Welcome to a special episode from Fongrave, a place where the local council has officially and unanimously voted to terminate our commercial lease, effectively crushing our very simple dream of running the Aux Delices restaurant. It is a level of bureaucratic efficiency we genuinely did not think was possible in rural France, especially when it comes to actively shutting down a functioning local business. But just when we thought the entire project was completely dead and buried beneath a mountain of paperwork, Mayor Laurent Periquet emerged for a rather candid and off the record chat in the village car park.
What followed was a compromise… He suggested we might be able to run the restaurant for the remaining 18 months of its lease, but only if we simultaneously spend our own money rebuilding a completely derelict municipal ruin across the road. Yes, you heard that correctly.
In this episode, we share the sheer heartbreak of that initial rejection and the overwhelming support from our wonderful village neighbours. From Pascal and Jo -Ann to Martin and Liz, the entire community has rallied behind us.
They are just as baffled and frustrated by this unanimous council vote as we are. We also sit down to draft the ultimate administrative fightback.
We lay out our formal, written response to the Mairie, giving them two very distinct and financially robust options, whilst politely requesting a speey decision. Will they accept our terms, or are we about to be locked out of our the Fongrave hub forever? You will have to watch to find out.
Now, if you need something to significantly soothe your nerves after witnessing the sheer madness of French administration, we have exactly the right remedy. We are incredibly proud to announce the release of our brand new album, La Rive Rhythm. Inspired by our new life in France, the beautiful sunsets over the River Lot, and the occasionally stressful reality of dealing with the council, it features some wonderful saxophone melodies. It is the absolute perfect soundtrack for pouring a remarkably large glass of local wine and completely ignoring your paperwork.
Listen to the entire album right now over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1TvUTVLatYVCRtkFIo4XiP
Thank you so much for watching and for all the incredible support you have shown us during this ridiculous saga. We really could not do this without you.
Links & Resources:
🏡 Book a stay at our villa: https://villa-la-rive.com/
🟦 Why not follow our updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Villa.la.Rive/elling up moving may not be easy, but it may as well be fun!
24 Comments
Wishing you the best in your endeavors! French bureaucracy is so frustrating, but never hesitate to call them back when they tell you they'll get back to you… Your project makes so much sense, it's so frustrating to see so much obstruction. I'm sure other places would be more appropriate for a basketball social club… while a restaurant/café/bread depot is absolutely essential to a healthy village life! And with your experience, it truly is a no-brainer! There must be a hidden reason behind such a strange decision… And I would definitely not invest my own money to repair a building belonging to city hall without expert legal counsel, and even then, it sounds so fishy….
It bothers me beaucoup that there was no communication with you when they voted back in March. I'm happy for you that communication seems to have been re-opened by the Mayor, but I'm not sure how much stock I would put into it. The one thing I never can abide is failure to communicate, whether it's good news or bad. You're such a wonderful and well-meaning pair, and it's unfortunate that you've been treated the way you have. I do hope that things move positively for you, no matter which way it goes. The wonderful support you have from the community speaks volumes!❤
his basketball club get the benefits of your efforts in the restaurant. Always a payoff in French local politics.
Neither option is much of a deal for you to essentially perform the service of keeping the village social life alive. If the council doesn’t care about it, why not look into creating that wonderful vibe elsewhere, like Ste-Livrade?
I am confused – the village owns the building and that’s why we think the village should bring the building up to code?(“up to code” is U.S. for “all safety, electrical & energy conservation standards met”). It does make sense that an owner should be responsible for base safety standards. If they aren’t pulling in enough taxes it surely won’t help to be shutting down businesses, right? The Mayor’s proposal sounds like extortion, especially given there are no guarantees.
Great! We’re behind you both all the way. Wonder if the local news will pick this up.
“Making your way in the world today, takes everything you've got .Taking a break from all your worries sure would help A LOT ❤Bonne chance 😎🚴🇬🇧🇫🇷
Great neighborhood support. Feeling optimistic about one or the other locations working out for you and for the village. It is so true that every village needs a restaurant or cafe or watering hole of some sort. Such locations are really the heart of the village.
Hi 😊 Maria & Rich.❤❤❤
Oh my!! What to say..? I know you want to be thinking positive. 😢But I think that offer…have an "odeur"… Really god for him and the basketteam, or wathewer. No turningpoint although you wishes. And, could you honestly work 24/6 or 24/7 for a few months, and loose it. For what? A bad stomac..? You have to lift your eyes higher to see the big picture. Where are the money all over the world go to? They have so many taxes for everything.. Yet, no money. Ask yourself these questions. I'm So
sorry.! But You have really god support and a really nice community.💖 I hope the community can do amazing things for eachother. All communities over the world. Sending you much love.❤💗💐🌻 Much love to everyone of them.❤
bonsoir Richard si vous arrivez a rouvrir ce restaurant , je vous promet de venir du fin fond de ma Lorraine pour y déguster les spécialités qui y seront servis. Promis.
