A New Proposal to bring Bistros and Cafés back to small towns in France – Today Monday, March 10th, 2025, the French National Assembly will discuss a new law aimed at reviving bistros and cafés in villages with fewer than 3,500 people. The proposal, led by former Macronist minister Guillaume Kasbarian, seeks to make it easier for these towns to open such establishments.
Currently, opening bistro or café requires purchasing a special license (License IV) from another business, but Kasbarian wants to relax this rule in small towns that lack such establishments. The idea is to help revitalize rural areas and provide more social spaces for residents, many of whom have seen shops and services disappear.
However, the proposal has sparked debate, particularly about the health risks of alcohol. Some argue that public health could be negatively impacted, with alcohol causing 41,000 premature deaths annually. Others defend the proposal, claiming that rural areas need more places for social interaction and that access to alcohol can easily be found at supermarkets.
The law was first tested in 2019, and Kasbarian’s new bill looks to make it permanent. One example is Eglise-Neuve-de-Vergt, a village where the local guinguette (a type of outdoor café) was granted a License IV in 2019. The mayor there hopes the license will help bring back a bar, grocery store, and bakery to the village.
While some worry that the licenses could end up in larger, wealthier towns, others believe this law could breathe new life into rural areas that have long lacked social spaces. The debate will continue in the Assembly, with lawmakers considering whether the law should allow more flexibility or impose stricter regulations.
What do you think? Have you seen your local village bar or grocery store disappear? Do you think it's an important part of the local community? Feel free to comment on our FB page or send your comments to studio@rivieraradio.mc
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