La Guinguette de Bellevue in Fronton opens its doors from Friday April 17. An early opening for the two Grisolese partners, Frédéric Gyre and Laurent Martin. In a period when purchasing power is declining, the tavern is full for its first evening. A success that comes with constant questioning.
“Duck breast, beef, all the raw materials… Everything has increased,” laments Frédéric Gyre. Like traditional restaurateurs, the owner of the Bellevue tavern, located in Fronton (Haute-Garonne), is facing inflation.
Even if, “the advantage of being seasonal is that our prices do not vary throughout the opening period, since the menus are established at the start of the season”, notes the professional.
To counter this first phenomenon, Frédéric and his partners, Laurent and Carole Martin, rely on a diversity of suppliers to try to get the best value for money. The strategy seems to be working. “Compared to last year, the prices of our dishes are the same, except perhaps for the duck breast.”
A concept launched in 2022
Inflation also obviously affects their customers. However, the restaurateur does not seem so worried about a drop in attendance. “Customers are now more careful during the week, so they can treat themselves on the weekend.” This is where the bosses, from Grisolles, in Tarn-et-Garonne, hope to do well.
In order not to rest on their laurels and always offer new products, the three partners must reinvent their traditional tavern system, which they opened in 2022, to be able to continue to function well. The first year, the bowling alley was already installed. The following year, the children’s play area was inaugurated. Enough to build family loyalty.
Since the summer of 2025, a real DJ has set up his decks to ignite the evenings. The goal: to attract groups of friends who want to enjoy the privileged setting.
A covered part to no longer depend on the weather
The addition of a covered part, a project that has been brewing since the start of the adventure and a mixed first summer, now opens up new horizons for them. Until 2024, the establishment could count on a beautiful terrace with a view of the vineyard of the eponymous castle. At sunset in summer, the lights installed between the trees give a very popular cozy atmosphere. But the possibilities were more limited in the event of bad weather, as was the case during the first operating season.
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“The goal is to no longer depend on the good season. There are no more constraints, no last-minute cancellations and therefore no losses to bear,” explains Laurent Martin. A modification of the concept which serves as a basis for the diversification of the events hosted.
“We are now banking on privatization (baptisms, weddings, birthdays) to remain open for a greater part of the year. These are events which allow the opening of the tavern area all year round. We have a significant advantage over our competitors”, hopes the business manager, who is sold out for his first evening, Friday April 17.
A place to live now all year round
These strategies are expanding from year to year. The partners rely on external events to attract the spotlight. “We partnered with the town of Fronton to organize the start of the Foulée la Négrette,” explains Frédéric Gyre. This trail takes place on April 19 with the starting line drawn on the tavern site. “450 runners are at the start. These are 450 opportunities to attract new customers.” Other events, such as garage sales, are also organized.
Claimed objective: to raise awareness of the place, which can accommodate up to 200 people at full capacity, other than through word of mouth or social networks. A higher cost at the start but a decision that seems to be winning in transforming what was still just a seasonal location into a real place to live.
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