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It's the end of an era. "Now we know it's over," Rodolphe Semeria told The Avondhu this week about he and his wife Noelle's decision not to reopen the landmark French restaurant La Bigoudenne that they've operated for 21 years.
The couple had encountered difficulties in the past year in operating their renowned restaurant on McCurtain Street and closed it some months ago. "The building was not suitable for the business," Rodolphe explained, saying "retreat is not defeat." He spoke of how sad he and Noelle were to come to an end of serving the people of Fermoy and surrounding areas.
Having been the venue for a huge number of family celebrations over the years, Rodolphe says he and Noelle have a large number of souvenirs, cards, pictures and art works from the children who visited, sent as a thank you.
"We have spent nearly a quarter of our lives here," Rodolphe reminisced this week. "To the children who visited: Ella, Ciara, Gabriel, Richard, Emma, James, Jimmy, Lauren, Maria, Zoe and so many others we say 'merci' and 'au revoir."
With the doors now closed on the premises for good, an auction of their catering equipment is being held on Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th in the old Berney Saddlery premises at 27 McCurtain Street. The auction will start on Saturday at 11 am and Rodolphe will be at the premises again on Sunday from 1-6 pm. The auction will include a number of antiques, some vintage wine and some household items as well as catering equipment. Pre-auction viewing will take place on Thursday, October 3rd and Friday, 4th from 2-7 pm. Vouchers purchased for the restaurant will be redeemed from Thursday to Saturday, 10th-12th October from 2-6 pm. Vouchers from 2011 and 2012 can be redeemed.
Rodolphe and Noelle came from Nice in 1989 settling first in Rathcormac. They've lived in Conna for the past ten years. They've been regular visitors back to France. Both of Rodolphe's parents lived into their 100s but passed away in recent years. Noelle's parents, who are in their 80s, still live in Brittany.
So what to do next? They have longevity in the genes on both sides, I point out to Rodolphe, so there's plenty of time for new projects. They are thinking about what to do next, he says, and haven't ruled out another restaurant venture.
"We've had some very good customers. To them we say 'merci', Rodolphe concluded.
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