What it is
The Restos du Cœur (Restaurants of the Heart) is one of France's largest food aid charities. Beyond the famous winter campaign, many centres run distributions that stay open to students all year round, and a growing number host dedicated student sessions near campuses.
You collect a basket of staples each week. Pasta, rice, tinned vegetables, milk, eggs, fresh produce when available, plus hygiene products like shampoo and toothpaste. Some centres also serve a free hot meal on site.
🤝
No shame in using it. Food aid in France is a normal, widely used safety net. International students are explicitly welcomed, and volunteers are used to helping newcomers who are still finding their feet.
Who's eligible
Eligibility is assessed by the resource provider, but for students it is usually straightforward:
✓Enrolled students of any nationality, including Indian students on a VLS TS visa
✓Most centres ask only for student ID and proof of address. Many skip income checks entirely
✓Scholarship and non scholarship students alike
✓No minimum time in France required
💡
Tip: Policies vary by centre. Call ahead or check the centre's page. Some require a quick registration (inscription) on your first visit, which takes 10 minutes.
How to get it: step by step
- Find your nearest centreUse the official locator at restosducoeur.org or the map below. Filter for centres marked "distribution alimentaire".
- Check opening daysMost centres distribute on fixed days/times each week. Note them. Sessions can be busy, so arriving early helps.
- Register on your first visitBring your student card and a justificatif de domicile (proof of address: a lease, CAF letter, or phone bill). You'll fill a short form.
- Collect your basket weeklyAfter registering, return each week during distribution hours. Bring your own tote bags to carry everything home.
What you get & what to bring
🥫 What's typically included
- ✓Pasta, rice, flour and tinned goods
- ✓Milk, eggs and long life dairy
- ✓Fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables
- ✓Hygiene products: soap, shampoo, toothpaste
- ✓Sometimes a hot meal served on site
🎒 What to bring
- ›Your student card (carte étudiante)
- ›Proof of address (justificatif de domicile)
- ›Reusable tote or shopping bags
- ›A little patience. Say bonjour, it goes a long way
Find a centre near you
Distribution points are spread across every major city. Enter your city on the official locator to see opening hours and what each centre offers.
📍
Common questions
No. Most Restos du Cœur centres welcome any enrolled student, scholarship or not. A few apply a light means check, but many ask only for student ID and proof of address.