Another thing about France…
Another thing about France…
Maybe it’s just the rose-tinted hindsight of age, but when I first toured in France in the mid-eighties, I recollect being able to find a decent, reasonable, interesting French meal in most small towns. Same again, if less easy, in the late nineties. Whereas now, unless I want to dress up for something a bit fancy (which I can’t!), I seem to be restricted usually to pizza, doner kebab (admittedly vastly better than the British version), Moroccan merguez/frites, or MacDonalds. Anyone agree or disagree?
-
- Posts: 1716
- Joined: 8 Dec 2007, 10:26am
Re: Another thing about France…
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
Although implausible claims on cycle touring forums remain reliably implausible.
Although implausible claims on cycle touring forums remain reliably implausible.
Re: Another thing about France…
andymiller wrote:Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
Although implausible claims on cycle touring forums remain reliably implausible.
I would tend to support the OP - same with small bars/cafes
little by little labour laws are biting in France?
-
- Posts: 267
- Joined: 5 Oct 2012, 9:22pm
Re: Another thing about France…
Most certainly not the case in Provence.Some truly wonderful meals were to be had on our trip in May.We were paying around 20 Euro for a set 3 course meal.Excellent value and ensured we didn't use our stove once..
We were always wearing combat trousers, T shirt and cycling shoes.Never had any problems.
We were always wearing combat trousers, T shirt and cycling shoes.Never had any problems.
Re: Another thing about France…
ah hindsight being 20/20....!
Re: Another thing about France…
They are still there but not as many, some of the B&B hotel chains have a restaurant attached which do a good plat du jour and in the small towns there are still one or two maybe. I stopped a small to medium sized town a couple of years ago and all that was open was a small pizza place, nice but not what I was after. Place was like a ghost town after 7!
Re: Another thing about France…
A lot of smaller French restaurants now are doing reheated meals. Look for one with a small menu and you'll probably be OK.
Also, it's a little-known fact (and surprising) that France has the most McDonalds outlets of any country in Europe!
Also, it's a little-known fact (and surprising) that France has the most McDonalds outlets of any country in Europe!
Re: Another thing about France…
hamster wrote:Also, it's a little-known fact (and surprising) that France has the most McDonalds outlets of any country in Europe!
Apart from Germany (1,440 vs. 1,258).
All 2012 data here ...https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At6CC4x_yBnMdG5NcUZTNkkxN2dBRHQzWFVJbHZHMFE&usp=sharing#gid=0
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get
Re: Another thing about France…
But Germany has a population over 80 million, compared to approx 60 million in France...MaccyD's per head is higher...
Re: Another thing about France…
Yes, but that's not what you originally said. If it is that statistic you are interested in, the same data shows Austria and Sweden both beat that figure (as do Liechtenstein, San Marino, Andorra and Monaco but from a much smaller sample source).
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get
Re: Another thing about France…
Depopulation in rural villages is a huge issue in rural France (and to a lesser degree in the UK where distances are less, we're a smaller busier country) and the loss of the local baker/patisserie and shop is a big problem.
Was touring Normandy last year and the Loire the year before and it was common to see a boarded up shop or bar/restaurant in lots of wee rural villages where I presume people had moved to urban areas or drove to hypermarkets in local market towns and the local shop was no longer viable. Not good for cycle tourists and we often arrived at a village shown on the map expecting to be able to eat or re-provision only to be disappointed.
The corollary to this is the more frequently encountered petrol station with a shop I suppose. Much less fun!
Was touring Normandy last year and the Loire the year before and it was common to see a boarded up shop or bar/restaurant in lots of wee rural villages where I presume people had moved to urban areas or drove to hypermarkets in local market towns and the local shop was no longer viable. Not good for cycle tourists and we often arrived at a village shown on the map expecting to be able to eat or re-provision only to be disappointed.
The corollary to this is the more frequently encountered petrol station with a shop I suppose. Much less fun!
Re: Another thing about France…
When in French towns at lunchtime, I tend to wait about and see where the workers head for lunch. They are an excellent barometer of good and cheap cuisine!
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: 9 Mar 2010, 3:43pm
Re: Another thing about France…
I toured Brittany last year and Normandy this year - I had no difficulty in finding either a boulangerie/patisserie in almost every village. In addition, I found plenty of the type of hostelries mentioned by the OP in all but the smallest of villages. I may have just got lucky, but for me the French dream lives on.
Re: Another thing about France…
ScotchEgg wrote:When in French towns at lunchtime, I tend to wait about and see where the workers head for lunch. They are an excellent barometer of good and cheap cuisine!
There'll often be a few white vans parked outside!
Ray
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt - Bertrand Russell
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt - Bertrand Russell
Re: Another thing about France…
That is true enough in those areas, but in other regions they are disappearing rapidly. Until less than 10 years ago any small cluster buildings would contain a bar and a boulangerie, but in recent years I have often had to divert into larger villages or even small towns to find a boulangerie and even in the larger villages there may only be a depot de pain. A couple of years ago I rode 30 miles of very rural roads and tiny villages before I gave in and diverted to a small town to get my breakfast. As noted by others, vans outside a restaurant or a hotel at lunchtime are a good sign and every couple of days I take a lunchtime meal instead of in the evening. It is much cheaper and you often get to share a table and a bottle of wine with locals and lorry drivers.chesterpete wrote:I toured Brittany last year and Normandy this year - I had no difficulty in finding either a boulangerie/patisserie in almost every village.