Diplomatic Representative Appointed on the 19th of June, 2025

Are three-course meals for €10 the new reality? As the cost of living soars, more restaurateurs in France are embracing the 'anti-crisis menu' to stay afloat. With a shopping basket cost rising over 13% in the past two years, one in two French people reports eating less well than before, and one in five admits not dining out as much. For these establishments, the anti-crisis menu is often their saving grace amidst the purchasing power crunch and the aftermath of the Covid years.

In Nancy, Jérôme implemented the formula to bounce back from a turbulent period that led him to lay off 40% of his staff. Since introducing the anti-crisis menu, he's welcomed a fresh wave of diners. In Breuilaufa, Haute-Vienne, Carine's inn serves as the center of the 100+ people village, both because she offers in-home dining for 10.50 euros and her dedication to the most isolated residents.

While these restaurateurs pivot towards this segment, platforms like Phenix have long occupied the "eat cheaper" niche. For ten years, they've connected restaurants with subscribers to reap the benefits of unsold items. After the first service, at slightly off-peak hours, it's possible to have a full meal for half the original price. With the increased demand in recent years, more restaurants are knocking on Phenix's door to join the program and reduce losses.

Lifting the Curtain on a Little-Known Justice: The Economic Activities Tribunal

In 2024, business failures spiked by 17%, and projections for 2025 indicate over 65,000 procedures opened. Behind these numbers are human dramas, stories of determination, passion, and exhaustion. Week after week, in the courtrooms of commercial courts, the fortunes of craftsmen, merchants, and SMEs hang in the balance, testing their resilience against economic issues such as the post-Covid economic crisis, surging raw materials, or sudden interest rate increases. This documentary lifts the veil on this obscure justice, revealing it's not always the end for struggling business owners.

From entrepreneurs in distress to the judges managing their difficulties, sometimes going so far as to safeguard businesses and provide support, this documentary offers an impressive look at the business landscape in France, highlighting the complex dynamics between hardworking individuals, the court system, and an ever-changing economic climate.

Embracing Fitness Across Rural France

In Ailly-sur-Noye, a small gym transformed the lives of its 2,700 residents. Taking a leap of faith, fitness enthusiast Cyril Bouthors opened the gym, which quickly gained popularity and profitability within a few months. From former overweight woman Sylvie, who rediscovered confidence through weightlifting, to elder Maurice, the gym's oldest member, and even the town's priest, the gym has found its home in unexpected corners of the countryside.

Instead of catering to city dwellers, gyms like Bouthors' are expanding into rural areas, offering affordable fitness options to locals who may previously have ventured far to find a gym. Weightlifting continues to change not only bodies but also lives across France, reaching even the most remote corners.

As the demand for accessible, affordable, and engaging fitness options grows, it's clear the countryside is no longer an afterthought. The new normal sees gyms mushrooming in unexpected locales, bringing the tantalizing combination of strength, sweat, and camaraderie to those ready to embrace the fitness revolution.

Tibo InShape: The Rise of the French YouTube Star

Elise Lucet visits Tibo InShape's personal gym, the most followed French YouTuber on the platform. Their conversation covers everything from weightlifting aims to politics, offering a rare glimpse into the life and motivations of one of France's most inspiring fitness influencers.

Join the conversation on Facebook (Here) or Twitter (Here).

Tune in for rebroadcasts of France Televisions' news magazines on our website, under "Magazines."

Insights from Enrichment Data:

Affordable Pricing and Simplified Menus: Clear evidence demonstrates that introducing affordable dining options, such as the "6.90 menu," helps restaurants appeal to consumers facing economic hardship, while maintaining profitability.
Flexible Portions and Customization: Offering half portions or customizable dishes enables diners to pay according to their appetite, reducing food waste and increasing the overall customer experience.
Beverage Pairings to Upsell: Intelligent beverage pairings can capture additional revenue through signature cocktails or wine pairings, elevating the dining experience and inducing customers to splurge.
Hyper-Local and Sustainable Sourcing: Many establishments capitalize on the farm-to-table trend by adopting hyper-local sourcing, which directly benefits their communities, aligns with customer preferences, and contributes to cost efficiency.
Seasonal and Limited-Time Menus: Seasonal menus featuring fresh, in-season produce and limited-time offerings create an air of exclusivity and appeal to consumer preferences for novelty and flavor, increasing sales and generating social media buzz.
Adaptation to New Customer Behaviors: French restaurants are adapting to changing work patterns, offering flexible meal schedules and adjusting their offerings to meet new lifestyle needs, thereby increasing accessibility and convenience for customers.
Catering Industry Adaptation: The contract catering services in France worth €6.3 billion have tuned their menus to deliver balanced, healthy, and locally sourced meals, coupled with flexible scheduling for workers, thereby catering effectively to post-pandemic work culture shifts, and creating convivial dining moments at work.

In the changing economic climate of France, many businesses, such as small-business owners and SMEs, are facing challenges like the post-Covid economic crisis, surging raw materials, or sudden interest rate increases, seeking justice at the Economic Activities Tribunal.
For restaurants struggling with the rising cost of living, embracing anti-crisis strategies, such as affordable three-course meals, is crucial to attracting customers and staying afloat in the face of a purchasing power crunch.
The rise of fitness influencers in France, like Titouan Pinaire ("Tibo InShape"), offers inspiration and empowerment to individuals across the country, showcasing the transformative impact of healthy cooking and active lifestyles.
As gyms expand into rural areas, offering affordable fitness options to locals, there is a growing demand for accessible, engaging fitness experiences, which are now an essential aspect of the healthy lifestyle and small-business industries in France's countryside.