1. Home
  2. curtain
  3. The last bar saves the soul of the village in Quessoy

The last bar saves the soul of the village in Quessoy

It has been 20 years since the Coatantiec family arrived in Quessoy. “We are going to celebrate the 2 decades in October”, announces the boss Christian. At the time, L’Arrivée was not the only bar to serve bowls. There was a tobacco bar at the hospital, the PMU in the town and even a bakery counter.

In the beginning, Christian was on Rue des Ruisseaux. 10 years ago, he moved to the shopping street, where the Corduan butcher and the Rouillé bakery are located. But recently, L’Arrivée is the last bar in the town.

"It's not a good sign when the curtains come down"

Christian Coatantiec

Two employees

But he at L'Arrivée is not giving up. “And yet the confinement was not a simple period”. He decided to invest by taking the PMU and hiring two employees. Sandrine, who worked at Ploeuc-sur-Lié, and Natacha, who served at Quintin.

Newcomers are happy to arrive in Quessoy. "Especially since the boss suggests that we workevery other Sunday". An advantage that weighed in the balance. An assumed choice for Christian Coatantiec: “We must therefore offer good conditions if we want to find people in our professions”.

In the middle of the horse

At lunchtime, some finish a small aperitif, others have coffee and read the newspaper. But many come to bet. With the PMU, we talk more about the equestrian world at L'Arrivée. But this is not a new subject for the Coatantiecs.

Carole was born in the middle of the horse, her father is a breeder and her brother a jockey. “We have horse racing in the family”, assures Christian, “our daughter was destined to go racing”. Until the accident.

Charlene had a fall from a horse when she was only 19 years old. Today she is in a wheelchair. But she, too, is not giving up. She has taken up disabled basketball, plays with the France team, and the 23-year-old girl hopes to participate in the Olympic Games.

Bets from €1

Bets are going well at the counter. “You should have played the 6”. The client tries to explain to me how to play and assures, "it's not very expensive, from 1 € the trifecta". He won big, once, "but above all it's an occupation and the opportunity to discuss a bit".

The last bar saves the soul of the village in Quessoy

A grandpa arrives with his dog, on the terrace side. It's coffee time. He appreciates the quiet life in the village of Quessoy.There are all the shops.Perhaps there is a lack of a restaurant open on weekends. But above all, “the last bar must remain open”.

And then L’Arrivée also leaves bread when the bakery is closed, “we work hand in hand”.

When young people from the Ville Davy high school show up at the entrance to L’Arrivée, “they are nice, they all prepare their health passes”.

Also read

But there, a worker stops. In addition to tobacco, he enjoys having a bottle of wine, “I am invited to dinner this evening”.

A wine that trots

Because Christian Coatantiec took advantage of the confinement to open a wine cellar. Right next to the press section. And there, there is champagne, crémant and wine. “In particular, I have a direct from the producer” says the boss, “a wine from Mrs. Bouchon, a Bordeaux called Timoko ”. He is the richest trotter in the history of trotting, his earnings exceeding 5 million euros.

Also read

Supplier to the Plédran canicross

In presenting his cellar, the boss of L'Arrivée specifies that he can also deliver for the associations' refreshments. "I'm the one doing the Corlay shopping". And soon, in May, “I supply for the canicross championship in Plédran”. Proud to have what you need, the drink of course, but also a dispenser, refreshment bar or barnum. Everything to party!

Also read

A wooden parrot

It was then that the Coatantiecs presented their parrot carved in wood. It is a work of Philippe Cormand.

"Philippe Cormand sculpted the parrot live for the inauguration of our bar in Quessoy"

Christian de L'Arrivée

The artist Philippe Cormand is known, in particular, for having signed the Pierre et lumière creations at the mushroom museum near Saumur.

The year of the 20th anniversary

The sculptor could return for the 20th anniversary of L'Arrivée. "We knew him in central Brittany where we had a Plounevez-Quintin bar". Because Christian Coatantiec has been a tobacconist since 1997. And recently he has an additional string to his bow, that of the PMU. Optimistic, "we believe in it", and in love with what he does, "in our jobs, we must not count the hours". So gallop! And maybe Philippe Cormand will sculpt a horse...

The Arrival, Quessoy. Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday 7am-9pm. Saturday 8am-8pm. Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Was this article useful to you? Note that you can follow Le Penthièvre in the My News space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.

Share