food
Parisian Cafés
From Flore to Procope, cafés are a Parisian institution, places of debate and rendez-vous for three centuries.
History & context
The Parisian café appeared in the 17th century and became the city's living room in the 19th: a place to read, argue and write. Terraces lined up facing the street are a direct legacy of that culture of people-watching.
From the literary cafés of Saint-Germain to neighbourhood bistros, the institution survived on one rule: you pay for a seat as much as for a drink.
Why visit
- ·Understand the daily rhythm of Parisians in a single break
- ·Terraces open all year, heated in winter
- ·Interiors often unchanged for decades: zinc bars, mirrors, banquettes
What to see
- ·Café de Flore
- ·Les Deux Magots
- ·Le Procope (oldest)
- ·Café de la Paix
Practical tips
- ·Coffee at the counter costs much less than on the terrace
- ·Service is included
Best photo spots
- ·A corner terrace in Saint-Germain or the Marais, late afternoon
- ·The zinc bar seen from inside, mirrors in the background
Good to know
- ·Prices usually differ between the bar and the terrace: that's normal and posted
- ·Once seated at a table, you order from the waiter, not at the bar
- ·Lingering a long time over one drink is accepted — it's the custom
Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.
Anu's insider tip
Order 'un café': in Paris that means an espresso. Ask for 'un allongé' if you prefer it longer.
Itineraries with this place
Nearby
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The literary heart of the Left Bank, home to Sartre, Beauvoir, Hemingway and legendary cafés.
Le Marais
A historic aristocratic quarter turned trendy heart of Paris, mixing mansions and boutiques.
Latin Quarter
The student quarter around the Sorbonne, medieval lanes, bookshops and lively bistros.