For several months, the restaurant Le Panoramique, located at the top of Mont Faron, has been at the heart of the news. Between administrative closure, tensions with its lessor and legal proceedings, the establishment is going through a rather turbulent period. Last August, it was subject to administrative closure for hygiene reasons.
And for several years, legal proceedings have pitted the manager, Fabienne Stenta, and her son Romain Baudino, the establishment’s cook, against their lessor, the Mont Faron Tourist Operations, Development and Facilities Authority (Redif).
At the heart of the dispute: the non-renewal of the commercial lease, which Redif wanted to recover. “ We have been tenants since 2007 and everything was going well until 2017 », Explains Romain Baudino, who speaks on behalf of his mother, today weakened by health problems. According to the family, the situation deteriorated at that time. without reason ».
Accusations of pressure and harassment
Those responsible for the Panoramique denounce “ a climate of pressure “aiming, according to them, to force them” to leave the premises. We have the feeling that Redif and the cable car management are trying to make us leave by all means. “, they assure. They mention in particular “ a recent decree requiring the closure of the establishment during red alerts for fire risk, a hygiene control deemed abusive “, as well as denunciations that they consider “ false ».
« Everything seems to be done to prevent us from working properly and generating turnover. », deplores Romain Baudino who also regrets a total lack of dialogue with Redif and the management of the cable car.
In the lawsuit between it and its lessor, Panoramique won. The court ultimately rejected the request for non-renewal of the lease. The establishment’s lawyer, Mr.e Michel Lebi, welcomes the outcome: “ Justice was rendered at the end of a long procedure, during which we demonstrated that the restaurant was in no way responsible for the disorders observed around the Panoramique. This action seemed to have the sole objective of recovering the premises at a lower cost, and above all without compensation granted to my client, who has always been up to date with the payment of rent, despite personal difficulties. It was therefore logical that the lease was renewed », concludes the lawyer.
Redif refutes any pressure
For its part, Redif categorically refutes the accusations made by the managers and intends to set the record straight. “ If the relationship with the management had gone correctly, we would never have considered taking over the lease “, immediately declares Magali Turbatte, deputy mayor and president of the public establishment. She specifies that “ the legal proceedings were initiated following repeated breaches observed over several years: environmental damage, poor management, non-compliance with safety rules, as well as prohibited parking, with supporting evidence. Restaurateurs have been called to order numerous times by mail », she underlines, supporting documents and parking reports. “ Communication has unfortunately been broken for almost five years, regardless of our will. Exchanges are now carried out through legal channels. »
The president also refutes any notion of pressure or harassment: “ This is inappropriate. We are only doing our duty. What we want is a restaurant that works, is welcoming, where you eat well and which makes Toulon and Mont Faron shine. They have a jewel in their hands, and they don’t take care of it. Just look at the Google reviews online, or see the letters and emails of complaints received at the town hall…”.
“Let the site regain its splendor”
Redif reminds that the restaurant is currently closed for hygiene reasons. “ State services have noted shortcomings putting customers in danger. The responsibility certainly does not lie with Redif. A questioning from the managers would be welcome. We hope that the site regains its splendor and allows visitors to eat in good conditions on the Faron ».
Finally, on the legal side, Magali Turbatte specifies: “ We did not lose the case and we will not appeal. On the other hand, we will ask the judge to rule on the amount of compensation, which we hope is reasonable and acceptable to the Panoramique team. » Ultimately, the operating management hopes to establish a new strategy at the summit of Faron.
Le Drap d’or, another restaurant at the top, is in liquidation. The lessor should “ probably recover the keys later this year, all appeals having been exhausted ».
Still, at present, no catering offerings are offered at Faron. For how much longer?
1. Mont Faron is managed by the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis with the National Forestry Office (ONF), the municipality and Redif, which is a public establishment. Their objective is to protect its biodiversity and develop its tourist activities.
