Around noon, the Valberg souvenir shop is empty. And the saleswoman pouts. “There aren’t too many people, they’ve all gone to Brittany. Anyway, that’s what he says to himself. And you see, there’s no one in the street”.
This Monday, August 7, a few onlookers roam this family resort in the high country of Nice. Not enough for some. Not for others, who however regret that business is too calm. “There are people, but people do not consume, believes Laurent, owner of the bar-tabac. They look at the prices a lot, or ask us to make discounts”.
Everything and its opposite to explain a decline
It says a bit of everything and its opposite, in the streets of Valberg, halfway through this summer season. That people have run out of money, that it’s too cold in the mountains, that they’ve gone to Spain, that they’ve bought a second home there since the Covid and that they don’t come out not. As if a downward trend. It remains to be seen where.
Charline Cattan came from Cagnes-sur-Mer with her family. They picnic on the lawn, in front of the square. “It’s the third time we’ve been up and there are fewer people: on the terrace, there’s room, whereas in normal times, it’s hard to find.”
But activities and housing are on the rise
To her observation, she adds an explanation: “All the hotels have increased by 20 to 25%. we cook.”
The argument comes back: the terraces are sparse, so there are fewer people. Restaurant owners also confirm that they have fewer people. But this is a misleading effect, according to Alexis Barrois, director of the tourist office: “Many people rely on the occupation of the terraces, but we have an increase in demand for our activities of 10 to 14% and Contrary to what many people think, there is an increase in housing occupancy in July. At the convenience store, they are a hit… Maybe people have the same budget as last year, but that faced with when prices rise, they are cutting back on catering”.
At the bakery, we sell more
Visitors have clearly made a choice this year: to opt for the picnic rather than the restaurant. The proof, we confirm “a good year”, at one of the convenience stores. And at the bakery, we confirm: “There is no picture, we are much more regarding salty. It must be said that for thirty euros, a family can eat…”
Many point to the increase in restaurant prices. On site, we found à la carte dishes ranging between 17 and 28 euros, desserts at 9 euros. “I try not to increase my prices too much, defends a restaurateur. But sometimes, we have no choice. Pizza cheese, for example, cost 11 euros, now it’s 16 euros. But we understand , purchasing power is down. I have four kids, when we eat out, it goes quickly…”
(Photo A. L.)
Révital Gauthier came to Valberg with her family. These Niçois – two parents and their three children – have organized themselves to the millimeter.
“It’s one of the cheapest destinations for us, we come in search of nature, it’s cooler… We have to organize ourselves properly, it allows us holidays in the mountains. I don’t see where we might go. We look at the price of accommodation. Les Deux Alpes (in Isère), it’s not too expensive, but there is the trip…”
The family has calculated: it has for 1,500 euros per week. “500 euros for accommodation, 500 for activities, 500 for food, continues Révital. And once more, we found good deals: a friend rents us accommodation for 60 euros per night.”
The father gets into the car alone with the groceries
A friend who rents them an apartment below the market price is what saves them. “Last year, the hotels had already increased seriously: 250 euros per night in a hotel apartment”.
“We take the bikes, we don’t do paid stuff with them every day,” explains the mother. But the real achievement is in the organization of the food: “We took all the groceries, we went upstairs with our fruits and vegetables. My mother cooks all day. My husband got in the car alone with the groceries and I am boarding the bus with the children. We calculate everything.”
