Apart from the French-style residences, one can still buy tasty French bread and frequent such establishments as La Fantaisie Tailor and hairdressing salons with French names.
"The boss will definitely fire most of us if the 300 percent increase was decided," said Elie Abu Issa, who works at a hairdressing salon in Christian east Beirut.
They go from neighborhood to neighborhood offering three-month, three-hour-a-day courses in trades like typing, hairdressing and electrical repairs.
The ministry warned that it will inspect hairdressing salons to make sure the order is observed.
The hairdressing was no kind of job, but this is stimulating and challenging.'