Road restaurants, a continuous social link despite the restrictions related to Covid-19
Audio 02:27
In the Roye road center, in the Somme.
© RFI / Alexis Bédu
By: Alexis Bedu Follow
5 mins
While the curfew is tightening in France, there are rare places of conviviality still open.
The 250 roadside restaurants have been authorized to open their doors while all other establishments in the country remain closed.
They are reserved for truck drivers.
Report in one of them on the highway between Paris and Lille.
Publicity
Autoroute du Nord, exit 12. The restaurant at Roye's road center reopened two months ago.
“
Today, we have 400 to 500 vehicles passing through every day and we have between 150 and 200 meals every evening.
The Covid protocol is quite important.
The mask is mandatory as well as the cleaning and disinfection of cutlery and glasses, at each visit,
”explains his manager Boris dos Santos.
On the menu that evening: beef cheek Burgundy style, chili con carne or chicken supreme.
While waiting to be able to sit down at the table, the restaurant's large counter has once again become a place of sociability.
Antoine is a young Belgian driver.
At the bar, he meets Pierre, a Breton, an old man who only drives at night.
Both are happy to return to their restaurant.
“
In the evening it's still good to stop, to see a little bit of the world, and especially to eat at the table
”, admits one.
How did they manage during all this time of closure?
The other sidekick explains that they did what they could, with microwaves or sandwiches… He is happy to be able to come back to a counter, chat with other people, because “
always be alone behind the wheel , it is not obvious either
”.
A social landmark for a life of solitude
From Monday to Friday, they are in their trucks, traveling the roads of Europe.
A life of solitude.
Roye's highway center is a landmark for them.
“
Everything is for sale.
From microwaves to food, to accessories for trucks.
We are their second home.
The first is their truck, and the second is us,
”says Boris dos Santos.
Xavier has been a truck driver for 35 years and he knows the place well.
Once the dinner is swallowed, he joins his 28 tons in the parking lot.
He gladly shows what makes up his cabin: “
I have my television in my bunk, plugged into my car radio for home cinema.
Here I have my coffee maker and all my accessories, my fridge… Just like at home!
"
Like at home, with a full and warm stomach, he can sleep soundly on both ears.
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