Friends for 40 years, they opened their restaurant in Le Mans and named it… Les Compères

Christian Terouanne and Jean-François Yvon opened their restaurant, in the Croix de Pierre district of Le Mans, at the beginning of December 2024. These two long-time friends launched The Comperes.

Friends for 40 years, they created their restaurant

A few steps from the cathedral, the lunch service ends at the restaurant The Comperes. Christian Terouanne and Jean-François Yvon finish their lunch.

For a month and a half, these two “40-year-old” friends have embarked on their first joint project: opening a restaurant. The two “comrades”, both born in 1958have had very different professional paths until now.

Christian Terouanne opens his 9th restaurant

With The ComperesChristian Terouanne opens his 9th restaurant.

“The first was in the 80s, I was 20 years old. We had met shortly before with Jean-François. »

Its first establishments were located in the city center of Le Mans: Le Sherlock Homes’ pubrue de la Barillerie, the Exactly (Today Venice). In the 90s, he opened The Dutch Villagenorthern zone, then resells it.

He then created two restaurants The Pause: boulevard René-Levasseur and in Saint-Saturnin, near the Speed ​​Park. The franchise, La Tagliatella is closing all its restaurants in France, Christian Terouanne must close his two establishments.

Jean-François Yvon, racing driver and timber merchant

Jean-François Yvon, for his part, carried out two activities at the same time: car driver and timber trader.

“I have raced the 24 Hours of Le Mans twelve times. »

He still drives today and has a challenge ahead: “to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans with my two sons in 2026.”

He is also the head of the company Yvon et Fils. “We import eco-certified wood from all over the world. We sell everything you need to make a home. » The family business, based in Sargé-lès-le-Mans, has eight agencies.

“I had a card ready for 30 years”

Jean-François Yvon had “wanted to create a restaurant for 30 years”.

“Cooking is often a family transmission. My grandmother and my mother were very good cooks. I love cooking and I can do it. »

The entrepreneur has traveled the world. “I ate at restaurants almost every day and saw what I wanted and what I didn’t want.”

He “even has a starter/main course/dessert menu ready since 30.”

The opportunity presented itself. “It’s the combination of freeing up business, friendship and complementary skills. »

The two friends “did everything together: decoration, menu, choice of wines…” They also recruited the chef: Dylan. “He worked for a bistronomic restaurant in Deauville. »

“We are not aiming for a star in the Michelin Guide”

The name stood out: Les Compères. As for the conceptChristian Terouanne explains it in detail: “a real welcome from the customer, good bistro cuisine, French and local, organic when possible, at reasonable prices”. The menu offers a choice of six or seven starters, as many dishes and desserts.

“We don’t aim for the star Guide Michelin but quality, complicity and conviviality.”

Practical
Les Compères, 6 rue des Maillets in Le Mans. Tel: 02 43 81 00 68. Open: Monday 12 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday: 12 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

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