McDonald's restaurants to open at the Louvre

[Il-Mari]

Lovers of France's two great symbols of cultural exception – its haute cuisine and fine art – are aghast at plans to open a McDonald's restaurant and McCafé in the Louvre museum next month.

America's fast food temple is celebrating its 30th anniversary in France with a coup -the opening of its 1,142nd Gallic outlet a few yards from the entrance to the country's Mecca of high art and the world's most visited museum.

The chain faces a groundswell of discontent among museum staff, many already unhappy about the Louvre lending its name and works to a multi-million pound museum project in Abu Dhabi.

"This is the last straw," said one art historian working at the Louvre, who declined to be named. "This is the pinnacle of exhausting consumerism, deficient gastronomy and very unpleasant odours in the context of a museum," he told the Daily Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...he-Louvre.html

- Il-Mari

[DemonWolf]

While it may spoil the look of the area and while a fine dining experience may fit better with a fine art museum, fast food really is to be expected. If I were visiting there, I would probably only be in town for a few days and would not want to waste time sitting at a dining table when I could be sight-seeing or visiting the museum. Sure, I would want to sample the area's fine dining as well, but I'd want to be able to plan the experience and truly enjoy it rather than be rushed by a desire to get back into the museum and see the stuff that I haven't seen yet.

[Andrew of Ware]

Louvre Pour Tous, a website whose aim is to "inform and defend" museum visitors, said: "Henri Loyrette, president of the Louvre museum just had to say one word to stop the whiff of French fries from wafting past the Mona Lisa's nose..."

So now we know why she has that enigmatic smile.

Many of Britain's larger museums have their own restaurants. The British Museum has three in the Great Court serving excellent, if expensive, food. I am surprised the Louvre does not have its own restaurants.

[Die Capacitrix]

Originally Posted by Andrew of Ware

So now we know why she has that enigmatic smile.

Many of Britain's larger museums have their own restaurants. The British Museum has three in the Great Court serving excellent, if expensive, food. I am surprised the Louvre does not have its own restaurants.

The Louvre does. Some of the worst museum food I have ever had the misfortune to have eaten. There is so much to see, and the security is such a pain, we decided to eat in the museum cafe. Not impressed.

The Natural History Museum in Washington D.C. has even worse food.

If a museum is not able to serve edible food (especially at the prices they charge), then they should contract out. McDonald's has the advantage that the food, while not great, is consistent and fast. Perfect for tourists who want to see everything.

If I had my preference, I would prefer a Panera. But that's just me.

[Tarquin Farquart]

Originally Posted by Andrew of Ware

Many of Britain's larger museums have their own restaurants. The British Museum has three in the Great Court serving excellent, if expensive, food. I am surprised the Louvre does not have its own restaurants.

The coffee in the Tate is okay.

[Nick Theodorakis]

I was about to write that the Indianapolis Museum of Art has a Puck's (as in Wolfgang) but upon looking it up, I see they've replaced it with a cafe that is supposed to specialize in locally grown food.

Nick

[Ana Ng]

Originally Posted by DemonWolf

While it may spoil the look of the area and while a fine dining experience may fit better with a fine art museum, fast food really is to be expected. If I were visiting there, I would probably only be in town for a few days and would not want to waste time sitting at a dining table when I could be sight-seeing or visiting the museum.

Not to be Captain Obvious here, but as one who likes trying as many different foods as possible and thinks one should especially do so while in different places, I have to vote against non-French people patronizing this establishment. I remember some really awesome food even from rest stops in Italy, and when my husband's friends visited NYC I was constantly riding them (not that way) to get independent local stuff rather than eat the same chain stuff they could get back in Limerick City. In NYC, if you want fast food, you could check out F&B, Crif Dogs (which I understand is good but I've never been), Gray's Papaya, Mamoun's Falafel (get the shwarma, trust me), Beard Papa's, or Dojo for the best soy burgers and chicken wings ever and under $4 a person to boot.

I don't mean to presume, it's just something I really think everyone should do if they can when they're in new places. Avoid anything you can get at home. You never know when or if you'll be back.

ETA: I forgot the granddaddy of all ambitious fast food, Danny Meyer's Shake Shack. The homemade frozen custard is sooooo good.

[Insensible Crier]

Originally Posted by DemonWolf

While it may spoil the look of the area...

I think they already killed that when they put in the pyramids.

[Tarquin Farquart]

Originally Posted by Insensible Crier

I think they already killed that when they put in the pyramids.

Erm... I like the pyramid...

