The number of cafes in France has declined 80%

In 1960, France had 200,000 cafes, said Bernard Quartier, president of the National Federation of Cafes, Brasseries and Discotheques. Now it has fewer than 41,500.

And this was before the credit crunch.

Given that cafe society in places like England, has grown massively in the same period, this shows quite how extraordinary France would have appeared then.

One Response to “The number of cafes in France has declined 80%”

  1. Geri Says:

    It’s a massive shame about the decline in French cafe culture… you can say that business has increased in the UK but if you’re referring to the thousands more Starbucks, it’s just not the same kettle of fish. Like they say, it’s the life and soul of a village or town over there - like the village pub here.

    Apparently even though the smoking ban came in, there’s still the same amount of pollution in those cafes that are still up and running, due to the fact cafe owners keep the doors wide open and the “smoking area” is in front!
    There’s another article on it here, which is worth a look…
    http://www.foodeu.com/articles/French+Cafe+Business+In+Freefall.aspx

    Thanks, Geri

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