France's shocking love affair with McDonald's
Filed under: Food
The French are known for their love affairs -- just take the old joke that a marriage in France often involves three people. The country that gave us fine cuisine and couture is involved in a steamy love affair with McDonald's. And things are heating up. Monday, a communal "quoi!" came with the news that McDonald's will be setting up shop in the Louvre. Yes, the Sun King's former palace, home of the Mona Lisa and one of the greatest cultural institutions of human history, has succumbed to le Big Mac. This wasn't the first time on the issue that people, namely Francophiles and the French themselves, thought civilization was over.
The introduction of McDonald's -- a symbol of global capitalism and hang over remedies -- into France was met with Bastille-like resistance.
In 1999, José Bové led a farmers' union protest. His demonstrators caused $150,000 damages when a McDo, as the French refer to it, opened in the southern city of Millau, land of Roquefort cheese. At the suggestion that French cheese be used in the Mcburgers, Bove compared it to sex shops selling holy water.
McDonald's took out newspaper ads to convince the French that they would support French farmers by using local ingredients and uphold France's strict employee protection standards -- it has. The chain restaurants also received French makeovers -- decorated with wood carvings and unique colors. Those gauche golden arches? Shrunk down like Smart Cars.
The strategy worked. Today, there are more than 1,000 McDonald's in France. Chief executive Jim Skinner told Les Echos, an economic daily, the McDonald's on the Champs-Elysees is the most profitable in the world.
It seemed a natural fit to add a McDonald's to the Carrousel du Louvre, as the world's most visited museum's food court, run by a private company, is called, to celebrate the 30 year affair to remember.
For a look at the dazzling decor of a Parisian McDonald's click through this gallery:
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A McDonald's in Paris
McDonald's had to give their restaurant chains a make-over in order to do business in France. Check out some of the fancy touches.
Andrea Chalupa
AFP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-08-2009 @ 11:44AM
Dan said...
well , the story is part true, rest a big lie!
1st, Real French don't eat garbage, they sell there for tourists.....and cheap
2, They are desperately to change French in eating their kids, garbage food, , don't how many people knows: Mc Donald is selling beer and wine in their French restaurants> At least was selling when I was there.
3, After making our kids fat, bribe them with a $.50 plastic toy, not they want to make French kids fat and sick!!!
What a great message to the world!
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10-09-2009 @ 3:39PM
dave said...
It's not the food that makes people fat, it is the fact that people don't excercise. I eat 3,000+ calories per day and have a BMI less than 20.
10-11-2009 @ 10:10AM
King David said...
It is apparent that you have eaten waaaaaaaayyyyy too many Big Mac's -- the fat content must have settled in your brain since you have no ability to spell or use proper syntax. Always remember one thing: When you point an accusing finger at someone notice, and remember, where the other fingers are pointing!!!
Now, in defense of the home of the Big Mac -- I'm sure that when tourists are anywhere, particularly American tourists, they not only look for something "normal" to them but also look for a potential "value" compared to the over priced food that is the area of the sites worth visiting. And, I'm sure the locals would want a price break too so welcome to the world of "Big Business". Since McDonald's has bowed to the rules of the country, as far as what they wanted to protect and perpetuate, then all should be "well".
10-09-2009 @ 9:17AM
Michael said...
I always get a kick out of seeing American tourists in Europe eating at Mc Donalds. Till once I got so sick of pasta and pizza, I found myself at the golden arches in Italy. It was crap sure, but it was American crap!
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10-09-2009 @ 4:19PM
John said...
I stopped in McDonald's in Copenhagen for Coffee. I was with some German friends to whom coffee was an hour long affair, complete with cakes and other sweets. We were in and out in 15 minutes and got to see the city.
10-09-2009 @ 3:24PM
Evey said...
I bought coffee at a McDonald's in Rouen, and I saw maybe three French people. These restaurants are making money off of the American tourists who want to eat things they're familiar with. Putting a McDonald's in the Louvre really ticks me off. Twelve days in France, and I saw maybe five people who might have been overweight. They are a healthy country. If you want garbage, look to American restaurants.
I might add, the coffee I purchased at the French McDonald's tasted much better than the same product over here, as did my sister's burger. Let's hope it stays that way as more restaurants open.
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10-09-2009 @ 5:30PM
Loren said...
We visit France at least once a year and we eat at Mc Donalds everyday. The food is safe for my junk food junky wife and I must say that it is a better quality than here. McDonalds food here gives me indijestion but not in France and the Coke is the old kind, it's great. But there is no need for one at the Louvre. There are 3 not far from there.
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10-09-2009 @ 6:40PM
mark turner said...
"Royale with cheese!"
Reply
10-09-2009 @ 8:05PM
lisa said...
disgusting,,,they are soo guilty of cruel factory farming and putting high fructose corn in everything. how disgusting the french have sold out their values..as for macdonalds their treatment of animals and slaughter makes them the ultimate sinners
Reply
10-13-2009 @ 9:55AM
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