“For three weeks, there have been no Parisians and tourists are waiting to come,” notes a restaurateur.

“The surplus turnover that we thought we would have, we will not have it, or even worse for some, it will be very hard,” laments Alain Fontaine, president of the French Association of Master Restaurateurs, on Sunday on franceinfo.

“For three weeks, there have been no Parisians, people are not returning to Paris and tourists are waiting to come”deplores Sunday July 21 on franceinfo Alain Fontaine, president of the French Association of Master Restaurateurs. Gray zones, red zones, five days before the opening ceremony of the Paris Games, traffic restrictions weigh on certain restaurateurs, according to the owner of the restaurant Le Mesturet, located in the center of the capital.

“On the sites where traffic is prohibited, we are at -60%, some -80% and for the whole it is between -20% and -30%” of attendance, specifies the restaurateur. “The center of Paris has been badly affected for three weeks now”he sums up. According to him, the cause is: “The usual tourists are not coming to Paris and those who are coming for the Olympics are arriving slowly.” Gentle “massive air pocket” for restaurateurs, especially since many “had not put their staff on leave”underlines Alain Fontaine. “The surplus turnover that we thought we would have, we will not have it, or even worse for some, it will be very hard”he points out. “What we are experiencing is a bit absurd”continues the restaurateur, speaking of a “boomerang effect before the party”.

“We are in a situation a bit like the one we experienced during Covid, but with our establishments open.”

Alain Fontaine, President of the Association of Master Restaurateurs

on franceinfo

But the president of the French Association of Master Restaurateurs remains convinced that tourists will now flock to the capital. “I can’t believe that tourists won’t come. The Olympic Games are one of the biggest celebrations in the world. They’re taking place in Paris, they’re exceptional Olympic Games, as we know, with an opening onto the Seine, so I really believe that tourists will come.”he assures.