Wow what a very bizarre offer from the Mairie. Not quite sure what to think other than it just conjures up thoughts of endless pots of money being required 🤔. I’m sure it will all work out in the end one way or another though 🤞🏾
Guys so sorry to hear your fab restaurant plans have been turned down. A big loss to the village 😢
Bonjour Maria, bonjour Richard.
Après avoir regardé votre vidéo, je compatis à votre déception. Cependant, je suis convaincu que vous êtes des battants et qu'il existe des solutions à explorer pour financer la rénovation et la mise aux normes de votre futur restaurant.
Cela demandera certes des démarches administratives, mais comme je sais que les Anglais et les Américains installés en France apprécient la « simplicité » et la « rapidité » de notre administration, cela ne devrait pas vous poser de problème 🤣
Voici quelques pistes où vous pourriez trouver de l’aide :
Le financement participatif : Vous pouvez vous renseigner sur la création d'une cagnotte (type Leetchi ou KissKissBankBank) pour financer une partie des travaux.
Les aides publiques : Renseignez-vous sur les dispositifs de l’Union européenne, de l’État, de la Région et du Département. Ces aides vont du prêt au report de charges, jusqu'à des subventions plus conséquentes.
Le programme LEADER : (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l’Économie Rurale). Ce programme européen soutient des projets locaux utiles au territoire.
Bien que je ne connaisse pas le détail de toutes les aides disponibles, je pense que le sujet mérite vraiment que vous vous y penchiez. Enfin, malgré votre mauvaise expérience avec la mairie, n'oubliez pas que si les petits villages ont peu de moyens, le maire reste un interlocuteur utile pour vous mettre en contact avec ces organismes et souligner l'importance de votre projet pour le tourisme et la commune.
Par ailleurs, si vous parvenez à financer ce beau projet, n’oubliez pas de bien négocier un bail assez long, assorti d’une option d'achat au cas où vous souhaiteriez acquérir le bâtiment plus tard. Vous pourriez d'ailleurs déjà demander à la mairie à quel prix elle serait prête à le vendre maintenant, avant que les travaux ne soient réalisés.. Je vous souhaite plein de belles choses . Noel . PS pour Richard . vous pouvez mettre vos musique sur Distrokid qui lui les mettra sur Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat et d'autres plateformes
Are the Councillors not also local residents? Where does the Maire live?
I would be very wary of having any business dealings with such a backward thinking Maire who does not seem to have any clue regarding realising business potential that would be beneficial for the local populace. I would wonder if he could even lie straight in bed!
You're good people. Don't ruin your mental health with this bureaucratic carry-on. Up stumps and find a place where your enthousiasm will be appreciated. Don't lose sight of the fact that it was the good people of Fongrave who put this Maire and his Councillors in office in the first place. You don't owe them anything. Look after your health.
super lobbying!! je suis avec vous!!
How are you managing to be in France on a work visa without working? Aren’t there several recent examples of Britons being deported when they don’t meet the financial thresholds?
…what can I say…c`est bien la France…never underestimate the power of the local bureaucracy…😀…
Seems to be too many brits in Fongrave.
Best of luck, you guys would be great. Would love to come to Fongrave to experience your restaurant.
Hey guys,
What an episode firstly how great was the support for you both from the local community French and English that's a major comfort and bonus for you both. I love France and cannot wait for the day when it's possible for us to make the move permanently but sometimes you cannot help but raise an eyebrow when they block something that clearly retains the very function of small village life and keeps it alive. If the local tax pot isn't very full surely a business that's paying taxes can only benifit the village. Having said all that I think you can point the finger and raise the same eyebrow at most local village officials here in the UK. Not sure how it works that the Maire doesn't have the money to bring the building up to standard but has the money to fund a basketball club building hey ho. Could the yaght club building be bought from the town if its in a state of disrepair then I would of thought it wouldn't have a high asking prise. Good to see you both have the it will be what it will be attitude.
Have a good week guys
Shane, Mandy
Wow, ups and downs. This mayor does not seem to seriously consider your project despite you being so active and with a strong community support, which is so great to see.
I would not put any money in the renovation of the yacht club tbh, maybe you should take the 18 month offer then develop your catering & table d'hôte business in your villa La Rive .
That's your LOT 😊
Hey Richard, if you are going to follow the mayors offer and after 18 months take over the building you were looking at 2 years ago. Which has been vacant during that 2 years.
If i were you i would get a complete structural survey of it to get a benchmark of what work that is needed. Because that way you know what size of possible problem you could be getting into, to me the mayor is being a bit to cute and see you as an easy touch to upgrade he building at no cost to the mayors office.