Franchise bakeries in France fight to open 7/7

Many bakeries have to close one day a week due to rules set by their departmental prefectures.

The aim is to protect artisans and small bakeries that would find it hard to attract young people into the trade if they had to work seven days a week.

They also say artisans would face unfair competition from larger bakeries with more staff if they were allowed to open every day.

But now two franchises, La Mie Câline in Charente and Feuillette in Vienne, want to open every day. Feuillette hires up to 19 people and illegally opens on Sundays.

By doing so, it risks a fine of €1,500 for every illegalday worked.

Matthieu Labbé, of the Fédération des Entreprises de Boulangerie, said: “It is time the rules were changed. Society has evolved.

“How come a flower shop can open every day while a bakery cannot?”

The bakery closure rule was established in 1996 by the then trade minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

Some departments, such as Finistère and Ille-et-Vilaine in Brittany, have revoked it but it remains in place in many others.