paying for fuel

Stopped overnight in Dole on the way to Morillon. Tried to get some diesel at the intermarche self service, couldn't as all cards declined, seemed to work fine for the french though. Tried another self service place and got all cards declined again. Finally found an attended forecourt and card worked ok. Anyone know what's going on? I have used the intermarche pumps before and never had a problem. My cards worked at the garage on the toll road and we're also fine in the restaurant last night. Seems to be just the unattended pumps with the built in card machine that won't work but why not?