Traditional French bistros, once a staple of the culinary and social landscape in France, are rapidly disappearing, with numbers dwindling from 400,000 in 1945 to just 40,000 by 2021, according to French newspaper Libération. The unique atmosphere of these bistros, where customers gather around sidewalk tables to enjoy meals while watching street life, is at risk, raising concerns that this cherished cultural tradition may be lost.

In response to this alarming trend, French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his support for initiatives aimed at having traditional bistros recognized as part of UNESCO's cultural heritage. This move, akin to the earlier designation of the French baguette, seeks not only to preserve the bistros but also to celebrate their significance in the history and culture of France. The push for UNESCO recognition underscores the importance of these establishments as living symbols of French culinary artistry and social interaction.

The decline of bistros reflects broader societal changes in France, including shifts in dining habits and economic pressures that have made it increasingly challenging for such establishments to survive. As advocates rally for the preservation of bistros, their fate remains a poignant reminder of the need to safeguard cultural histories against the tides of modernization and change.