[Errata]

Originally Posted by DemonWolf

While it may spoil the look of the area and while a fine dining experience may fit better with a fine art museum, fast food really is to be expected. If I were visiting there, I would probably only be in town for a few days and would not want to waste time sitting at a dining table when I could be sight-seeing or visiting the museum. Sure, I would want to sample the area's fine dining as well, but I'd want to be able to plan the experience and truly enjoy it rather than be rushed by a desire to get back into the museum and see the stuff that I haven't seen yet.

That's a false dichotomy. Fine dining and a fast food franchise aren't the only two options. Before McDonald's came along, people eating out in France didn't have to eat at 3 Michelin star restaurants for every meal. A regular cafe seems like it would serve that function just as well as a McCafe, and would probably be more appropriate for a major cultural landmark like that.

If you're only going to be there for a few days, all the more reason not to waste a limited opportunity like that on junk food.

[Hero_Mike]

Originally Posted by Errata

If you're only going to be there for a few days, all the more reason not to waste a limited opportunity like that on junk food.

There's another reason for the popularity - cost. When I was in France now 13 years ago, I was often eating fast food for lunch. Why? Because at McD's or BK I could eat lunch for the equivalent of $10CDN, where the non-fast-food restaurants in that area would be double that. I was there for business and had a $40 per diem. To minimize my out-of-pocket cost, I had to cut back. Breakfast was in my hotel room (I had a fridge and kitchenette), lunch was fast food, which allowed me to have a nice dinner.

Some people have tight budgets.

[Ana Ng]

Originally Posted by Hero_Mike

There's another reason for the popularity - cost. When I was in France now 13 years ago, I was often eating fast food for lunch. Why? Because at McD's or BK I could eat lunch for the equivalent of $10CDN, where the non-fast-food restaurants in that area would be double that. I was there for business and had a $40 per diem. To minimize my out-of-pocket cost, I had to cut back. Breakfast was in my hotel room (I had a fridge and kitchenette), lunch was fast food, which allowed me to have a nice dinner.

Some people have tight budgets.

When I was in Ireland, though, I could get a really good sandwich and a packet of Taytos from a shop for like, half the price of a meal at McDonald's. I think it depends on what kind of food we're talking about. I was thinking like a to go sandwich or something similar, not table service.

[Beachlife!]

Originally Posted by Errata

That's a false dichotomy. Fine dining and a fast food franchise aren't the only two options. Before McDonald's came along, people eating out in France didn't have to eat at 3 Michelin star restaurants for every meal. A regular cafe seems like it would serve that function just as well as a McCafe, and would probably be more appropriate for a major cultural landmark like that.

If you're only going to be there for a few days, all the more reason not to waste a limited opportunity like that on junk food.

It all depends on what one's goals are. I spent three months living and working in Argentina. I had a lot of nice meals, but I didn't always have the time to have a sit down meal, especially when it would commonly take well over an hour even at casual cafes. Having McDonalds (or local fast food) allowed me to get something quick and get back to work.

Even when I travel for leisure there are times when fast food is both more convient and a wise use of time. So long as one is not subsisting entirely on McDonalds, I don't see it as a big issue. If I've eaten multiple meals in cafes in Paris, having a quick lunch at McDonads and spending an extra hour in Louvre would be the smart choice, IMO.

[DemonWolf]

Originally Posted by Errata

That's a false dichotomy. Fine dining and a fast food franchise aren't the only two options. Before McDonald's came along, people eating out in France didn't have to eat at 3 Michelin star restaurants for every meal. A regular cafe seems like it would serve that function just as well as a McCafe, and would probably be more appropriate for a major cultural landmark like that.

If you're only going to be there for a few days, all the more reason not to waste a limited opportunity like that on junk food.

I did not mean to imply that there were no steps between Mcdonalds and a 5-star restaurant, nor did I mean to imply that there are no other fast food places other than McD's. There are Bistros and Cafe's and pubs. But my point was that fast food's "grab and go" type of service makes it an atttractive (to the customer), and profitable choice for this location. At a cafe or bistro, I may still need to sit at a table and be waited on while I am in a rush to sate my hunger and move on to the next item on my to-do list.

The sidewalk cafes are a part of the Paris experience just as much as the museums and shops, but some days, you are in too much of a hurry to enjoy those and others, you take it easier and sit and enjoy what there is to offer.

Also, McD's offers familliar foods (to Americans). If I am running late and in a hirry, I may prefer the ease of getting a familliar food item and scarfing it down. It certanly takes some of the stress out of finding something to eat that I know won't take too much time. There may be other fast food places around, but I may not know what I want before I even get in the door like I would a place that is familliar.

[Errata]

Originally Posted by Beachlife!

I had a lot of nice meals, but I didn't always have the time to have a sit down meal, especially when it would commonly take well over an hour even at casual cafes.

