With their new restaurant “La Brasserie de France”, they defend home-made cuisine in Le Mans

If on one side of Place de la République in Le Mans (Sarthe), the Paul bakery closes its doors, on the other, the formerCafé de la Bourse comes back to life under the leadership of Valéry Fortin and his partner Benjamin Audoux.

At the helm of The Brasserie de Francewhich opened its doors this Thursday, January 23, 2025, the tandem offers a menu with exclusively homemade.

A restaurant where France is in the spotlight

The entire program of the restaurant is in its name “La Brasserie de France”. Roasted Camembert, homemade quiches, eggs and mayo, soups… French cuisine comes to the table. “We also bring back the mussels and fries on the Place de la République,” ​​adds Valéry Fortin, who held the Mojito Royal for almost 15 years.

The Brasserie de France is also about being proud of our roots and then, I'm chauvinistic. Everyone is important, each person in France is a piece of the puzzle

The choice in the cellar is also plentiful with spirits and “exclusively French wine”. A cocktail of the month will also be offered.

If France is on the plate, it is also present in decoration. With Bécassine, Casimir, Lino Ventura and even Léon Marchand. “We will soon also have Édith Piaf and Marcel Cerdan. »

At 22, Benjamin is his partner

In this adventure, Valéry Fortin is accompanied by Benjamin Audoux, 22 years old, with whom he bought the establishment, “in a desire to pass on”.

With his professional baccalaureate in hospitality and catering and additional training as a bartender in his pocket, the Manceau cut his teeth at Coffee Cream before joining the team Mojito Royal for almost three years.

He suggested that we buy the Café de la Bourse together, I said yes. I'm also here to learn how to become a good boss.

The pair hopes to be able to reach a wider clientele in terms of age and make their establishment a place intergenerational. Another advantage raised by Benjamin Audoux: “there is the possibility of eating at any time! »

They are supported by Axel Herpoux, in charge of the kitchen, and a whole team. In total, 10 people work there and the managers are looking for a second in the kitchen.

For Valéry Fortin, it’s a return to basics

If the Sarthois know him as the boss of the Mojito Royal, this new project is almost a return to basics for Valéry Fortin.

The trader started his career as cook and butler in the navy. “My initial training was in bakery-pastry-confectionery-chocolate making,” he explains.

The page of Mojito Royal turns to Valéry Fortin but inevitably, habits remain: “I know that I am condemned to making mojitos all my life! »

Open every day except Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. 11 Place de la République, Le Mans.

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