On April 24, 2026, the new mayor of Elne, Steve Fortel, classified as far right, signed an order setting at 11 p.m. the closure of the terraces of bars, cafes or restaurants installed on the public domain of his municipality. The chief magistrate says he wants to fight against “nuisances” (noise…). The opposition and certain traders denounce the impact of the measure on economic activity.
“In order to reconcile the conviviality of the city center and the tranquility of local residents, the municipality has issued an order fixing the closure of the terraces of bars, cafés and restaurants at 11 p.m. throughout the municipal territory.” The post published on the Facebook page of the town of Elne on May 5 ignited the powder. Many Illiberian traders seem to be up in arms against the decision of the new mayor, Steve Fortel, which concerns more precisely the terraces located on public property.
“I think this decree is a little abused, indicates for example Sébastien Sanchez, the manager of La Guingueta del Salitar, a restaurant without a room which only serves on the terrace. The mayor has not properly assessed the impact that this can have for a restaurateur. In the evening, when they arrive, people ask me if it’s true that we have to close at 11 p.m. They want to have time to eat in peace. I lost business because of that.” The trader also confides that the gendarmes have already come to check whether the Guingueta, located in the courtyard of the old college, was implementing the order.
Ludovic Lamotte, from the bar Le Rallye, located in the city center, is also critical. “Personally, I am advantaged: in addition to the front terrace which overlooks the street, I have another one behind, private and without neighbors, he explains.But those who have small rooms are disappointed. Especially since there was no consultation. The deputy mayor who brought me the order told me that, even for the Music Festival, at 11 p.m., the singer I bring in front of the bar must have folded…
Make the noise stop
Another cafe owner interviewed this Wednesday, however, declared himself in favor of the measure. “I think that some have abused it. It doesn’t bother us. Even before the decree appeared, when we hosted parties, we closed the terrace at 11 p.m. and continued inside.”
“Tout ça a été monté en épingle, judge for his part Steve Fortel. The restaurants themselves can remain open after 11 p.m. and private terraces are not affected. We took this order because we had problems with some establishments whose terraces located in the public domain caused a lot of nuisance. My goal is that these establishments respect the residents who live next to them and that the noise stops from 11 p.m. I would like to point out that if the terraces are open a little later and there is no noise, we will not say anything.”
Furthermore, according to the councilor: “This decree only reinforces the commercial leases that the problem establishments signed with the former municipality. These stipulate that they must close their terraces at 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m..”
Now an opposition municipal councilor, the former mayor, Nicolas Garcia, evokes a“obsession sécuritaire”. “It is certain that this decree will please certain neighbors, concedes the one who also remains departmental advisor of the canton. But if we enforce it, it will help ensure that Elne is a ghost town. Even bistros that have a little space inside risk suffering the consequences. If they have to keep their doors closed so as not to make noise, no one will come there this summer. People are looking to stay cool. They will go to other communities.”
