One-euro university meals spark massive queues and staff protests in Paris
The expansion of the 1 € meal scheme to all students has led to long lines and overcrowding at Paris university cafeterias, prompting union unrest.
A 1 € meal program, originally limited to scholarship recipients, was opened to all students in May, causing a sharp rise in demand at university restaurants such as the Crous site in Paris' 5th arrondissement and the Pierre et Marie Curie campus of Sorbonne Université. Students report waiting up to 40 minutes and often cannot find a seat, leading some to skip the service altogether. The Centre national des oeuvres universitaires notes a 22 % increase in meals served since the start of the term.
Unions representing cafeteria staff have warned of chronic understaffing and announced a strike, demanding 500 new jobs and equipment upgrades. Minister of Higher Education Philippe Baptiste announced an increased budget for 2027 to fund compensation, equipment, and possible hiring, though specific figures were not disclosed. Protesters gathered outside the campus to denounce the “apocalyptic” working conditions caused by the scheme’s popularity.
