NathaliePacifist and optimistic by nature

Nathalie Jeandidier

Bar La Rafale in Granville

Nathalie is a key figure in Granville’s Haute Ville! After working as a barmaid at La Rafale, in 2023 she became co-managing partner with Hugo Bailleul of this legendary bar, the oldest in Granville. Today, it’s the only bar in the Haute Ville.

To meet

Nathalie

Originally from Marseille, Nathalie moved to Granville in 2017 with her family because her husband is from Granville. Originally from the Haute Ville, he felt the need to return to his roots. In Nathalie’s café, everyone has their place. Theatmosphere is family-oriented and unifying.

Everyone feels at home here,” says Nathalie, “it’s a natural mix of tourists, locals and fishermen. “In my job, human relations are at the heart and that’s what I’m most passionate about. “

Nathalie is on first-name terms with all her customers. It’s a real marker of closeness andaffection for her. Her clientele is quite eclectic. On Sunday mornings, she has her regulars, the retired. The average age of her customers is in their thirties. Customer loyalty is a long-term process.

“It’s important to always be in the same mood and to have a smile on your face,” confides Nathalie.

Concerts & exhibitions

Local beers and sustainable decoration

In her bar, Nathalie organizes concerts – 5 a year – and exhibitions that rotate every two months. She favors local artists and takes no commission on the sale of her works. Nathalie advises customers to try her beers, as she has a fine range of beers, some of which are exclusive to Granville. In summer, customers can sample new beers every 15 days. In addition, in the basement, she has a beer cellar offering only organic and local beers.

I love to add decoration to my bar, I love to hunt for bargains, and sometimes neighbors bring me decorations, plants and lights. I don’t go to flea markets, though, because I’d be too tempted to push the walls of the bar. I like things that have a soul, and I also like to repair and give things a second life.

Nathalie

A parenthesis

in people's lives

At La Rafale, Nathalie is proud to say that there’s no network and that children and adults alike can read, play board games or simply chat and reconnect with each other. Summer is his favorite season, with the large terrace.

“It’s an interlude in people’s lives,” she confides.

Nathalie’s most memorable anecdote dates back to 2021. After the right to reopen the terraces, a table had been stolen, and Nathalie had posted a kind message explaining that she needed to work. The table was returned with an apology. When she’s not in her café, Nathalie spends her time reading, either on the sand of the Grève du Nord beach or in a Granvillian café. She has just completed the trilogy “Zen murders, murders that feel good and murders to regain your composure” and recommends them to you.

Portrait co-written by Manu Campos – Ambassador for Destination Granville Terre et Mer – and Estelle Cohier, Communications Officer.