Preparing your terrace for the summer

Updated on December 13, 2022

It's official: the weather is BEAUTIFUL!

With the blue sky and the arrival of the beautiful days, everyone has only one desire: to settle down on the terrace to enjoy the first rays of the sun and a glass of rosé (with ice cubes).

The terrace being a real asset to increase your turnover, we have studied the subject. You will find in this file the legal constraints, our best rosés, the inspirations of the most beautiful terraces in France and even our opinion on the Ice Bag trend.

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What does the law say?

As far as regulations are concerned, the law is very strict concerning the installation of terraces in front of businesses. A temporary occupation permit (AOT) for the public domain is mandatory for professionals who wish to occupy a part of the sidewalk which is basically reserved for pedestrians and must meet the conditions set by the administrative authority in charge of its management, which is generally the municipality. This AOT takes the form of a decree, and entails the payment of a fee, the amount of which varies according to the duration of the operation, the commercial value of the street occupied and the size of the terrace.

It should be noted first of all that only the owners of businesses located on the first floor and open to the public can obtain a terrace or stall permit. This authorization is personal (cannot be sold), precarious (valid for a determined period of time) and revocable (can be withdrawn at any time).

There are three types of terrace:

• The open terrace: must be attached to the front of the establishment. It must be equipped with tables and chairs
• The counter terrace: must be located at the edge of the sidewalk
• The closed terrace: It is necessary to ask for a permission of roadway. The elements must be removable within 8 hours.

Conditions to respect:

• Pedestrians must be able to circulate without being inconvenienced, especially for people with reduced mobility
• The tranquility of the neighborhood must be preserved
• Hygiene rules must be respected (especially for foodstuffs)

What must be included in the application for an AOT ?

• A copy of the certificate of registration in the trade register (Kbis extract);
• A copy of the license in the name of the owner or the operator of the business for beverage vendors and restaurant owners;
• A copy of the commercial lease or the title of ownership;
• The insurance certificate for the occupation of the public domain;
• A description of the terrace or display and the materials used, generally a dimensioned plan specifying the location of the device on the sidewalk;
• A bank statement...

Rosé wines that work

After having been decried for a long time, rosé has been the top of the trendy drink for some time now! It is true that it is a wine that is accessible to the palate (fruity, fresh), with a refined color, well-packaged and easy to pair with various dishes. A craze that goes far beyond our borders, although France remains the first country in the world to consume rosé wine, but which remains closely linked to the summer period. Here is our top rosé wine of the summer!

A summer rosé that goes off the beaten track: the Bourgogne Rosé from Domaine Céline & Fréderic Gueguen

Even the Burgundians, prestigious land of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are getting into rosé! The Domaine Gueguen signs here a vintage all in elegance. A pretty rosewood color. A discreet nose of peach blossom and wild strawberry, enriched with a pleasant hint of smoke. A frank mouth, with a tangy finish.

An invigorating rosé for a fresh aperitif: zucchini salad with feta cheese, mixed salad of tomatoes, strawberries and basil, verrine of shrimps and avocado.

The sure thing: A Provence rosé from Château de Calavon

Fleshy and round rosé, pale pink with salmon hues. The nose is fruity and slightly spicy, round and fresh. .... A wine that breathes the sun!

Ideal as an aperitif, but also throughout the meal, for grilled red mullet with garlic cream, a lamb tagine with preserved lemon, a bouillabaisse and even an osso bucco.

Fruit, fruit, fruit: the promise of this Rhone Valley rosé produced at Château de Nages

Château de Nages is not only a fabulous Rhone Valley terroir, it is also the birthplace of the Gassier family. In search of true pleasure wines, they have freed themselves from the shackles of the appellation and modern oenology.

When you taste this wine, you have the impression of smelling a candy: a concert of strawberries, blackcurrants, and redcurrants... In the mouth this rosé is very fruity and aromatic, you discover sparkling, pure and lively notes. In short, a successful score!

And what if we dared a rosé with bubbles? The Rosé de Saignée from the Champagne house Jeaunaux Robin

Because summer is also the season of weddings, and multiple festivities, the Rosé Champagne is our guest.
A traditional rosé of the house Jeaunaux-Robin, resulting from a short maceration. A strong color, for an exceptional fruitiness. A rosé Champagne for gourmets to toast to summer!

See all our rosés

The most beautiful terraces in France

Terrace with a panoramic view, terrace with a garden, terrace in a small courtyard, terrace on a rooftop... Les Grappes has selected the most beautiful terraces in France so that you, too, can create THE terrace that will make you happy. you can create THE terrace that will make your neighbors jealous and that will make you the hippest bar/restaurant in the area... or simply to make you travel a little.

Le plongeoir - Nice

In the heart of a typical site of Nice, the diving board will know how to put you in full sight. This restaurant installed on a rock in the middle of the Mediterranean sea is an unusual place distributed between two spaces: the diving board and the rock. To discover absolutely for all the lovers of the open sea and gastronomy!

Le bistrot des dames - Paris

A real institution in its neighborhood, the Bistrot des Dames is ideally located between Montmartre and the Place de Clichy and has an idyllic interior garden reminiscent of the countryside. So for all the Parisians in need of greenery, this small corner of paradise is the place which will fill the time of one evening or one afternoon your need for escape.

Le Nid - Nantes

With a panoramic view of the city of Nantes, this roof terrace perched at the top of the Bretagne tower invites you to imagine. As soon as you reach the top, the magic happens. Reaching the end of the 32 floors that lead to the nest is a bit like reaching the 7th heaven, so it's up to you!

Frida - Bordeaux

Located in the heart of old Bordeaux, Frida is a real treat for the eyes and for the taste buds. The exotic colors of the indoor garden and the guinguette spirit will put you in a good mood in any circumstance!

Le Moulin du Roc - Champagnac de Bel-Air

Yes, paradise has a name and it is called Le Moulin du Roc. Located in the Périgord, this hotel restaurant offers a bucolic setting. Straddling a canal, this little jewel is a real haven of peace and an invitation to relax.

The Ice Bag trend

The Ice Bag or bottle coolers have been a real success for a few years. A real solution to keep your bottles cool in all circumstances and at any time of the year, this small ice bucket is flexible and easy to carry and will soon become indispensable! Indeed, since a few years, the Ice Bag is a real hit with individuals and professionals.

Real communication tool, the Ice Bag is the trendy and fun object of the moment to find on any table! It is available in several collections, including one for professionals. This collection offers 19 models with different sizes and thicknesses, from cans to jeroboams. It is also possible according to the desires and the tastes to create personalized Ice Bag knowing that there are 3 models available: the classic shape (tube handles), the Square (square shape, cut out handles), the Vask (trapezoid shape, cut out handles)

Need to be accompanied?

Les GrappesLes Grappes, the French leader in direct wine distribution to professionals, facilitates the purchase of wine directly from the winemakers. Les Grappes centralizes the orders of more than 1,200 winegrowers with a single point of contact, from ordering to billing. We accompany cafés, hotels, restaurants, wine cellars in their choice of wines, but also in the realization of customized wine lists! According to your project, your tastes and your budget, we help you to choose the best wines in short circuit. To be put in contact with our team,click here!