Law proposal to make it easier to open bistrots in French villages
Number of such rural establishments has fallen by 60% in last 60 years
The creation of new ‘Licence IV’ is currently forbidden
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A French MP is proposing rule changes to make it easier for ‘bistrots’ and other bars to be established in smaller communes.
The change would allow establishments in communes with a population of 3,500 or less to apply for a ‘Licence IV’ – the requirement to serve strong (distilled) alcohol in France – via a declaration to the local mairie.
It would be limited to one per commune.
Currently to receive a Licence IV several formalities need to be taken – new ones cannot currently be created but must be purchased from an existing holder – and prospective owners go on a training course.
For a set period between 2019 and 2022, these restrictions were lifted for communes with less than 3,500 inhabitants in an effort to spur rural development, however they were reimposed from December 2022 following the end of the three year period.
The proposition brought forward by MP Guillaume Kasbarian would permanently end the restrictions in smaller communes.
“The devitalisation of rural areas has caused the number of cafés and bistros in France to fall from 200,000 in 1960 to 38,800 in 2023,” Mr Kasbarian said.
“Administrative regulations may have contributed to this phenomenon by making it very difficult to transfer to a Licence IV status or by imposing heavy constraints on the opening of new outlets,” he added..
“The specific situation of rural communities today justifies the implementation of radically simplified conditions to encourage the establishment of populations and economic activity there.”
The proposition will be discussed next week (March 10) in the Assemblée nationale.
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