"I can't take it anymore," says the companion, stationed in front of 38 avenue Paul Doumer, in Neuilly-Plaisance, in charge of regulating the incessant ballet of cars and delivery trucks.
In any event, the address is known.
Fifteen years to the day after the death of Abbé Pierre, who died on January 22, 2007, the very first Emmaus center that the famous Catholic priest founded in 1949 has not experienced the crisis.
"The customers are there, observes Jean-Paul, one of the community leaders. With inflation, there are fewer donors. But we put a lot of enthusiasm into sorting, repairing and in the end, we happens anyway. The utopia, which became a reality through the will of Abbé Pierre, is still functioning 74 years after its creation".
The story started right after the war.
Abbé Pierre, who is interested in the fate of the poorly housed, welcomes destitute people in 1949 in a bourgeois house given to him in Neuilly-Plaisance, east of Paris.
At that time, the young prelate crossed paths with Georges, a man released from prison, who confided in him his desire to die.
"I can't do anything for you, but you can do something for others," replies the young priest in a provocative tone.
The concept of "come help me help", a true pillar of the movement, was born.
A graffiti by Abbé Pierre brightens up the walls of the Emmaüs center in Neuilly-sur-Marne.
© Aude Mazoue
From Val-de-Marne to the five continents
In the 1950s, Abbé Pierre, who no longer had his mandate as a deputy, was looking for an activity to live on.
With his companions, he first turns to the rag pickers, they collect and recycle cardboard and scrap metal.
Then, with the help of the Trente Glorieuses, they collect and resell the belongings that people get rid of.
The beginnings are empirical.
But the first store, which opened in Val-de-Marne, never closed again.
Many more will open.
Today, the Emmaus movement has 337 groups, spread over 37 countries around the world.
At a time when environmental issues and the concept of the circular economy are at the heart of concerns, Abbé Pierre's idea has never seemed so avant-garde.
The concept has also inspired new resale brands that have arrived on the market in recent years.
"Companies like Leboncoin or Vinted give us a lot of competition. But we can't blame people for wanting to profit from business they bought at a high price," concedes Jean-Paul.
The Emmaüs thrift store, which is spread over two floors, offers a wide choice of clothes and accessories.
© Aude Mazoue
"Even if the environment has changed, we stay the course"
The comparison with online sites stops there.
Because Emmaüs has no commercial vocation, repeat at will the managers of the local structure.
"Abbé Pierre was certainly visionary in his desire to recycle, but above all he brought a social dimension to the project. Within our Avenir community, there are 76 companions spread over two sites. We cannot boast of leaving people out of the rut, but it's a reality. In this, communities are unique from other economic models".
However, things have changed since the creation of the movement.
"After the war, the companions who joined the community had jobs, explains Jean-Paul. Each could put his knowledge at the service of the group. One repaired the roof, the other changed a tap. Today, the companions often have no training and the work must necessarily be approved by a craftsman, which forces us to always have to bring in money to pay the bills."
The front of the toy store is full of colorful bikes and ride-ons.
© Aude Mazoue
Virtuous circle
The profile of the companions has changed a lot.
“Half of them, from immigration, have had very complicated life paths, continues the manager. They come back from very far away. They are broken, but there too, we adapt.
Outside, customers parade in numbers in the aisles of specialized stores, on the lookout for a little treasure: clothes, furniture, household appliances, toys, books, dishes.
Nothing is missing.
In the stalls and in the car park, the companions are busy helping the buyers.
They give prices of goods, help transport bulky purchases in cars.
An exercise that is not always easy when a coffee table absolutely has to fit into a C3.
"It's not easy but we'll get there, jokes Fathia, determined to leave with her find. Fortunately, I can count on the help of all these men. Which is not always the case when you buy on Leboncoin. And then, we see what we buy, we don't choose on photos. And above all, we know that the
a community is allowed to live.
And that's important", concludes the 30-year-old who closes the trunk of her vehicle, visibly happy.
A caricature of Abbé Pierre frames the home of the companions of Neuilly-sur-Marne.
© Aude Mazoue
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app