That's the 'smoking ban'. Same as here in the U.K.
The Telegraph
By Henry Samuel in Paris
Last Updated: 11:06PM BST 23 Sep 2008
According to the newspaper Le Figaro, restaurant closures have soared by 25 per cent from last year, as custom fell by between 10 and 30 per cent in the first quarter. Cafes and bars saw closures shoot up by 56 per cent, with owners complaining that the new smoking ban in eateries since Jan 1 had chased regulars away.
Brenda
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Sure, there's been some casualties in the café trade just have there have in any other service industry. I'm not sure it's totally down to the smoking ban though. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants that are surviving quite nicely, thank you. There are also plenty more new cafés springing up. These very quickly become popular because of the novelty factor, they find their own clientele which then become regulars, and the whole circle starts again.
I don't know if Saumur have different perspectives, but there are very few sandwich bars here. The only one I can think of co-exists quite nicely almost right next door to one of the busiest cafés in town!
Glad to hear it! It would be such a loss. I was hoping the reports id read were an exaggeration.
I'd forgotten about the smoke ban. Smoking on pavements in cafes is still permitted and I trust the french wont let the law get in the way of a good time.
------------- John
May....Le Port De Limeuil, Dordogne Aug....Trinite sur Mer, Sth Brittany
Just to make myself really unpopular. I am just checking my e mails from South of France! I don't know why you are all at home! Its 25 and sunny during the day but I must admit it goes down to 3 degrees at night! The place is really cheap and desserted! I have just lit up a ciggy at a cafe enjoying the sunshine-the french haven't lost the plot- I fear its us that have! I have already changed my ferry crossing once and I can feel another alteration coming on! France is not just for July and August! I guess sooner or later I am going to have to join "the you missing France" society as sooner or later I will have to work to pay for this little lot! See you alll soon! Au Revoir!
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Im dreading the long journey up tomorrow but have had a great time and would definately recommend coming out of season if poss its even better- and I didn't think that possible!
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Val and everyone- you were absolutely right-thank you! I would recommend Argeles Sur Mer and that area in late Sept/October! Mad climate! It was 25 and sunny most days but boy did it get cold on an evening! Down to 3 or 4 degrees! The sites were fantastic. The area desserted.I now have the bug to go early in the season- I can't stand the thought of putting everything away until next summer! February/March time- please tell me it will be OK -a whole winter without camping-how??!!!!!!!
Nasty of you to mention it - the rest of us were just trying to get our heaqds back to the UK. What with all the nasty financial news - we ALL miss France - silly boy ------ Silly question
Ina Have you been to the South West early in the season? I am nearly suicidal since I have been back! I just can't put everything away without planning another trip! I was wondering about Southern Spain in January/Februray. Have you done this?!
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Quote: Originally posted by jeanm on 11/10/2008
Ina Have you been to the South West early in the season? I am nearly suicidal since I have been back! I just can't put everything away without planning another trip! I was wondering about Southern Spain in January/Februray. Have you done this?!
Jean
It's funny that you should ask that: we've never been away that time of year either (at least not to Spain) and since coming back nearly 2 weeks ago, I too have been wondering where we could go between now and next May, when we normally would go again.
I suppose it sounds rather spoilt, we go away twice a year for about 6 weeks and all through winter we go away in this country too, but since being able to go for longer and more often, I have found that I just want to be away in the van again as soon as I get home.
I would have thought that Southern Spain at that time of year should be quite nice, after all, how many people go away for 3 or 4 months over winter to escape the weather here? I should think that it would be pleasant rather than really warm or hot at that time, but surely better than over here.