quatre quarts

Quatre Quarts is a social, civic, and eco-responsible third place in Court-Saint-Etienne, built around a cooperative model that puts people at the center. Housed in the former train station, it combines a welcoming café-cantine, a program of cultural and community activities, and several adaptable rooms for workshops, meetings, small group gatherings, concerts, talks, and larger events. Its kitchen emphasizes seasonal, organic, and local food, with meals served during the week and snacks available throughout the day. The space is designed to encourage conviviality, exchange, and shared experiences, making it both a neighborhood meeting place and a hub for collective creativity. The project was founded in 2015 by Valérie Ridelle, Pauline Gérard, and Laurence Fonsny. Around its original four pillars—cantine, artisanat, lecture, and ateliers—the cooperative has grown into a broader ecosystem of activities aligned with its values. Its team is not limited to a single staff structure: the initiative is carried by cooperators, volunteers, and contributors who participate in the life of the place and its democratic governance. Quatre Quarts also works with Quatre Quarts Citoyens ASBL, which supports the cooperative, helps manage annex spaces and events, and promotes socially and culturally oriented activities at accessible prices. The mission is to create an inclusive, locally rooted place for social connection, cultural creation, knowledge-sharing, solidarity, and environmentally conscious community life.