Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach 4:45 p.m., March 07, 2022
Until 1967, the town of Châteauroux (Indre) was home to a NATO logistics base where thousands of French civilians and American soldiers converged every day... It was when hearing the soldiers complain about the tasteless food served on the military base, that Joseph Gagné had an idea.
In 1952, this American, married to a Frenchwoman, opened the "Joe from Maine - Lunch bar", a restaurant specializing in American cuisine, right in the city centre.
Soon, GI's and Castelroussins are lining up on the sidewalk to enjoy a hot dog or hamburger.
Clémentine Portier-Kaltenbach tells you the story of the first fast food restaurant in France.