Former purchasing assistant Marion Cottin and educator Yoann Bezkorowajnyj opened Le Dé Ambulant, a new board game bar on Place du 8-Mai-1945 in Foix, drawing 300 customers during its first weekend.
The establishment, located in the capital of the Ariège department in southwestern France, officially opened on Friday, August 7, 2026. The owners were surprised when the interior space and outdoor terrace reached full capacity within 45 minutes of opening.
Bezkorowajnyj, 29, noted that the rapid influx occurred despite the timing not being ideal, as the opening coincided with the summer holiday season and the local Ingénieuse Afrique festival. Despite those competing events, 300 visitors passed through the doors between Friday and Sunday, with several patrons returning multiple times over the weekend. The venue has continued to build a loyal customer base since its launch.
Career Change and Project Development
The opening marks the completion of a career transition for both owners. Cottin, 27, previously worked as a purchasing assistant, while Bezkorowajnyj worked as a specialized educator. Both resigned from their jobs to pursue the business.
The decision brought considerable stress to the couple and their families. Cottin explained that leaving secure employment left them questioning whether the venue would succeed and whether they would be able to pay their bills, making the strong initial turnout a major relief.
The pair first conceived the idea in January 2025, but put the project on hold when they decided the timing was not right. They restarted the initiative in early 2026 after discovering their preferred commercial property. Cottin had previously frequented the location as a customer under its former business and was eager to secure the site.
Renovation work attracted steady curiosity from local passersby. The owners anticipated local demand for tabletop gaming because the Ragnar Ork venue was still operating at the time and the Les Contes du Jeu gaming association was active in the town, though the level of public interest exceeded their expectations.
Interior Design and Game Library
The owners designed the interior as an extension of their personal living space, creating a cozy atmosphere using house plants, natural wood features, and shades of green. Cottin described the environment as a cocooning space.
Because the couple stored their personal games in wooden wine crates at home, they repurposed existing wine crates left inside the commercial premises into display shelving. The shelves currently hold between 150 and 200 board games.
The founders had hoped to launch with a larger game collection, but they had to forego certain financial grants and reduce expenditure in specific areas. To expand their selection according to patron preferences, they plan to install an idea box where customers can submit game requests.
Licensing Requirements and Community Outreach
The venue currently operates under an administrative constraint regarding its beverage license. Cottin and Bezkorowajnyj sought a License III, which permits the sale of alcohol such as wine and beer up to 18 degrees alcohol by volume without requiring food orders.
Securing a License III proved difficult in Foix, prompting the owners to invest temporarily in a restaurant license. Under French liquor regulations, a restaurant license mandates that alcoholic drinks can only be served alongside a meal. Cottin expressed frustration with the rule, stating that requiring food with drinks feels like forcing consumption, which runs counter to their goals while they wait for their application to move forward with the prefecture.
Looking ahead, Bezkorowajnyj plans to draw on his professional background as a specialized educator by bringing games directly to young people in local social and medico-social care facilities. The owners hope this mobile initiative will reflect the literal meaning of the bar's name, which Cottin said was inspired by the concept of a humanized hiking die travelling to meet new people. Further information about the venue is available at ledeambulant.fr.
