and Mac Café as well!

As I said earlier, I’m no fan of Mc Donald’s. But I had to inform you guys about that.

Mc Donald’s setting up in the Louvres news has spread around the world. While French people don’t care less, worldwide from US to Russia’s press is in shock. It is railing French haute cuisine assaulted by the American giant.

Actually, McDo won’t be inside the museum, but in a mall the Carrousel du Louvres connected to the museum through underground halls. At first, the Carrousel du Louvres aimed at luxury and sophistication. Over the years, some selective, but not luxury, stores like Esprit, the clothing line, Nature & Découvertes, the eco-friendly deco boutique or Virgin set in. McDonald’s is going to replace the only restaurant of the mall. How the hell did it manage to do that?

The strategic move has started a few months ago. A joint press release dated back to April 09 announced a strategic alliance between McDonald’s French affiliate and Autogrill. It aimed at opening McDonald’s restaurants on French highways resting areas that Autogrill manages. The partners were in talk for setting up McDonald’s at airports, train stations and some locations of prestige as well. Autogrill is a company specialized in catering activity in traveling locations such as highway resting areas, airports and train stations. From 2007, Autogrill has undertaken the catering activity of fast food restaurant in the heart of the prestigious Carrousel du Louvres. Autogrill has entered mall and museum catering world. So McDonald’s does now. Clever isn’t it? Starting with a quiet alliance nobody cared in April.

I’m kidding at all the fuss around French Haute Cuisine. Setting McDo closed to the Louvres doesn’t mean the end of French Cuisine. Anyway, there’s already junk food in France. But in the same time I fell sad because the Louvres doesn’t match with a proclaimed junk food restaurant. It’s a symbol of culture and sophistication. The building is an architectural wonder full of history. Tell me guys what do you think. Does McDo downgrade the Louvres?

Carrousel du Louvres website worked early in the morning today only. And then only the html code appears. An unexpected worldwide interest is it overwhelming the website host? It seems that the presence of McDo is going to boost Carroussel du Louvres sales to foreign visitors.

I shot the beautiful pic above 2 years ago. The by night view of the pyramid is gorgeous. While I lived in Paris, I used to take a stroll along the museum, cross the Pont des Amoureux (Sweetheart bridge) above La Seine, and keep going to Saint Germains des Prés.

Author: Gaelle

3 Responses to “McDonald’s to open at Le Louvres”

1. Kimberly Cain says:

   October 7, 2009 at 5:01 pm

   Thanks for this post. I’m an American who loves the beauty & sophistication of Europe. I feel “at home” when visiting there. I am appalled at the decision, by the Louvre, to include McDo in its offerings. Junk food is a horrible part of American culture – it has done much more damage than what people know (or are willing to admit) to the American state of health. I would love to see it die off in America, due to education & desire to take care of ourselves, but instead, it is spreading! It just doesn’t fit, sitting next to centuries’ old historical structures.
   Naked Prayers blog – http://bit.ly/KE5gY
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2. Forex News says:

   August 20, 2010 at 10:16 pm

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   Reply
3. Gaelle says:

   October 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm

   Very bad fit yeah. I am not sure the Louvres has a voice in this decision since teh restaurant is going to set in the mall next door.
   Gaelle

   Reply