Everyone’s Cup of Tea: Opening an English Tearoom in France

“The idea of opening a vintage English tearoom in France was inspired by our love of all things traditional – beautiful china, homemade cakes and luxurious clotted cream,” explains Tina. “The plumbing system and electrical wiring were installed shortly afterwards, enabling the tearoom to be supported by a small kitchen and work space. Finally, the addition of a charming outside seating area enabled customers to take their tea outdoors and relax in the warmer weather. Decked in vintage decoration and brimming with classic china, Tea in the Teapot was ready to open its doors to the public in August 2015.”

Tina says proudly: “People from all over the world support us online, have followed our journey and enjoy what we are doing.”

The delicious cakes are all homemade

AN IDEAL LOCATION

Nestled in the middle of the hills of Magnoac, picturesque Castelnau-Magnoac is ideally positioned at the junction of two major roads, Toulouse-Tarbes and Auch-Lannemezan, making it easily accessible. Benefiting from views of Lac du Magnoac to the west and the Pyrenees to the south, the village is steadily developing into a flourishing water sports centre and an attractive site for tourists.

The addition of a charming outdoor seating area means people can enjoy their tea outside in warm weather.

But with a population of less than 800, Tina had her work cut out to attract a regular clientele. Nevertheless, she quickly discovered that the Mairie was on her side.

“It has been difficult at times, but we’ve been very lucky to have had such great support from the locals and visitors to the area,” she adds. “They love the Englishness of the traditional afternoon tea and our collection of vintage china. They love the Rodda’s Clotted Cream as well.” All the cakes and light lunches are made on site, using fresh, local produce, with the exception of Rodda’s Clotted Cream, which is imported from the UK. Such is the demand for homemade goodies that Tina’s scones, Victoria sponge cake and chocolate brownies have often been known to sell out. Tea in the Teapot also distributes clotted cream across the whole of the southwest of France.

Interestingly, the tearoom’s customer base is composed of a mix of local French people, lots of English expats and a large proportion of tourists who are staying in the area or simply passing through. It has also won the support of people in Toulouse, which is just over an hour’s drive away. So whether you’re a homesick Brit, an international traveller or a curious French person, you’re bound to find your slice of heaven there.

Vintage decoration give the tearoom a charming, homely feel.

FRENCH LESSONS

As for the language, Tina admits she still has a way to go and her hectic schedule means that unfortunately she is not always able to put the time in.

“I am still learning the language,” she confides. “We hold French lessons in the Teapot on Wednesdays, but I am always too busy to attend. I’ll get there one day!”

Yet life hasn’t always been a breeze. The trickiest hurdles along the way have been to try and get support from people in Castelnau-Magnoac and to continually bring new people to the tearoom.

“It’s very rural and we are not even in the centre of the village,” Tina explains. “So we have to work extra hard to attract people to the area.”

She has taken a direct approach to this challenge, using a combination of the website, social media and several newspapers to promote the business.

Tina has also employed alternative ways to bring new visitors to the tearoom, making the most of special occasions such as the British Mother’s Day in March, as well as the French Mother’s Day in May.

Community events at the coffee shop are usually popular and well attended; and help to reinforce Tea in the Teapot’s hospitable reputation.

It continues to prove itself as a dynamic hub of creativity, hosting regular knitting groups. In 2016, the café launched a Tea Cosy Challenge to raise funds for Association Dominique in Toulouse and Great Ormond Street Hospital
in London. The response was phenomenal, according to Tina, with hundreds of knitted squares sent from around the world.

With such a full agenda, she employs a couple of local girls to hold the fort when she is back in the UK. This gives her peace of mind and ensures minimal disruption to the running of the tearoom.

So what is the key to setting up a successful business in rural France? As far as Tina is concerned, it can be summed up in two words: la Mairie. It appears that its vital role cannot be stressed enough. The mayor and his secretary provided invaluable aid, ensuring the laborious paperwork was correct and completed on time. The pair also went out of their way to spread the word about the fledgling business.

Tina (far right) employs a couple of local girls to help out.

ENLISTING THE LOCALS’ HELP

Indeed, getting the mayor on board when you’re embarking on any new project from day one will make for a much smoother and rewarding experience, as does interacting with local residents and understanding their needs. “Ask people what they would like to see and what they think you could be doing differently or how to make improvements,” Tina advises. “Ask lots of questions and find out as much as you can in your area and what the requirements are.” Patience is the watchword, she insists.

“It’s important to persevere as things can take a long while to sort out in France.”

Pretty china cups and flowers adorn the tables.

She anticipates that this summer will be the busiest season so far at the tearoom. “We have already doubled what we were doing last spring, so it looks as though it is going to be a very busy year!”

And what better way to spend a summer’s afternoon than in the peaceful, sunny grounds of Tea in the Teapot.

 Find out more about Tea in the Teapot and the local area here.