France - Are French Restaurants Subject To Health Inspections?

We have several threads going on in the FT New York City Forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/new-york-city-465/) in which the subject of the City's Health Department restaurant inspection program (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/rii/index.shtml) is discussed. En bref, every one of the city's 24,000 restaurants is supposed to be inspected at least once a year and a grade of A, B or C is posted in the window. If the inspection is failed, the restaurant may be shut down.

I am curious if there is a similar system in France and particularly Paris. I checked the site of Ville de Paris (http://www.paris.fr) but could find nothing. A similar search on the one from the Ministère de la Santé (http://www.sante.gouv.fr/)was also fruitless.

I must admit that as often as I have visited Paris, I don't know anything about this.

Hi Landing Gear, while I can't confirm that any of this is true information, I thought it was an interesting thread, albeit older, on Tripadvisor.

Check it out. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k3934739-o10-Are_there_restaurants_health_inspection_in_France-Paris_Ile_de_France.html)


Bobette

Sanitary controls are done by the veterinary agents. These controls are accompanied by an important information and training of professionals.

With regard to routine controls, 35,000 inspections are conducted in the canteens of social services by veterinary agents throughout the year. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture participates jointly with the Ministry in charge of consumer protection and other relevant administrations to a control strengthened, twice a year (summertime and Christmas period).

In 1996, 14 236 establishments in the commercial catering sector have been inspected. These visits have resulted in 3,188 warnings, 294 minutes and 68 closures; 5152 establishments in the sector of social catering were inspected, which lead to 627 warnings and 2 closures.

http://www.senat.fr/questions/base/1997/qSEQ970903026.html

Hi Landing Gear, while I can't confirm that any of this is true information, I thought it was an interesting thread, albeit older, on Tripadvisor.

Check it out. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k3934739-o10-Are_there_restaurants_health_inspection_in_France-Paris_Ile_de_France.html)


Bobette

Hi Bobette,

What a thread there! So many messages and no one answered the question!

If only French wait staff were subjected to regular politeness inspections.

If only French wait staff were subjected to regular politeness inspections.

Do you want to kill all bars, cafes and restaurants in Paris?:D

If only French wait staff were subjected to regular politeness inspections.

I don't agree with this stereotype. Actually the French culture is steeped in "la politesse" and my experience with my many many trips to France is that most French people are super-polite. Much more so than Americans!

In stores, it's actually MORE important to the retail workers that you say hello and goodbye than if you buy something!

These jokes about the French rudeness are tired and in reality, false.

These jokes about the French rudeness are tired and in reality, false.

+1,000,000. Bravo!

If only French wait staff were subjected to regular politeness inspections.

With a smiling "bonjour", I very rarely have bad service in France.

With a smiling "bonjour", I very rarely have bad service in France.

^ And you generally get a real smile back. Not a fake "don't forget my tip" smile... :rolleyes:

+1 ^

As a visitor anywhere, or in any circumstance, it costs nothing to be polite and smile, and you'd be surprised how well repaid this initial investment can be!

I don't agree with this stereotype. Actually the French culture is steeped in "la politesse" and my experience with my many many trips to France is that most French people are super-polite. Much more so than Americans!

In stores, it's actually MORE important to the retail workers that you say hello and goodbye than if you buy something!

These jokes about the French rudeness are tired and in reality, false.

French rudeness, yes. Parisian rudeness, simply outdated, although there are a few hold-outs. I have certainly experienced the 'classic' Parisian waiter stereotype who doesn't show any patience for people who are slow to place their order. It almost seemed a performance rather than a real intent to be rude. Note that this applies only to restaurants not to other retail establishments, and even so, is more the exception now, than the rule.

French rudeness, yes. Parisian rudeness, simply outdated, although there are a few hold-outs. I have certainly experienced the 'classic' Parisian waiter stereotype who doesn't show any patience for people who are slow to place their order. It almost seemed a performance rather than a real intent to be rude. Note that this applies only to restaurants not to other retail establishments, and even so, is more the exception now, than the rule.

As a French refugee in London, I strongly disagree with this: During my trips in France I have encountered the most displeasant waiters in Paris and the south of France(more precisely around Marseille), whereas in more "rural" areas the service is often, if not always, better. It almost seems like being rude is an "art de vivre" for the waiters in Paris!

+1 ^

As a visitor anywhere, or in any circumstance, it costs nothing to be polite and smile, and you'd be surprised how well repaid this initial investment can be!

Fully agree :)

As a French refugee in London, I strongly disagree with this: During my trips in France I have encountered the most displeasant waiters in Paris and the south of France(more precisely around Marseille), whereas in more "rural" areas the service is often, if not always, better. It almost seems like being rude is an "art de vivre" for the waiters in Paris!

My bad phrasing. I was responding "Yes" that the overall stereotype of French rudeness is false, but that in Paris, there are some waiters who as you so aptly put it, find being rude an "art de vivre". So in fact, we are almost completely in agreement (although I have not been to Marseille).

I also agree with Alsacienne's comment that politeness and a smile will work wonders, but found that in Paris it also took efficiency and confidence in ordering as well as being very prompt to respond when the waiter checked on my table.

can we please get back on topic - feel free to start a new thread in this forum, but this one was about Health Inspections.

thanks for your understanding

regards,

chrissxb
co-moderator
france forum

can we please get back on topic - feel free to start a new thread in this forum, but this one was about Health Inspections.

thanks for your understanding

regards,

chrissxb
co-moderator
france forum

Point taken, and it actually allows me to raise a question about something that I didn't understand. Unless the word veterinary is a translation which doesn't make sense in the American context, I can't understand why agents whose name suggests to me that they are concerned with zoonoses such as hoof and mouth would be the ones responsible for inspecting restaurants. Anyone have any idea?

The word 'veterinary' in English is an adjective which applies exclusively to the health of animals, not people.

The inspections are carried out on three levels, by three ministries together: veterinary, sanitary and consumption/fraudes. The veterinary agents check the meat and meat products.