Since November 11, a race against the clock is launched at the Christmas Village of Barcarès (Pyrénées-Orientales).
The damage caused by the fire in the catering area destroyed seven chalets which were to accommodate bars and restaurants but there was no question of opening without finding a solution for the impacted traders. The teams are therefore hard at work to redevelop the disaster area and be able to welcome visitors from Saturday November 23.
Flash mobilization
“No one said it would be impossible, so everyone mobilized ”confides Martine Gisolo, elected official in charge of tourism and president of the Barcarès tourist office. “We were very responsive thanks to the support of state services, which allowed us to clear and restore the site the next day. »
In a joint effort, the municipality and its partners succeeded in meet this challenge in record time. “A week later, we don’t have the impression that there was a fire” rejoices the elected official who notes the progress of the construction site right next to the Lydia, “we are starting from scratch and we will be able to install new structures in the same place as those which unfortunately burned down.”
“Obviously, there is the disappointment of having lost a week of operation and the reception capacity, since our substitute chalet is smaller but the town hall has reallocated two spaces to us to be able to try to save our season“ puts Mickaël Casas, manager of the restaurant “Les Epiciers” in Perpignan and whose chalet at Barcarès burned in the fire, into perspective.
A reinvented dining space
To replace the destroyed installations, and allow traders to be able to provide catering and drinking, the municipal teams found a solution: install new chalets and modular structures. “We are waiting to receive a Bavarian style chalet, arriving from Belgium and other structures with ready-to-use integrated kitchens, supplied by restaurateurs from the Pyrénées-Orientales”lists the chosen one.
Although the space has been remodeled, she assures that “visitors will rediscover the festive spirit of the Christmas Village with food stalls, takeout options and seating areaseven if it won’t be the high altitude chalets.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Barcarès does not intend to change anything in its programming and amaze, again this year, more than a million and a half visitors.
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