the only bar-restaurant in this historic village is for sale

Running from right to left behind the counter, Fabienne Belloir looking for a way to illuminate the only business in Champeaux (Ille-et-Vilaine).

It was finally by tapping on the buttons of the electric meter that the light came. “It’s still a great tool,” says the village mayor, without hiding her disappointment.

“This restaurant had always worked well before, so we didn't ask any questions when it took over. But if we had bought the business, the situation would have been resolved much more quickly. »

The restaurant taken over for two months

Since the June 10, 2024, the La Cascade bar-restaurant, overlooking the majestic collegiate church, is dormant. Resumed in April 2024, the new manager's project was only very short-lived, to the great dismay of Fabienne Belloir and the Champéens.

It was a place for meetings, social connections, conviviality… I have always known it to be active since I arrived here, 30 years ago. This is the first time that the town has found itself without commerce for such a long time.

After surviving for two months, the brief manager left without a word, even before the summer season. “It was a big disappointment, without a place to eat or meet up, we were unable to meet the expectations of the people who visited our town last summer. »

The cornerstone of the tourism project

Because the vitality of this establishment is at the heart of the tourism project of this small town of 520 souls, blessed with a rich heritage and nestled in the heart of beautiful hiking trails. “Sometimes, whole busloads come to discover our town. »

Last November, Champeaux received the precious label “Commune of rural heritage of Brittany”. At the same time, she inaugurated a escape game on the medieval history of the village.

But La Cascade represents the cornerstone of this tourist project.

The restaurant absolutely needs to open. The idea is to offer tourists an escape game, the discovery of our college, our hiking trails, and a period meal in this restaurant.

Opening on weekends, a “sine qua non condition”

Owner of the walls and the IV license, the municipality has initiated procedures to acquire the business. “All this should be settled in March and then normally in mid-April,” confides the councilor, who deplores not being able to easily get in touch with the former manager, still owner of the bar-restaurant.

Since his departure, the town hall has received several candidates. “People from the surrounding area, others from further away. Sometimes it didn't suit us, because they didn't want to open on weekends. But for us, it is the condition sine qua non. »

The future manager(s) will also have to take over the bread and newspaper depot which has always been offered at La Cascade. Completely renovated by the town hall in 2012, the establishment has one side bar, of a large room with a capacity of 100 place settings, of two terraces on each side of the restaurant, a professional kitchenand a 130 m² apartment upstairs. All for a total rent of approximately €1,000 per month.

The municipal council is already considering a backup solution if the takeover project does not succeed. “We could rent the large room for parties, events and perhaps make the accommodation above available. »

But the first option is Fabienne Belloir’s big priority. “We need a restaurant, it’s vital, we can’t do without it. » The lucky ones will certainly be able to count on the support of the town hall, which only wants one thing: to permanently turn the lights back on in its only business.

Contact: 06 24 67 22 09 or mairie@champeaux35

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