Mon Dieu! First Starbucks, Now Mickey?

The trade papers are repoorting that the French are shocked, shocked to learn that Mickey D is moving into the Carrousel du Louvre, an upscale, underground mall that connects with the Musée du Louvre.

Now, when Starbucks moved into France, they had to educate the public with signs like the one on the left, explaining what these pseudo-Italian dinks were. It seems to have worked; the French (and the Brits) are now the best European Starbucks customers.

But Mickey D? Well, I've got news for you, Chain Leader. McDonald's has been in France since forever; over 1,000 stores already The guy who brought McDonald's to Europe in the first place was a Frenchman. McDonald's management in France is enlighted: they serve beer and wine!

And don't get me started on the existing Carrousel tenants.Museum gift-shops, jewelry stores, perfume, sure. Lalique, Swarovski, l'Occitane, and so on. But also a post office, a bank, a mini-mart and a food court (run by the Italian roadside chain, AutoGrill). So it's not the end of Western Civilization as we know it, mes amis. That happened long ago, 2004 in fact. Check it out.