I recall a trip to the Pyrenees many years ago when we crossed from the French side to Spain. In France the restaurants would be all closed up by 9:00pm while in Spain you could not by a bag of chips before 9:30!
A progressive dinner could therefore be arranged!
Richard - that sounds about right! Although from Nat’s reports, sometimes the French don’t even bother opening!
congés annuels is a real hazard traveling in France
I have a friend who recently moved to near Toulouse - they have many stories of arriving at restaurants/ cafes at the wrong time and not being allowed to eat.