France's Restaurants Are Disappearing

In the 1970s, long lunches were normal for Paris reporters. Today, France's traditional restaurants are fighting to survive. Experts say only fast food and high-end fine dining are doing well. The industry is in crisis. Franck Chaumès, a restaurant union president, calls it "a catastrophe." Data shows about 25 traditional French restaurants are closing every day. Changing habits are a major cause. The classic, boozy multi-course lunch is now rare. More people choose fast, cheap meals or save dining out for special occasions at expensive places. Rising costs for food and energy are also hurting owners. The union has asked the government for help. It wants limits on how many new restaurants can open in an area. It also wants owners to have formal training in both cooking and business management. So far, the state has not acted. The struggle marks a major shift for a country famous for its food culture. The middle ground of everyday restaurants is shrinking fast.