Aude: It is this project to transform the Espace de Liberté that convinced the Grands Buffets to stay in Narbonne

It's official, Grandz Buffett is not moving. The famous restaurant created by Louis Privat will continue to write its history in Narbonne, within the same Liberty Square, where it opened in 1989.

However, if the brand decides to stay, this is also part of a larger project to modernize the Espace de Liberté. They recalled that Louis Privat was considering moving because he had pointed out serious flaws in the maintenance of the site since 2022. The latter was, as he put it, “Runny and unsanitary in some parts”. Since then, Grands Buffets has thought about moving to a new area, with the idea of ​​creating the first garden dedicated to French gastronomy. Then Carcassonne Aglou was chosen, “Through the commitment of its elected officials, the quality of their reception project, and the chosen location and its environment.”

Read also:
Narbonne: Facing a “lack of maintenance” at Espace de Liberté, Les Grands Buffets plans to leave the city

Read also:
Narbonne: Place de la Liberté, the site of the former “coffee shop” that became Grands Buffets

Read also:
Grands Buffets of Narbonne threatens to act: “Didier Mouly despises the 363,000 clients who come to Grands Buffets” criticizes Louis Privat

However, the large urban community of Narbonne, now headed by Bertrand Malquier, wants to address the problem of preserving the space of freedom. Better yet, she has big ambitions for Espace de Liberté. She wants to do it “Occitanie's leading leisure site, with approximately 800,000 visitors annually.”

Nearly €20 million of investments and a fiscally neutral process for public finances

Bertrand Malquier confirms that since 2020, “The elected officials of Greater Narbonne have been actively working on a major transformation project, in order to improve reception conditions for different categories of users (swimming pool, bowling, ice rink).” The urban community will implement a major transformation program through an investment of approximately 15 million euros. This project provides for the creation of new spaces designated for the expansion of Grands Buffets activities on an area of ​​approximately 2000 square meters.². “The cost of building this space (about 3 million euros) will be converted into the rent paid by Grands Buffets every year, making this process financially neutral for public finances.” The project will include updating the architectural signature of the building, improving the public reception by separating the flows of different types of users, and in particular by creating a specific route for Grands Buffets customers. Without forgetting the modernization of the various facilities (ice rink, swimming pool and bowling) and the renewal of energy in the building and equipment.

A large tea room and a large local boutique, the new horizons of Grands Buffets

To complement the project delivered by Grand Narbonne, Grands Buffets will also invest approximately €5 million to develop new spaces. From the completely redesigned reception area, two venues will see the light. It will be available to all visitors, whether they choose to enjoy the restaurant or not. There is talk of creating a “Great Ice Tea Room”, “Designed in over 600 AD² From the world of design. “Great local produce store.” “You will have 365 days a year to explore, eat on site or take away, within a setting of approximately 1,200 square metres.”² Inspired by the great fairs of yesteryear, it is one of the most prominent displays of regional and artisanal production in Occitania.

To operate these new structures, Grands Buffets will see its workforce increase from 220 to 250 employees. Knowing that the brand toToday it is the largest restaurant in France in terms of turnover. Its reputation has now reached European level, attracting more than 390,000 clients annually, who are also spread across different areas of the Côte-de-Midi.