A vast bourgeois house on three levels, in a quiet street in Rouen (Seine-Maritime) with a name kept secret.
Downstairs in the sun-swept kitchen, Shirley sips a glass of water.
This young woman who is four months pregnant has just been kicked out by her family.
Oriented by family planning, her call for help led her to the Maison de Marthe et Marie, a solidarity shared apartment where young professionals and future mothers in difficult circumstances live together (for 310 euros in monthly rent) (all must be adults and expecting their first child) to allow the reception of future children in the best possible conditions.
Read alsoThe “roommate” between retirees, a real alternative to nursing homes
For two days, Shirley has known the sex of her future baby.
"He's a boy and I can't wait for him to be born," says the 23-year-old mother-to-be.
Then his face darkened: “This new house, I feel good there, safe.
I would like it to affect my morale but I can't help but feel bad.
I no longer have a family to support me.
I cry for nothing”.
Shared accommodation has existed for less than a year in Rouen, but the Marthe et Marie association is not at its first attempt: in 12 years, it has set up 7 shared accommodations, in 6 cities in France.
Since the first shared house, 121 babies have been born in these places of life.
In Rouen, the project was wanted by an association linked to the diocese, which contacted La Maison de Marthe et Marie.
Comforting presences
With its eight bedrooms, the Rouen house is large enough not to be on top of each other.
When, on the other hand, she needs company, Shirley finds “comforting presences” with her roommates.
For the moment, a young mother and her one-month-old child also live in the house, as well as three "volunteers" in professional activity.
The inhabitants dine together once a week and the meal is prepared in turn.
In her bedroom with its old parquet floor, Marie telecommutes in front of her computer.
At the age of 24, this Strasbourg resident joined the solidarity shared accommodation in Rouen to do useful work.
Marie steers her boat well and has a whole host of outdoor activities.
And when it's possible, she gives a hand to her neighbor for the preparation of bottles, meals, to give the bath.
Strong ties can arise from this cohabitation, explains Amélie de Robillard, manager of the Rouen branch of La Maison Marthe et Marie: “Sometimes, we accompany to ultrasounds.
In another roommate, it even happened that a volunteer came to support the delivery because the two women had become very close”.
"When they leave here, the mothers are equipped"
Amélie de Robillard, manager of the Rouen branch of La Maison Marthe et Marie
But there are also the inevitable fights.
"Cohabitation is not always easy, mothers are sometimes quite dented," says Amélie de Robillard.
Marie confirms the difficulties… “which the presence of a cute baby” nonetheless puts into perspective.
“And then now, I realize that women go through unimaginable situations.
To find yourself alone with a baby, almost on the street, you really have to have experienced terrible things.
In some unused rooms of the house, pile up baby mattresses, changing tables, strollers, cuddly toys and birth clothes.
The premises have been furnished thanks to donations, still numerous a year after the opening.
“When they leave here, the mothers are equipped, they don't need to buy anything,” explains Amélie de Robillard.
The roommate generally ends when the baby is one year old, but mothers can of course leave before, if they feel ready.
Or they are referred to a home if their situation remains complicated.
Three rooms are currently free within the shared apartment.
