Atelier du Pignon

L’Atelier du Pignon is a bicycle self-repair workshop and association in Nantes, France, where members work on their own bikes with support from volunteers and staff. The workshop provides common and specialist cycle-repair tools, reusable second-hand parts salvaged from unusable bicycles, and the consumables needed for repairs. Rather than offering repairs as a service performed for customers, it helps people learn to maintain and fix their own bicycles, build practical skills, and share what they learn with others.

The association promotes solidarity, independent cycling, and responsible reuse. Working with partner organisations, it helps recover bicycles that might otherwise be discarded, repairing and returning them to use or sorting them for reusable parts. This approach reduces waste and makes repair parts more accessible to people on modest budgets. Members can attend scheduled workshop sessions, including a chosen-mixity session and a regular communal workshop event. Annual membership is arranged on site during opening hours, with contributions ranging from €10 to €60 or more according to income.