In Nice, many restaurants and bars only have terraces to receive their customers.
With the climate law, it is now forbidden to heat the terraces if they are not closed and airtight.
A measure which "will have consequences" for the restaurateurs of Cours Saleya and Place Garibaldi but "a good thing" for ecology according to the people of Nice.
This Thursday noon, it is almost 20°C in the sun, even if it is shy for the start of April in Nice.
On the terrace, some customers are still wearing down jackets while others are wearing T-shirts.
It's probably because they're sitting directly below an outdoor heater that makes their cheeks blush.
These devices, which appeared at the end of the 20th century to create an extension of establishments open to the public, became increasingly popular when smoking was banned in closed and covered places.
But since April 1 and the entry into force of the climate law voted in August 2021, they are now prohibited.
Cities like Rennes or Lyon had not waited to implement this measure, which, according to the government, will save half a million tonnes of CO2 per year.
“I only have my terrace”
This news did not reach the capital of the Côte d'Azur, given the many heaters still on a week after the publication of the decree.
"I've vaguely heard of it," admits the manager of a restaurant in the Cours Saleya in a half-word.
But we have to.
Here, everyone has their cutlery outside.
This has too serious consequences on our customers and therefore our activity.
»
Same opinion on Place Garibaldi where the manager launches directly that he will not stop the heating.
“No one will come to our restaurant if we don't have one.
We don't have an interior.
And then, when customers come, it's to be comfortable.
It's not for eating with a blanket.
»
That's what David thinks, drinking coffee.
For him, this law is “stupid”.
“When I come to consume, it's to have a moment of pleasure, not to be cold,” he says.
If there's no more heating, you might as well stay at home!
»
An “ecological aberration”
This is a subject that seems to divide the people of Nice.
César, the boss of the Civette du Cours, only said three sentences: “Humans have to adapt.
If it's an aberration for some, it's an ecological one for me.
You have to start somewhere !
“He will be obliged to invest so that his exterior is “all closed” because the law allows the use of this equipment in places “covered, airtight, closed by rigid walls”.
Daniela agrees.
This client has been an “ecologist for years”.
For her, “these machines warm the planet.
If I'm cold, I put on a coat or go inside.
I am really happy with this law.
It has to change because now there is an emergency!
»
At two tables, Clotilde has just asked to turn on the small radiator and admits “it's the first time that [she's done] that because [she's] frozen”.
"It allows us to stay outside longer," she says.
Before continuing: “But at the same time, for ecology, there is a case of conscience.
In addition, in Nice, we are lucky here because the weather is good all the time.
It's achievable because we still have the sun and when it rains, we just don't go out!
»
Establishments that do not comply with this measure are liable to a fine of 1,500 euros and 3,000 euros in the event of a repeat offense.
The controls will be educational until next winter.
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