In Lozère, the Baraque des Bouviers inn has reopened with a very dynamic new manager

Jean-Marie Allano affiche très régulièrement complet depuis sa reprise de l'auberge. Midi Libre – Lucas Manouvrier

Depuis que Jean-Marie Allano a repris l'établissement mi-décembre 2023, il affiche souvent complet. Le Breton a plein d'idées et il les met en œuvre pour combler les habitants du coin et les touristes.

This morning in January 2024, Jean-Marie Allano's cell phone never stops ringing. The new manager of the Baraque des Bouviers inn fills his reservation book quickly. And he quickly finds himself faced with a fait accompli: he can no longer accept anyone for this Sunday lunchtime, when walkers and families have come to enjoy the snow at the Bouviers resort. "At the beginning, I was told that it would be very calm and difficult to get started, admits the native of Dinan (Côtes-d& #39;Amor). Finally, we don’have no time to be idle!"

"Great potential"

For a month, precisely on December 15, 2023, Jean-Marie Allano took over management of the inn. Arriving from a campsite in Ambon (Brittany), he was looking for a place to eat open all year round. A bit by chance, he came across the announcement relating to the Baraque des Bouviers. He liked the setting and he signed, taking with him his campsite cook, Julien. For the Mixed Economy Company of Equipment for the Development of Lozère (Selo), owner of the premises, this arrival was necessary. For a month and a half, this establishment has not been operating, after the departure of the former restaurateurs. "I want this site to live, says Roger Crueyze, general director of Selo. It has great potential and we want to continue to develop the Baraque des Bouviers. There is an appetite for the medium mountains, it allows you to recharge your batteries."

The inn, "a nugget"

In recent years, there have been several changes of restaurateurs at the inn. "Since I took charge of the Selo four years ago, I have known three" , concedes Roger Crueyze. He knows that stability will come through a relaxation of charges, starting with rent. "The board of directors wanted the rent to be moderate, he reports. The operator must earn his living if we want him to stay. It will have a fixed rent initially, the idea is to be careful." In general, for a commercial lease, the rent depends on the turnover. Jean-Marie Allano makes no secret of it, he hopes that it will be able to continue and settle for a few years on the Margeride. "I think this place is a gem", he rejoices, while the inn has been running at full capacity since its takeover .

Dynamic the sector

This early success can be explained, among other things, by the boundless dynamism shown by the Breton. "Every weekend, I organize theme evenings. I am well equipped with sound and lighting." Also, it accepts large groups, sometimes up to 25 people, and welcomes workers during breaks noon. "There are no more restaurants in a very large radius so it meets a need. The locals needed it to reopen, supports Jean-Paul Meynier, mayor of Saint-Denis-en-Margeride since 2006. Jean-Marie Allano is full of desire, full of ideas and he organizes meetings. " To make it a real place to live. He admits that "[his] clientele is not really that of the station. There are a lot of locals."

The hostel can accommodate up to 40 people in two rooms. Midi Libre – Lucas Manouvrier

Forty place settings

The establishment has around forty indoor seats, a terrace, a few rooms and a bar. "I want it to be simple, like the inns of the era, explains Jean-Marie Allano. There is no menu, we only offer daily menus." With a buffet for starters and desserts . An offer that delights locals and tourists: "I already have reservations for 2025", exclaims the’ rsquo;35 year old man. This bodes well for the future, as the former breeder has just started.

The Baraque des Bouviers inn is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed on Monday. Reservations recommended at 04 66 48 27 92. Facebook page: LaSimba. I subscribe to read more