Saint-Quentin: Christmas Village ends on an optimistic note – L’Aisne Nouvelle

The record is somewhat mixed among traders of the Christmas Village. Saturday, January 2, the first “deserters” left closed chalets, revealing the end of the annual event.

But the “resistant”, those who hold their stall to the end, s’ agree on one thing: the weather was particularly mild this year. “ We do not have this every year ,” says Nicole Bousigniere even amid the plush linens, making the Village for 20 years.

No snow very little rain gave a small boost in attendance. If it has not always reached that of last year – while the town was celebrating its 20th anniversary, the world was there. But not always enough. “ People came to walk, but not to buy ” regrets Pascaline Gras, which takes Red tagada.

His French and Italian sweaters, like its scarves, hats and hides -nez do not have many takers. Perhaps the fault at temperatures well above 10 degrees. But shopping has been a decline in business for three years.

The hot wine less tempting

A drop also raised by Jean-Marie Beun, he notices in general. However, the heat also had its consequences. Waffles and mulled wine are less tempted walkers. Like the pancakes Was Marcus Aurelius, the chef at The Tarragon.

Conversely, foie gras, great wines and local produce found buyer. Savine Lefevre, of Coucy-le-Chateau, and Jean-Luc Coste, beekeeper Driencourt (Somme), testify: “ This is the fifth year that made the Village. There are clients that loyalty. “

” This is a better year “even advance Bruno Archer, ABC wines. Since 10 years in the village, “ people know me, come to me .” If 2015 was lackluster for him, December caught up. “ Maybe people wanted to have fun. ”

Especially as this 21st edition happened in conditions somewhat special. Parisian attacks of November 13 requiring enhanced security and entry to the dropper, which was not to everyone’s taste.

In the middle, the Tavern, run by Leisure and traditions, is a somewhat apart. Because the audience comes here as to shelter only to admire. Not necessarily to consume. “ What matters to us is an influx of visitors and not systematic profitability “, insists Roland Lamy, president of the association. Although it notes that the public is still closer to the cost and the craft beer will have prevailed over mulled wine this year.

Still, the audience was waiting for you. Without a great year, traders defend a record “ way ” or “ Normal .” And for less “spoiled”, they keep smiling. “ I come back every year ,” says Pascaline Gras. And again there in December 2016.