“Now we must revolt!
We need the revolution, the hotel revolution, it's not possible, we are not going to let ourselves die like that… ”On January 4, Stéphane Turillon, the owner of the restaurant La Source Bleue in the Doubs, takes his phone and films himself. selfie.
A watchword: on February 1, “open!
“Since then, restaurant owners across the country have announced their intention to set their tables and serve customers, already taking reservations in defiance of the ban linked to the Covid-19 epidemic.
In Nice (Alpes-Maritimes), Wednesday, the boss of the “Poppies” did not wait until February 1 to open.
Under the lens of cameras and cameras, Christophe Wilson served a hundred covers.
"I hope that everyone will follow suit and that the entire population of our country will resume the course of their normal life," he pleaded during his outburst.
The manager was later taken into police custody for having employed an illegal alien in the kitchen.
But not for having feasted on its customers, of whom ten were nonetheless fined for non-compliance with wearing a mask.
In the Vaucluse, Julien Achard is preparing to open his restaurant - Le Pescador on Monday.
“Initially, we wanted to open on January 20, the date on which we were told that the restaurants would reopen, but the date of February 1 was then broadcast and more publicized, so we followed to block,” explains the one who is also at the initiative of the movement "Essential Ultras", which defends the activity of the catering trade, especially in its department.
"I was full in two days"
“As soon as I announced that I was going to reopen on February 1, I was fully booked in two days, for three weeks I have had to refuse reservations!
»Quips Julien Achard.
The restaurateur has reduced his tonnage to 75 covers and, after a meeting at the prefecture, made a concession: it will serve outside and not inside.
Like others, he filed a declaration of demonstration with the departmental services in order, he hopes, to avoid any trouble.
In Villeurbanne (Rhône), Philippe De Baila also plans to reopen his restaurant - Espace Zola 229 - on Monday.
And like Julien Achard, he will serve outside.
"I will install a terrace for fifty people," he confides.
All of its customers, "regulars who miss it", have already booked and the establishment is full.
On the menu ?
A vegetarian meal, "rice, blanquette-style vegetables, a shortbread for dessert and a small glass of wine, of course."
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"We want to call on the government to change its policy," explains Philippe De Baila.
Our restaurants have been closed since the end of October and what can we see?
The epidemic is still progressing, it has not been reduced ... If at least the epidemic had been slowed down by our closure, I would have liked to sacrifice myself, but this is not the case, it is the proof that restaurants do not participate more in the epidemic than other businesses!
"And Julien Achard to support:" We want to show that we are able to do it, to open up and serve while respecting the sanitary measures.
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In his British imperial bus which serves as his restaurant, parked in his garden in Wirwignes (North), Claude Quétu holds the same speech.
It will open exceptionally Monday and serve croque-monsieur.
Usually it only opens from March 15th.
"I do it out of solidarity for my friends," explains the boss of the Red Bar.
For those who can no longer pay their rent and their bills.
"The restaurateur expects to have visitors:" I know the gendarmes will come, but we have to fight.
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"Total irresponsibility"
"These are not messages that we pass on to our members and we especially do not encourage them to do so, reframes with the Parisian Hubert Jan, at the head of the Catering section of the Union des métiers et des hospitality industries (UMIH).
There are health rules in place, you have to respect them, period.
Businesses are financially secure.
If not, let them come see us!
"And the representative to go further:" It is totally irresponsible.
It conveys a bad image of catering to the population when it is behind us.
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Mathilde Schlauder, she gave up opening on February 1.
"I am in the process of canceling what I had ordered", explains the owner of Les Bosquets, in Lunéville (Meurthe-et-Moselle).
The restaurateur had an appointment in the prefecture after having poured out her project of opening in L'Est Républicain.
"I was made to understand that they would make an example of me, I was threatened if I opened with a fine of 30,000 euros, an administrative closure of six months and a trial. », She says.
Frightened by such a prospect - and urged by the municipality to put an end to it - Mathilde Schlauder aborted her project.
“Maybe if we had been several in Lunéville, it would have passed, but I was alone,” she laments.
The situation is all the more complicated for her as she took over the restaurant last October, too recently to hope to receive aid.
Customers at the rendezvous?
Of the restaurateurs we interviewed, not one plans to open beyond Monday.
And no one knows how many establishments will actually set the tables.
"Many will open, but do not say it", wants to believe Claude Quétu.
On Facebook, the group "My restaurant opens on February 1" has more than 20,000 members this Thursday.
The “Rest'ouvert” event has more than 2,500 participants.
But more than messages from restaurateurs announcing their opening, it is those from customers that we see the most.
With a question: "Who opens his restaurant around my place on Monday?"
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