Zoé, at the Octopus of the Lake

My name is Zoé, I am the manager of Poulpe du Lac in Sainte-Croix Volvestre.   

It was the building and the location that attracted me: its garden, its proximity to the lake, the heart of the village... I often came to drink coffee here, and when I heard it was for sale, I thought that with all these spaces, there was a way to do something nice. I had heard about a small group of people who were interested in buying the restaurant, but they couldn't come to anything. I contacted them and was able to provide the financing that was missing.   

Initially, we set up a cooperative company with four people, and the project had three parts: a cultural space, a restaurant with an ecological and local dynamic, and a co-working space. We started with shared management, and life meant that the others took a step back from the project, so I took on the management alone, even if, in the principle of Scoop, I very often consult the others.  

It's true that it's not small here! How were the different spaces designed?   

Inside, as it's big and can quickly get "cold", we wanted to make the place welcoming and cozy, with a restaurant area and a relaxation area that transforms into a concert area on weekends. We have a room at the back that is dedicated to shows that require the attention of the public. There is also a "wine cellar" area and a reading corner. And then there is the terrace and the garden, where we find the same principle: places to relax and sit on sofas, places to eat, and others to dance and party! The garden is enclosed and large, so it's really nice for children who can go and have fun while the parents relax. Many families tell me that it's great to have this garden next door to entertain the children.  

And this wine cellar?  

That's Victor's contribution, for whom it was very important to have this dynamic of natural wines (he comes from a village of winegrowers). Today we have had to restrict the quantity, but it remains important for us. Besides, we are labeled "Raisins". We find a certain type of wines here, they are unusual... It's our little extra!   

Describe your programming to us.   

So... Here, we have good reception and remuneration conditions for artists, so our reputation has grown, and so for some time now we've been lucky to have the choice! So we can afford to be more qualitative... and then since this year I've been treating myself! At first I didn't dare, I wanted there to be a bit of everything, to please everyone. But now I choose what I personally like... especially world music, jazz, and electro-soft. And then a big night out from time to time to really party... And it's a hit!   

Your good plan in the area?   

The foothills walks which have superb views of the Pyrenees, and elsewhere for families who have toddlers and strollers (all terrain), at Croix de Fer (Holy Cross) there is a great round trip on a small, flat path with a panorama of the Pyrenees all along... without crossing any cars, it's just too beautiful!   

The final word ?   

Cooperation !   

The Octopus of the Lake  

09230 Sainte-Croix-Volvestre  

Tel: 05 61 04 01 10  

Web: facebook.com/lepoulpedulac