Coffee and Croissants at a Cafe

Say it isn’t so!

The thing I love most about France are the cafes. Sitting at a table outside a cafe having my morning coffee and croissant, enjoying the sun and people watching, is one of my favorite France activities and one I was planning on indulging in a lot on our next trip. But today’s New York Times says that cafes are not so busy and many are closing.

There are many reasons for the slowdown: the smoking ban that started in January, strict drink-driving laws, the recent economic downturn, changes in the culture.

“Across France, Cafe Owners are Suffering,” Steven Erlanger, New York Times, November 22, 2008.
“The plight of Ms. Guérin is being replicated all over France, as traditional cafes and bars suffer and even close, hit by changing attitudes, habits and now a poor economic climate.”

So, when in France, do your civic duty and go to the cafes, have a coffee, have two! I know that I will!