They have local quick street food options that are a suitable alternative to McDonalds in both speed and price, and are more appropriate for a major French cultural institution. You can be in and out of a boulangerie, patisserie, or creperie with a to go lunch in 5 minutes. A cafe doesn't have to be a sit down restaurant with table service. They can be little more than a coffee shop, and often have very simple, quick food. Sometimes even pre-made food to pick out. If time is a concern, they would be considering the kind that people can be in and out of quickly, so comparing it to a full service restaurant that takes an hour isn't a fair comparison. Like I said, France had things to fill the niche of food for people who don't want to spend a lot of time and money before McDonalds came along.

Originally Posted by DemonWolf

Also, McD's offers familliar foods (to Americans). If I am running late and in a hirry, I may prefer the ease of getting a familliar food item and scarfing it down. It certanly takes some of the stress out of finding something to eat that I know won't take too much time. There may be other fast food places around, but I may not know what I want before I even get in the door like I would a place that is familliar.

If you're on a vacation in another country, that's the last time you want to insulate yourself from new experiences. It defeats the point of travelling. Would you really be better off having 6 hours in the Louvre than having 5 hours and 55 minutes in the Louvre because you spent an extra 5 minutes deciphering an unfamiliar menu in order to have a new experience exploring the local cuisine instead of going into a McDonald's and eating something you've already had before? I don't know about you, but after a few hours in a museum, I look forward to a chance to sit down for a few minutes and decompress, and afterwards I get more out of the rest of the day than if I try to soldier through the entire time with no breaks. The food in France is an integral part of the experience, and it's just a shame that you can only experience a limited number of calories in a finite trip. It's worth a few minutes to make good choices about it.

[Hero_Mike]

Originally Posted by Ana Ng

When I was in Ireland, though, I could get a really good sandwich and a packet of Taytos from a shop for like, half the price of a meal at McDonald's. I think it depends on what kind of food we're talking about. I was thinking like a to go sandwich or something similar, not table service.

Location. Location. Location. I was in Nice, on the coast. A pint of beer cost 40FF ($10 CDN back then). My per-diem was $40 CDN - or 160FF.

A typical coffee cost 15FF - even locals were going to McD's for coffee (only 6FF there), as it was made using the same machine at the other places.

A sandwich shop did open near the office I was working at - when my trip was almost over. They had a decent lunch in the 50FF neighbourhood, but it got reptitive. Most of the locals in that office brown-bagged.

[jw]

Originally Posted by Ana Ng

Not to be Captain Obvious here, but as one who likes trying as many different foods as possible and thinks one should especially do so while in different places, I have to vote against non-French people patronizing this establishment.

I dunno. McDonalds has rapidly grown in France, according to the article,

opening of its 1,142nd Gallic outlet a few yards from the entrance

However, I have noticed that some of the McDonalds restaurants in France have very posh furnishings as in seating and tables compared to the standard plastic in virtually any other country where I've seen their restaurants.
This one in Narbonne, has luxurious cream and chocolate leather seats with hardwood tables and wouldn't look out of place in much more expensive restaurants in the city.

[Insensible Crier]

Originally Posted by Tarquin Farquart

Erm... I like the pyramid...

It's a very nice pyramid. It just looks so out of place. It looks like something that should be in front of a hotel in Las Vegas or a science museum with a laser light show.

[Morgaine]

When we go to Europe we will probably eat at a McDonalds at least once in every country. Why? To see the differences. Is the Happy Meal toy for a movie or tV show we've never heard of? Do they offer different foods? Instead of a Dollar Menu, do they have a Euro Menu? This trip is an educational experience and comparing & contrasting is an important skill.
We will spend plenty of time doing touristy things (like museums) & non-touristy things (like visiting the grocery store). Anything can be an experience when you're in a different country.

[johnny football star]

Originally Posted by Errata

If you're on a vacation in another country, that's the last time you want to insulate yourself from new experiences. It defeats the point of travelling. Would you really be better off having 6 hours in the Louvre than having 5 hours and 55 minutes in the Louvre because you spent an extra 5 minutes deciphering an unfamiliar menu in order to have a new experience exploring the local cuisine instead of going into a McDonald's and eating something you've already had before? I don't know about you, but after a few hours in a museum, I look forward to a chance to sit down for a few minutes and decompress, and afterwards I get more out of the rest of the day than if I try to soldier through the entire time with no breaks. The food in France is an integral part of the experience, and it's just a shame that you can only experience a limited number of calories in a finite trip. It's worth a few minutes to make good choices about it.

When I travel abroad, I make it a point to go to McDonald's once. I find it interesting to see how a classic American institution such as McDonald's is interpreted or change to meet the needs of the local culture. Things that we think are universal might actually turn out to be unique to America, and we might not realize that until we see how another country adopts something that originally came from America.

Of course I only do this once per trip, but I find it interesting.