Agde: at the counter of “La Cabane”, all the conviviality of Cape Town

Laurence et Marlène veillent à la bonne ambiance d’un lieu qu’elles ont façonné à leur image. MIDI LIBRE – OLIVIER RAYNAUD

Allée de la Découverte, in a corner located away from the hustle and bustle of the station, Laurence and Marlène are beginning their 18th season. With always the same good humor.

This is an address that is worth it! Nestled on the Allée de la Découverte, well known to tourists as it leads to Aqualand, the water park located a hundred meters away, “La Cabane” lives away from the port and is clearly not any worse off.
This is where Marlène and Laurence set down their suitcases in 2007, after leaving Marseille. "We found this premises which had been empty for years and we launched our business& ;quot;, remembers the first, who previously worked in human resources."There weren’not many people, but the rent was within our means."

The sale of fruits and vegetables did not last!

The business was not initially a bar, but a fruit and vegetable store. "We also sold wine and little by little, customers and neighboring traders came to have a drink, for the conviviality", continues Marlène. Suffice to say that at the end of the first season of operation, the turning point was made: the greenery went by the wayside, giving way to a brand which usually shook up this neighborhood well. peaceful! "Well, not right away", recognizes Laurence, who was already a trader in her Marseille life."We were not from the region, without a local network. It took us three years to build up our clientele. But we didn't have competition from the port and above all, we didn't want to do like the port." Understand not to fall into the same traps and not sell your soul to this outrageous commercialism which sometimes does so much harm to Capagathois commerce.

A family atmosphere, with its regulars

Since the 2010s, “La Cabane” has become a popular address. Not necessarily very well known, even among the Agathois themselves, but the faithful come back there. Again and again. "We don’not have much traffic here – especially when Aqualand is closed –,but regulars, yes", appreciate the owners, who ensure the family atmosphere of the place. "The first years, there were some hell of a party, we calmed down", laughs Laurence. Yesterday's forty-somethings have indeed taken a drink and the aperitifs are becoming less late. But the conviviality remains.

When we came on Saturday evening, the customers seemed at home. Parents, a few kids delighted to see their "aunties" for the opening of the season and retirees who find here listening and human warmth. "We have customers who are now grandparents and who come back with the whole family", appreciate Marlène and Laurence, who have blended into the Agathois city, they who have built their haven of peace in a pretty restored residence in the historic center.

Local wines and reasonable prices

The prices applied are also not unrelated to the success of this “spot”. The wines from the local cooperative cellars (Richemer, Beauvignac) and neighboring estates, like L’Octroi, guarantee reasonable margins while on the plate, a few tapas and platters come to rest. stomachs. "We don't make pizzas or cook so as not to compete with our neighbors", explains Laurence. A cordial understanding which reflects on the atmosphere of this popular little enclave of Cap d’Agde.

“The Cabin” is open from Easter to All Saints' Day (the owners also operate a chalet on Place Racine during the Christmas market).
Out of season, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Every day in summer. I subscribe to read more