It seems impossible that something as vital to French life as the local bistro could need protection, but with a decline in numbers nationwide from 600,000 in 1960 to fewer than 35,000 today, one campaign group is springing into action. Their aim is to win World Heritage status for the traditional Parisian bistro, with all that it involves: trays of wine glasses balanced on zinc bar counters, copies of Le Monde folded on red-checked tablecloths and white-aproned waiting staff who may come across as grumpy to those unversed in French restaurant customs (or who might just be grumpy anyway). We raise a toast to the continued health of this institution…
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