An essential summer spot in Nantes for almost ten years, the Cantine du Voyage reopens the doors of its bar on Friday for a new season. If the appearance of the place has not really changed, regulars will nevertheless discover several new features. Because this very popular site on the banks of the Loire, at the Hangar à Bananes, changed hands this year. And the new team (the Connect group and Novas), which includes the owners of the Station cloud taverns in San Sebastián and the Sablière in Sainte-Luce, has cleaned up a bit, without making a revolution.
The biggest change will be on the plate: no more unique chicken and potato menu! When the kitchen reopens at the end of June, skewers (meat, fish or vegetables) will be offered in this huge space with 400 seats. Sometimes criticized for the slowness of the service, the new formula Canteen will take the form of a self-service where the public will come to pick up their own tray, consisting of grilled meats (accompanied by baby potatoes or vegetables), a fondant chocolate and a drink, at the single price of 14 euros (10 for children). The beer and wine list has also been revised, with an emphasis on local production.
Come with your cup
“It was the end of a cycle but we wanted to recreate something different in this atmospheric place, always with the lowest possible prices,” comments Jean Blaise, the director of Voyage à Nantes. A new gardener has been recruited to take care of the adjoining vegetable garden, where herbs, vegetables and many flowers will be grown. An environmental approach that will also be reflected in consumption practices since customers will be encouraged to bring their own cup (to benefit from a 50 cent reduction on the menu), and all food waste will be composted.
As for the atmosphere, the part reserved for pétanque courts has been redeveloped into a “multipurpose space”, where exhibitions, designer markets and DJ sets will be organized on Friday and Saturday evenings. “It was a big gamble to take possession of the premises in such a short time [l’appel d’offres a été remporté il y a un mois et demi], comments Julien Laffeach, figure of Nantes electronic culture with his Paco Tyson festival and now one of the managers. We hope to present a new scenography next year. »