Are you a restaurant owner or bar operator in the Saint-Marcellin Vercors Isère area? Regulations govern your business to guarantee the safety of your customers, the quality of your offerings, and compliance with your obligations. This page provides you with the essential rules you need to know to be compliant and operate with peace of mind.
Your 6 main obligations
🍷 Licenses and permits: the foundation of your business
If your establishment sells alcoholic beverages, you must obtain a license appropriate to your business. This step is essential before opening or taking over any establishment.
To serve with meals
Mandatory for serving alcoholic beverages only during meals , as an accompaniment to food.
- Small restaurant license : alcohol up to 18%
- Restaurant license all types of alcohol
To serve at any time
Mandatory for bars, cafes, and brasseries serving alcohol outside of mealtimes.
- License 3 : wines, beers, ciders (up to 18°)
- License 4 all types of alcohol
📝 Prior declaration required
Any opening, change of ownership, translation or transfer of a license must be declared to the town hall at least 15 days in advance (1 month in the case of a change of ownership or transfer).
📄 Procedure via CERFA form n°11542.
⚠️ Penalties: opening without a license = €3,750 fine + possible administrative closure.
📚 Mandatory training: operating license and HACCP
Before opening, you must provide proof of two mandatory training courses depending on your activity: one for the sale of alcohol, one for food safety.
For the sale of alcohol
This training allows you to:
- Know the regulations related to alcohol
- Preventing risks (minors, drunkenness…)
- Mastering your responsibilities
️ Duration: 20 hours (initial training)
✅ Validity: 10 years
💡 Without this permit, operating a business that sells alcohol is not permitted.
Food hygiene
Food hygiene training (HACCP) is mandatory in most food establishments.
- At least 1 trained person by establishment
- HACCP method (risk analysis)
- Traceability, cold chain
⏱️ Duration: Minimum 14 hours
💡 Mandatory whenever there is handling of food products.
🍴 Food labeling: strict rules
The display of dishes and their ingredients must comply with several specific rules to properly inform your customers.
Menu and daily specials
Display outside from 11:30 am (lunch) and 18 pm (dinner). Mention of "drink included" or not.
Origin of meat
MANDATORY for beef, pork, mutton, poultry. Labeling: "Origin: (country)" or "Born and raised / Slaughtered".
Allergens
Mandatory information on the menu or in a notebook made available to customers.
"Homemade" logo
Must indicate dishes made by hand, under specific conditions (decree).
⚠️ Penalties: failure to display = €1,500 fine (individual) or €7,500 (legal entity).
💡 Good to know: these rules apply to all types of food service — dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and institutional catering. And to all types of communication: remote or in person.
🍷 Drinks display: wine list and service
If you serve alcoholic beverages, several rules govern their presentation and service.
📜 The wine list must include:
- Serving size bottle, pitcher, or by the glass
- Quantity in centiliters (also for wine by the glass)
- Origin of the wine country of origin, PDO, PGI, or European origin
- Price includes VAT and service
💡 Optional information: vintage, alcohol content, brand, grape variety, medals…
Glass service
The drink must be poured in the presence of the consumer , who must see the original bottle.
Bottle / can
Must be left closed in front of the customer , and opened in their presence.
Displaying the license
A sign indicating the type of license must be displayed in the establishment.
💰 Price display: what should be visible
Your customers should be able to view your prices before entering your establishment and throughout their consumption.
Visible from the street
Display of prices for the most frequently served drinks , and at least:
- Cup of black coffee
- Half a pint of draft beer
- Bottle of beer, fruit juice, soda
- Still or sparkling mineral water
- Anise-flavored aperitif
- Dish of the day, sandwich
💡 Letters at least 1,5 cm high.
On the tables and at the bar
You must display:
- Complete list of drinks and prices
- Prices for dishes and all drinks on the map (menu)
- Mention "Price includes service"
- Mention of thefree drinking water available
⚠️ Important: Do not display price advertisements on items that are unavailable for sale . For happy hour promotions , the advertising must be the same for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
💧 Free drinking water: a requirement since 2021
You must provide free drinking water
Since the 2021 anti-waste law came into effect , all establishments serving drinks must display the possibility for customers to request free drinking water.
📋 Your specific obligations
🥤 Display of non-alcoholic drinks: minimum 10 bottles
If your establishment sells alcohol, you must have a separate display of non-alcoholic drinks , visible to customers inside.
📋 At least 10 bottles, with one example from each category:
💡 Objective: to allow each customer (especially drivers) to have a clear alternative to alcoholic beverages.
🚸 Protection of minors: strict prohibitions
The rules to follow
The sale and free distribution of alcohol is prohibited to those under 18. You must request proof of identity.
Unaccompanied by an adult, it is forbidden to enter bars/drinking establishments.
Regulatory A4 poster (Marianne, white background) on the repression of public drunkenness and the protection of minors.
Forbidden except for family members (up to first cousins).
⚠️ Penalties: selling alcohol to a minor = €7,500 fine + ban on operating your license for 1 year.
🚭 No smoking: mandatory signage
Mandatory poster
You must display a sign indicating that smoking is prohibited in your establishment.
💡 Official model downloadable from the Ministry of Health website.
Sanctions
For the customer: fixed penalty of 68 €.
For the operator: possible fine of up to 750 € in case of display defect or tolerance.
🔐 Hygiene and safety: the essential rules
You must comply with strict rules regarding food hygiene and fire safety.
🥗 Hygiene rules
🧯 Fire safety rules
Your establishment is a public access building (ERP) . Regulations impose several obligations:
- Evacuation of people (emergency exits, signage)
- Safety lighting
- Guarantee cooking and heating appliances
- Alarm and fire extinguishers comply
💡 Check with your town hall or prefecture for the specific obligations depending on the category of your ERP.
👮 Inspections: the DDPP (Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations) carries out regular inspections: use-by dates, refrigerator temperatures, hygiene of premises, promotional claims…
♿ Accessibility: all customers welcome
As a public establishment, your restaurant or bar must comply with accessibility standards for people with disabilities.
Access to the establishment
Accessible entrance for people with reduced mobility (ramps, door width…).
Adapted toilets
At least one toilet accessible to wheelchair users.
Circulation space
Aisles and passages sufficiently wide in the hall.
Accessibility Register
Mandatory document made available to customers.
💡 Good to know: if compliance is technically impossible, you can request an exemption from the prefecture. The Tourism & Disability label can recognize your accessibility efforts.
🎵 Music broadcast: authorized by SACEM
If you play music in your establishment (radio, playlist, concerts…), you must obtain authorization from SACEM and pay the copyright fees.
Mandatory copyright
Any public performance of music requires a declaration to SACEM (Society of Authors).
→ Submit a SACEM requestRespect for the neighborhood
You must comply with decibel limits depending on the duration of broadcasting. Beyond these limits, a noise impact study is required (acoustic consulting firm).
🌳 Terrace: occupation of public space
If you wish to occupy public space (sidewalk, square, etc.) to install your terrace, you must obtain a Temporary Occupation Authorization (AOT).
Parking permit
For a traditional terrace, a mobile terrace or a food truck. Apply at the town hall.
Road permit
For an enclosed terrace, anchored to the ground. Apply at the town hall or prefecture.
🚫 Important: Outdoor heaters and air conditioners are prohibited on open terraces (climate law). They are only permitted on enclosed terraces with walls and airtight seals.
For further information: official resources
⚠️ Warning: The information provided on this page is for guidance purposes only, based on official sources Service-Public.gouv.fr (verified on February 18, 2025). For your personal situation, contact your local town hall , the DDPP (Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations), or a chartered accountant.