The images of deserted squares and sidewalks already seem far away. Tables and chairs are spreading again in cities. Only the distributors of hydroalcoholic gel, the masked waiters and the space between the tables remind us that a health crisis has passed through this. Atmosphere on the terrace in Chartres and Dreux in this second week of deconfinement.
Deconfinement: in Chartres, the terraces of cafes and restaurants are slowly filling
Dreux goes back to the table
This is the feeling at Saint-Pierre, a restaurant serving traditional cuisine: fifty-two place settings in the dining room (ten less due to sanitary measures) and several tables on the terrace (street side and back). Its manager, Zoé Grima, rather smiles while remaining cautious: “We can say that people came back with the deconfinement of restaurants. The reopening was good, it is quieter at noon on weekdays because there are still people telecommuting. We had a superb Mother’s Day weekend. Many Parisians have come, who cannot yet return to their restaurants. Regular customers also returned. It may not be indicative for the future, but we are satisfied. We feel that people wanted to come back, to enjoy the good things in life like the restaurant. The following ? We’ll see. Let us remain optimistic. “
In Chartres, the terraces are full
On this sunny Tuesday afternoon, the terraces are slowly filling up in downtown Chartres. And behind their mask, the waiters and waitresses are smiling.
“We have great days when the weather is nice, our loyal customers have returned,” says Aurélie Sutter, one of the managers of the restaurant Le Comptoir at the town hall, at the end of the service.
Turnover side, we are still in the dark
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Here, as in many establishments in the city, the terrace has been enlarged, and customers are there. “In terms of turnover, we are still in the dark,” notes the manager. Everyone has to play the game. We keep our fingers crossed so that the weather is nice and we are making a splash this summer. “
The clothing stores of Chartres are struggling to make window shopping again pleasant
Only glasses taken at the counter are always prohibited. “This is one of the objectives of the Town Hall Counter, it is user-friendly and it is missing,” adds Aurélie Sutter, who specifies that several events will be organized in the coming weeks. “We are happy to catch up!” “
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Small groups rather than large tables
A little further, rue Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, the reopening of the Lighthouse of Saint-Louis is more recent. “We reopened on Saturday, we worked well but, at the start of the week, it’s quieter. This is a small recovery, “summarize Sylvain Noblin, chef-crepe maker, and Claire Blavot, assistant manager.
Here, the terrace has not yet reopened. “Usually, we make big tables. There, it’s more like small groups, ”add those who are impatiently awaiting the return of customers.
“When the weather is nice, it goes very well, we have not lost any cover with the extension of the terrace. “
Antoine Brethereau (owner of the Café bleu in Chartres)
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At the foot of the cathedral, the restaurant terraces have long awaited the return of customers and tourists. Sitting on one of the chairs at the Café Bleu establishment, owner Antoine Brethereau summarizes this first week of recovery. “As we did take-out during the confinement, we knew we had the support of our customers,” he begins.
For him, “there are two things to emphasize: when the weather is good, it goes very well, we did not lose any cover with the extension of the terrace. On the other hand, with the distance, inside, we lost 40% of our cutlery. But he says, “The customers are there. “
Jérémy Truant and Olivier Bohin
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