Just back from my first trip to Italy. Many shops had signs on their doors proclaiming, "Free Entry." This made me wonder, what sort of shop does one pay to enter?

Did you ask what that meant? I haven't been to Italy in a year so it must be new.

I guess it is the same in Italy as in France, where many shopkeepers dislike people who are "just browsing". I have been told to leave smaller French shops.

This is one of my favorite European signs. Another is "Snack Nonstop," which I saw in Nice.

Absurd, you were asked to leave smaller french shops? What exactly did they say to you?

It is indeed as Absurd says, that you're free to browse around and that you will only be helped when you ask for it.

Many years ago this was common. Now not seen as much.

Wondered then. Wonder now.

The third meaning of the word "entrée" is Acces à un spectacle, exposition, etc; somme a payer pour entrer;
therefore, entrée libre means: non-paying access, as opposed to entrée payante, paying access

In the past, you could go in some stores but you had an obligation to buy something. Of course this is not applied any more...except in coffee shops (cafes, bistros) restaurants, where people are not supposed to go in, use the bathroom, and go out without buying a drink or food.

I had a friend who moved to Paris rather unexpectedly and without much experience there. She didn't go into any stores that didn't say entrée libre for almost the entire first year she lived there.

I think that "Entrée Libre" is in contrast to shops (in America, but perhaps anywhere in the world) that say "By Appointment Only".

And "nonstop" doesn't mean that you go in there and eat continuously... it means that they remain open from the time they open in the morning unti they close in the evening - - in contrast to places that close in the afternoon (the "siesta hours", observed in half of southern/Mediterranean Europe).

Best wishes,

Rex

This is one of those translations that makes no sense. Entrata libera is literally translated to free entry but it really just means "open to the public" as some shops were wholesale only type places. Pay it no never mind.

Rex: I new what "nonstop" meant, it just struck me as funny the first time I saw it.

It does mean "browsers welcome", Rex, not just that you can enter without an appt.

As St Cirq, says, you will see that sign sometimes where it does mean free entry (no payment) -- in museums, as I recall.