Le Bibent taken over by La Dépêche du Midi and Esprit Pergo, what future for this Toulouse institution? (INTERVIEW)

Le Bibent taken over by La Dépêche du Midi and Esprit Pergo, what future for this Toulouse institution? (INTERVIEW)

Thomas Fantini (Esprit Pergo) and Jean-Nicolas Baylet (La Dépêche du Midi) took the bet ( crazy) to take over Le Bibent, the most famous brasserie on Place du Capitole. We spoke with the General Director of La Dépêche to find out more about this project, still under construction. Exclusive interview.

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From sale to repurchase, return to the facts

This Tuesday, January 30, 2024 after months of waiting, the Court of Commerce de Montauban has appointed the renowned restaurateur at the head of Esprit Pergo, Thomas Fantini, and the General Director of La Dépêche, Jean-Nicolas Baylet, as new owners of Bibent. Formerly managed by chef Christian Constant then by Thierry Oldak, the brewery was placed in receivership on September 11, 2023 following management concerns. The brand is now back in the hands of this Toulouse tandem at a price of 2.4 million euros.

Jean-Nicolas Baylet testifies, as if it were obvious: "< em>When we learned of this sale, we felt “obligated” to look at the file".

A brewery to be revived

So, why Jean-Nicolas Baylet, a media man and, a priori, far from the middle of catering, has he positioned himself to take over this brand so dear to the inhabitants of the Pink City? Precisely, "because it is a Toulouse institution and that we were born in the same decade (Editor's note: Le Bibent in 1861 and the local media in 1870 ). We have been close to this institution for a long time with whom we have strong ties; Jean Jaurès (Editor's note: who was a journalist for La Dépêche) came here in particular to write his articles; " revealed to us the son of Jean-Michel Baylet, proud of this return to his sources.

And there is a second reason for this project as mysterious as it is ambitious. The press group pursues a policy of diversification, "so in this context, we are looking for synergy and it was quite clear because Le Bibent is located on the Place du Capitole, in the heart of the sensitive area covered by La Dépeche".

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A duo in long-term reflection

This duo didn't come together by chance. As Jean-Nicolas Baylet told us, “with Thomas Fantini, we had ideas for a long time for projectsin reception and catering (including one in rugby, postponed)". The years have passed, but the two business leaders have remained in contact with the aim of one day bringing a major project to fruition. And it's done with the takeover of this famous café-restaurant.

The DNA of Bibent preserved

Difficult to 'evoking the project in its smallest details since "at this stage of history, we are only at the very first sketches". What matters to Jean-Nicolas Baylet and his partner, is "really the recovery of Bibent…". Before launching into decoration, the urgency is to regain control! But one thing is certain: "we do not want to distort or disfigure the Bibent, we wish to preserve the heritage", especially sincean interior part has been listed as a historic monument since 1975 .

Thomas Fantini and Jean-Nicolas Baylet are therefore keen to bring the place up to date, while preserving its Belle Époque decor and this high-end brasserie conceptappeared in 1986.

The interior decor listed among the historic monuments since 1975
The interior decor listed among historical monuments since 1975 © Didier Descouens / Wikipedia

< h2 class="title">A project still under construction

All questions concerning the future identity of Bibent thus remain open, "but I can tell you that in addition, we plan to organize events open to the public in order to generate more flow at a time when there are fewer (outside meal times for example)", assures us the new owner, moved to have put get your hands on this gem which was the first café in Toulouse to offer draft beer(in 1861!).

In the kitchen, same story, "< em>everything is open, we will take stock with all the teams... ", for the moment, "we are not prohibiting anything" in the reflection around the future leader to cook. Everything remains to be defined!

This carefully considered project therefore has a sentimental, friendly and 100% local characterfor these two men from opposite worlds, but who intend to “take the best of synergies by drawing on all [their] strengths”. The official start date? Monday February 5, 2024, date of entry into possession set by the Montauban Commercial Court "and therefore access for [them], to the business assets". A beautiful adventure that begins!

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Practical Information
Location: Le Bibent
Address: 5 Pl. du Capitole, 31000 Toulouse
Contact: 06 48 71 73 65
Email / Website: https://www.bibent.fr/ div>
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