Several dozen snow-covered tents now line streets in the historic heart of Paris, providing precarious shelter to young African migrants facing the bitter winter cold. Around 300 unaccompanied minors, many seeking official recognition as minors, are spending freezing nights outdoors, confronting harsh and often dangerous conditions.
For many, this is their first experience of street life. Most come from Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Mali, and the sudden exposure to cold, uncertainty, and vulnerability marks a stark introduction to life far from home. “There’s no choice but to keep going. You just have to stay strong, make sure you don’t die,” said 16-year-old Boubacar Camara from Guinea, who sleeps in a tent near Pont Marie.
During the day, many seek temporary refuge at humanitarian centres such as the Diderot Humanitarian Shelter, run by the Salvation Army. Coordinator Helena Tellio described the mixed emotions many young migrants experience: “For many, it’s their first time seeing snow, so there’s both excitement at seeing something so unusual and fear knowing they’ll sleep outside again.”
Despite the growing number of unaccompanied minors sleeping outdoors, Paris authorities continue to stress the importance of providing shelter for all residents of these makeshift camps. The city faces an urgent humanitarian challenge as temperatures remain dangerously low.
Yet amid exhaustion, freezing temperatures, and uncertainty, the resilience and determination of these young migrants are striking. Many insist they have no choice but to keep moving, holding onto hope for safety, official recognition, and a chance at a better future in France.
