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Report: France

The homeless become Parisian guides

Former homeless people are becoming guides in Paris as part of their rehabilitation process.

Credit: Flickr/ Meg Zinbeck
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This is not your typical tourist tour. The organisation “L’Atlernative urbaine” offers an alternative look at the French capital: take a walk in the 20th district, in the east of the city, with a former homeless person as a guide.

For Selma Sardouk, the head of “L’Atlernative urbaine”, this initiative is a way that homeless people can be rehabilitated into society.

“Working as a guide gives them more self-confidence,” she says.

39-year-old Vincent was on the streets for one and a half years. He told RFI: “This work is very interesting and worthwhile. I meet different people, I talk to them, and I can teach them something.”

Vincent knows everything about Belleville and Ménilmontant, the two main neighbours of the 20th district. He shows his visitors the tiny streets, and takes them to hidden gardens in the middle of Paris. He also tells the tourists anecdotes about famous people who lived there.

The 20th district is also known for Belleville Park, and the street art which covers the walls.

The visit lasts about two hours. That is enough time to discover the secrets of this part of Paris.
 

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