checks and deposit their mobile phones and personal belongings in lockers.

Todesco, a 41-year-old resident of Toulon, recalls that his parents used to threaten him with the prison when he was a child. The establishment aims to teach inmates values such as teamwork, politeness, and rigor. The concept transforms a notorious correctional facility into a place where civilians can experience the positive aspects of rehabilitation.

Dining at Les Beaux Mets requires navigating strict security measures typical of a maximum-security facility. Guests must arrive at the entrance of the Baumettes prison and wait for a guard to escort them inside.

Before passing the security control, visitors are required to leave all personal items in lockers. This includes mobile phones, personal belongings, and any cash they may be carrying. The process ensures that no prohibited items enter the secure facility.

Rémy Todesco, a 41-year-old man from Toulon, experienced this process firsthand. He arrived at the prison gates and prepared to enter one of the most legendary prisons in France.

For many locals, Baumettes represents a place of fear and punishment. Rémy Todesco noted that his parents used the prison as a threat when he was a child. They would tell him, "If you do stupid things, you will end up in Baumettes."

As a child, Todesco would swallow hard, imagining what his life would be like locked behind those bars. Today, however, his relationship with the facility has changed completely. He is not entering the prison for committing "too many stupid things," but rather to support a positive initiative.

Todesco views his visit as a statement of support. "Coming to eat today is like saying that there are also positive things here," he said. He is one of eight civilians dining at the bistro.

The restaurant, Les Beaux Mets, is described as one of the most singular bistros in Marseille. It is installed in the heart of the prison, serving as a training ground for inmates.

Inmates at the restaurant are in a reintegration phase. They are responsible for cooking the food, waiting on tables, and serving guests. Through this work, they learn a new life and acquire professional skills.

The initiative focuses on transmitting specific values to the participants. The environment is designed to teach:

• Values of social coexistence
• Politeness and manners
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Professional rigor

The opening of Les Beaux Mets represents a significant shift in how Baumettes prison is perceived by the local community. By allowing civilians to enter the facility for a dining experience, the prison bridges the gap between the outside world and the incarcerated population. The restaurant serves as a testament to the potential for rehabilitation, proving that even within the confines of a prison, positive development and skill acquisition are possible. Guests leave not only with a meal but with a new perspective on the people inside the walls.