In France, many Europeans are against having the American fast-food chain, McDonald's at their historic food market known as "the belly of Paris," NPR reports.
For 800 years, the iconic food hub has been a staple for French people when it comes to their gastronomic needs, and since McDonald's is not really a part of their cultural history, protestors want America's fast-food giant out of it.
"People living here don't want McDonald's. Small business people of the street don't want McDonald's. Nobody wants McDonald's," said head of anti-McDonald's committee, Olivia Hicks. "Once you have McDonald's, it becomes like every other street in the rest of the world. Whereas for the time being, this street stays very typical and very Parisian."
"It's the soul of gastronomy for the French," said Olivier Chavaren, head of the Coloratour, a sightseeing company that specializes in food tours. "Remember, for 800 years there was this covered market. It left so many traces in terms of food habits and food shops that you see along this street."
Their battle against McDonald's was victorious this month when city officials in Paris rejected the request for a building permit in the location.
The Paris Chamber of Commerce officials, however, questioned the city's decision saying the fast-food chain employs 72,000 French people.
Furthermore, France is McDonald's second most-profitable market next to the United States. Just last year, 45 new branches were opened in the country.
Daniel Rigattier, owner of the 40-year-old cheese shop Fromage, says he has nothing against McDonald's. "At least it's food," he says. "And a McDonald's will draw a lot of young people."
"Besides, it's not McDonald's that threatens us cheesemakers; it's people going on diets," he added.
The anti-McDonald's committee still expects the fast-food chain to appeal on the rejection, since it hasn't commented about its permit application yet.
