Located in the historic docklands district of Bordeaux (Gironde), the distinctive feature of the Jardin Pêcheur restaurant is that it employs people with disabilities that are mainly mental health related. Twenty disabled people, none of whom had access to the workplace, were recruited in partnership with Maison de l’Emploi, Cap Emploi and Pôle Emploi (French employment centres). They include ten young people who completed training at the nearby Talence hotel school. Eventually, the restaurant aims to employ 40 full-time equivalents.With a capacity of 300 seats, the restaurant was designed by architect Marc Eyssartier. 

The Eiffage Foundation has been supporting the Bordeaux-based project since 2013, with the help of Bernard Mousnier, a retired employee of the Construction division, who has been involved in the project on a voluntary basis from the planning stages right through to overseeing the construction site. The official opening of the restaurant on Friday 10 March was attended by Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux, and all the partners involved in the project.
This project is a spin-off of a restaurant concept that already existed in Trélissac (Dordogne) and which has been hugely successful since it opened in 2007 (employing up to 20 people in the high season). It was inspired by the conclusion there were no jobs adapted to the difficulties faced by young people with mental health issues, either in the mainstream or the adapted employment market. 

The Eiffage Foundation provides financial support for community initiatives that favour the professional integration of people in difficulty. The projects are supported by current or retired Eiffage Group employees. Since 2008, more than 170 projects have received funding with the help of 200 Eiffage employees.

Why not submit your project to the Eiffage Foundation by downloading the funding application form at eiffage.com > Foundation