In Lusigny-sur-Barse, in the Aube department, a baker who had opened his bakery every day last summer was fined by the French administration for not respecting the rules that impose a weekly day off. The fine amounted to 3 000 euros (4 716 australian dollars).
The locals of this 2 000 inhabitants' town, located in a rather touristic area, have been supporting their baker by launching a petition. The mayor, Christian Branle, is also supportive and said the administration should be more understanding of the local issues. «In a touristic area, it seems necessary that we would rely on a shop opened daily during summer time. There is nothing worse than closed shops when there are tourists around", declared the mayor.
In this department, the weekly close periods of the bakeries is regulated by two prefectorial orders, one from 1994, one from 2000. Some exemptions are possible under certain circumstances. The baker was exempted in 2015 and 2016 for estival period but didn't get it last year. According to the administration, too many exemptions would mean the end of the prefectorial orders and the legalization of Sunday working which is still restricted in France. The majority of the bakers consulted at the end of last year by the Aube's Bakery-Pastry Federation said they don't want the rules to change and are not ready to say farewell to their day of.
The news has been discussed a lot on the social medias.
