A hospital may seem like the most unlikely place to find a wine bar but “medically supervised” tipples will soon be allowed for patients in France.
Fine wines, champagne and whisky will be among the choices at the unusual establishment being opened in September.
The bar will be in the palliative care centre at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital in Puy-de-Dôme, central France, which offers comfort for people with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Dr Virginie Guastella, the centre's manager, said she was defending "the right to have fun" and hopes the idea will catch on in other hospitals to brighten up the lives of patients and their families.
Acknowledging French people's traditionally “hedonistic” relationship with food and wine, she said there was no need to enforce a ban on the joys of life, especially when it could be reaching its end.
Staff at the hospital unit will be specially trained to manage patients' needs at the bar and hope it will offer terminally ill people a happier and more relaxed space to share their final days with family and friends.