Written by Cendrine Albo et Rémi Surrans
The Médoc restaurant 'La Paillote de Steph' in Lamarque, ideally located on the edge of the Gironde estuary and very popular with locals and tourists alike, burned to the ground on the night of January 1st. Its owner had invested heavily in the business.
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“I am stunned. I don't know what to say. It's a disaster.” declares Stéphane Fernandez, the owner of the place. He was warned, just before the new year, that his establishment was on fire.
The fire broke out on New Year's Eve.
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© Entrusted by S. Fernandez
“This restaurant is five years of investment, passion, madness to get there, to do something good.” he confides, his throat tight. Five years of work and 500,000 euros gone up in smoke. The establishment, located very close to the ferry pier connecting the two banks of the Gironde estuary, between Lamarque and Blaye, was completely destroyed.
The establishment burned to the ground
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© L. Cagnato
“We pass by it twice a week during our bike rides, it's heartbreaking to see that“, testifies a retired cyclist. “It was pretty too, at the water's edge, with a beautiful panorama“Another passer-by admits to being in shock.”It's desperate. It opened not so long ago, just after covid, it was nice to come there for lunch or even dinner“.
On social networks, we can read dozens of messages of support from regulars of the place, such as “we will be there when they reopen“, “courage to owners and employees“, “uA hard blow for our Médoc at the start of the year“, “so sorry to the friendly owners and employees of this excellent restaurant”…
“I thank them all” slips Stéphane, visibly very moved.
The hut offered a panoramic view of the Gironde estuary
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© L. Cagnato
The origin of the fire is currently unknown, but an investigation has been opened, entrusted to the gendarmerie.
Stéphane Fernandez does not yet know when, or how, he will be able to rebuild. Its three employees are technically unemployed. He has nothing left.
