Crowd in Angers downtown on sunday, a lively, but scarce, sight

The end of sunday afternoon in downtown of Angers on december 12th city illustrated, once again, that the city is much more lively when stores are opened. Even if those were almost all closed, the Alsace and Lenepveu streets, and of course the Ralliement plaza, were overcrowded. People were lining up to buy a glass of hot wine (mixed with cinnamon delicately sweetening the atmosphere and attracting new customers) or pastries bananas-shaped cooked in giant chip pans. And the few stores opened didn't seem to wait for shoppers.

Clearly, Angers inhabitants enjoy the ambiance of Christmas or New Year and would may be ready to spend money on others events. That kind of festivities would deserve a general understanding between stores owners who, may be, could get from town hall the necessary authorization to open up to five sundays per year as regulation allows it. Almost if they are food stores because, clearly, food in France remains closely linked with merry-making.

 While the open air terrazas of the cafes are clearly enjoyed by customers all year long, nothing was planned on Ralliement plaza to allow inhabitants drink their wine otherwise than walking... While all the Christmas huts were concentrated on a side of the plaza, a big tent would have been welcome on the other side. That would add money ... and fun.