The traditional bistro, a combination cafe-bar-restaurant that serves in many neighborhoods and towns as a social center as well, has been disappearing from many towns in France.
From nearly 600,000 establishments in the early 1960s, the number has dropped to just under 35,000 today, spread out over ten-thousand-plus towns and villages. Which leaves over 26,000 towns with no bistro. Even worse, one in three villages have not only lost their own, but also those in the surrounding villages.
According to an article in TheLocal.fr, the main reasons cited are rising cost of drinks, population movement to the cities, and even the ban on smoking (although that hasn't had such an effect in other countries.)
Some towns are taking steps to try to preserve their bistros, even by providing space in public buildings; other "save-the-bistro" ideas include having them also take on roles as delivery points for packages or tourism offices.
For more information, including which areas are hardest hit, click HERE
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