Between pop-up breweries and food trucks in the village, Intra-muros restaurants are experiencing an unusual period.
The Route du Rhum village, set up in Saint-Malo, attracts thousands of visitors each year. On the harbor, entertainment options multiply: pop-up breweries, fast-food stalls, food trucks. This temporary offering, highly visible, contrasts with the historic establishments of Intra-muros, located just a few steps away. The question arises: are these new installations diverting customers from traditional restaurants?
Visitor habits have evolved. Many prioritize quick, on-the-go dining so as not to miss any of the festivities. The race organizers have also expanded this festive aspect, with dedicated spaces for beer and street food. For Intra-muros restaurants, competition is no longer limited to neighboring tables, but also includes these temporary structures. Some restaurant professionals note a decline in patronage during the two-week period, while others believe the event brings overall more people to the city.
The situation varies depending on the establishment. Those located on main thoroughfares, between the gate and the village, benefit from a steady flow. Others, more discreet, must contend with a clientele that naturally gravitates toward the entertainment. The restaurateurs interviewed shared mixed feelings: some see these pop-up breweries as unfair competition, while others view them as an opportunity to attract a younger, more festive clientele. Opinions differ, but everyone agrees on one point: the city's appearance changes during the race.
Beyond the simple commercial question, it is Saint-Malo's identity that is at stake. The historic city, with its ramparts and narrow streets, must it adapt to ephemeral mass tourism? Must Intra-muros restaurants, guardians of a certain culinary tradition, revise their model to survive? The answer is not singular. It depends on each person's ability to reinvent themselves without losing the soul of the corsair city. One thing is certain: the Route du Rhum leaves no one indifferent, neither the sailors, nor the merchants, nor the food lovers.
Visitor habits have evolved. Many prioritize quick, on-the-go dining so as not to miss any of the festivities. The race organizers have also expanded this festive aspect, with dedicated spaces for beer and street food. For Intra-muros restaurants, competition is no longer limited to neighboring tables, but also includes these temporary structures. Some restaurant professionals note a decline in patronage during the two-week period, while others believe the event brings overall more people to the city.
The situation varies depending on the establishment. Those located on main thoroughfares, between the gate and the village, benefit from a steady flow. Others, more discreet, must contend with a clientele that naturally gravitates toward the entertainment. The restaurateurs interviewed shared mixed feelings: some see these pop-up breweries as unfair competition, while others view them as an opportunity to attract a younger, more festive clientele. Opinions differ, but everyone agrees on one point: the city's appearance changes during the race.
Beyond the simple commercial question, it is Saint-Malo's identity that is at stake. The historic city, with its ramparts and narrow streets, must it adapt to ephemeral mass tourism? Must Intra-muros restaurants, guardians of a certain culinary tradition, revise their model to survive? The answer is not singular. It depends on each person's ability to reinvent themselves without losing the soul of the corsair city. One thing is certain: the Route du Rhum leaves no one indifferent, neither the sailors, nor the merchants, nor the food lovers.
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Source: Ouest-France