The Thrill of Old Paris: 10 Historic Cafes and Their Fascinating Stories
Welcome to our whimsical wanderlust-fueled deep dive into the Parisian café culture! After all, who does coffee better than Paris, the city of light, love, and most importantly, lattes?
Prepare to embark on a caffeine-fueled journey that is about to unfold across the ages, as we recount the tales of ten historic cafes in Paris. And no, we won’t ‘espresso’ our feelings of love for the puns in the previous sentence - we’ll save that for the cafes!
1. Café de Flore
Let’s start with the fathers of existentialism - Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, who found solace in this café. Maybe over a cup of espresso, ideas like 'existence precedes essence' were born?
2. Les Deux Magots
Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, and James Joyce were just a handful of the patrons this café had in the 1920s. Now, can you picture sitting on the same chair Picasso might have sat on? Talk about 'drinking in' some inspiration!
3. Le Procope
Established in 1686 and still running, Le Procope is considered one of the oldest cafes in Paris. Voltaire once had 40 cups of coffee here per day. Now that's one buzzed up philosopher!
4. La Closerie des Lilas
Imagine writing the outline for 'The Great Gatsby' in a café. F. Scott Fitzgerald did! You may not begin a literature classic here, but you'll certainly enjoy the distinct ambiance!
5. Café de la Rotonde
A meeting place for 'The Lost Generation,' modigliani and Fitzgerald are associated with this café. Imagine all the banter and bickering that has graced these tables!
6. Le Select
Rumored to be the inspiration for the café in 'A Moveable Feast,' Hemingway often visited for a late-night cap. A visit may not turn you into a Nobel laureate, but it will certainly transport you to a different era!
7. Café de la Paix
Known for its opulent decor, from 1862, many famous artists and writers, including Oscar Wilde, have frequented this café.
8. Café des Phares
Associated with philosophy debates every Sunday, maybe make a visit here - who knows, you might just debate your way into something big!
9. Le Chat Noir
Known for shadow theater and the bohemian culture, it's also the theme of the iconic Théophile Steinlen poster.
10. Les Deux Moulins
Famous from the movie Amelie, your experience here might just be as cinematic!
So, ready to dive into the history one espresso at a time? These cafes, apart from serving mouthwatering pastries and world-class coffee, also serve hefty portions of stories, art, and culture.
Until next time, or as the Parisians say, à bientôt!