This couple from Orne will open a cultural café in the setting of a France 2 TV film

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Almost a year ago now, the town of Heugon (Orne) was transformed into “little Hollywood” to host the filming of the TV film An Ideal Father with Eddy Mitchell, in the role of a priest, and Laurent Gerra, in the role of a bar keeper.

A cultural café

This filming made it possible to highlight this small village of around 250 souls, but also to renovate the legendary café The Fox laughs closed since Covid-19.

This new breath inspired Sarah Wengervillage child, and Mehdi Louahabhis companion, who decided to reopen this place to make it a cultural café.

Opening in spring 2025

A few months after launching this project, things are starting in earnest for the couple who will embark on some work before opening in spring 2025.

For Sarah and Mehdi, this bar has “a social vocation”. They don’t want to do Fox laughs a place where people only come to consume. Every weekend, the couple will organize activities.

It could be workshops, concerts or even game evenings.

Furthermore, they want residents to be proactive.

“It shows that there are wants and needs”

“The idea is for it to be a collaborative place. We had a first meeting and around fifty people came to discuss the different proposals,” underlines Mehdi Louahab.

A first meeting that brought people together. “The residents are very active because being 50 at a meeting for a village of 250 people is very good.”

This support encourages and comforts the couple. “It shows that there are wants and needs. Small village cafés work! It’s a popular idea to say that in the countryside people don’t go out. »

Thursday to Sunday

So the little doubts at the beginning were quickly forgotten. “I was a little scared but that was before we went to meet the residents,” emphasizes Sarah.

The couple plans to open the café from Thursday to Sunday, but before that some small work is required. “The Town Hall is starting work this week by redoing the electricity and the frames. PMR toilets will also be installed.”

After the work financed by the municipality, the couple will take over to redo the paintings, the decoration and bring the bar up to date, but “always keeping the identity of the place”.

Practical
The TV movie An ideal father will be broadcast on October 2 in prime time on France 2.

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