Village Bars Make a Comeback: French Bill Moves to Loosen Restrictions

In a decisive vote, French MPs have taken a significant step toward revitalizing rural social life by overwhelmingly supporting a bill designed to ease restrictions on opening village bars. The legislation, which passed with a vote of 156 to 2, aims to revitalize small communities isolated by a decline in social spaces. While further Senate approval is necessary for the bill to become law, its proponents argue that it will foster social ties and combat the loneliness prevailing in many rural areas. Historically, France has witnessed a drastic decrease in bars and cafés—from approximately 200,000 during the 1960s to just about 36,000 by 2015—most of which were in rural regions.

Currently, a type-4 alcohol permit is required to operate a bar serving alcoholic beverages, and new permits can only be awarded following the closure of an existing bar. However, the proposed legislation would enable residents of small towns with populations below 3,500 and without a bar to apply for a new permit, eliminating the need to wait for existing establishments to close. The final decision for approving these new licenses lies with local mayors. Lawmaker Guillaume Kasbarian criticized the existing regulatory framework as "old and obsolete," while fellow MP Fabien Di Filippo emphasized the importance of bars as communal gathering spots in isolated areas where residents often withdraw from social interaction. Despite these optimistic views, the French Health Ministry warns of the significant public health risks posed by alcohol consumption, attributing approximately 49,000 deaths annually to related issues.