06/06/2026

The traditional French bistro is mounting a comeback. In recent times, an average of 25 a day have been shutting their doors, as eating habits change across France. Now though, efforts are underway to save them.

Briony May Williams travels through the south of the country to find out what this casual form of dining has brought to French culture. She heads to a village that's finally about to reopen a bistro that it lost many years ago, and explores the rowdy breakfast culture of Lyon's Machon cafes.