In the age
of the internet café and free Wi-Fi at Starbucks, I was wondering, where can
you get that old school “I’ll take three hours to drink this artisan latté”
experience? We’re talking about the real deal of café culture, the kind of
place you could picture Picasso kicking back to enjoy a charcuterie plate and
afternoon glass (or bottle) of wine. Obviously any café that could ever come
close to offering this much intellectual swagger would be located in Paris. Whether
you’re looking for things
to do in Paris while pondering the ideas of existentialism, or just want to
get tipsy on a quaint side street with European hipsters, the City of Light has
a café for you.
Rosa Bonheur
Looking for
a place to spend a quintessentially artsy, quintessentially French night out? Rosa Bonheur, named after the famous
free-spirited, pants-wearing Parisian bohemian painter is a hot spot to while
away a late night enjoying some delicious sangria in a carefree atmosphere. The
café originally opened in 2008, but has only recently gained popularity as a
pretension-free hangout spot for hip families, fashionistas, art scenesters and
local Parisian hipsters. You can get a bottle of wine for a reasonable price
(15 euros!), and dance the night away in the charming wood-framed café or
outside on the lawn. Café Rosa Bonheur is located in the 19th
Arrondissement and is accessible through the gates at 7 rue Botzaris.
Le Sans Souci
Le Sans Souci is a charming dive bar and café located
in the middle of the popular Pigalle section of Paris. The laid-back attitude
at Le Sans Souci – which literally means “no worries” in French – makes it the
prefect place to enjoy an affordable draft after a long day of work or
exploring the city. The crowd here is filled with 20-something professionals,
international hipsters and drunken intellectuals who all have one thing in
common; they love a tipsy chat in a quirky setting. Le Sans Souci is a popular
destination so it’s recommended to get there early if you have your heart set
on grabbing a seat indoors.
 |
| Johnny Lopez, free content license |
Au Rocher de Cancale
Famous
French novelist Honoré de Balzac was a regular at the Paris café Au Rocher
de Cancale, built in 1846 and popular with locals and foreigners alike ever
since. Of all the vintage cafés
in Paris, Au Rocher
de Cancale has perhaps the most reliably festive vibe and endures as a
delicious place to eat, drink or as Balzac did, people watch. There is certainly
no lack of diversity in Au Rocher’s patrons; on any given day you can find
students, families and working professionals enjoying French salads, seafood
and old school steins. Don’t think that this place is only good for an
afternoon drink, Au Rocher de Cancale also offers tasty afternoon brunch
perfected with liquor-filled chocolates.
Le Bar du Marché
Nothing
says “perfect Parisian afternoon” like the sight of a street-corner café with a
red-and-white striped awning, which is just what you’ll find at Le Bar du Marché. This café is known as the
epicenter of the “bobo” phenomenon, the mix of classic French bohemian and
bourgeoisie culture. The atmosphere of the bar reflects this trend; the dim
lighting and vintage jazz posters create a casual lounge vibe while an
intellectual crowd fills the outdoor tables enjoying the simple bistro dining
options. The Bar du Marché is by all means a hip option; make sure you’re
wearing your trendiest smart/casual attire and in the mood for a croque-monsieur.
La Palette
Paris is
full of cafés claiming to have started the “café culture,” but few have the
credibility of the iconic coffee houses of the Saint Germain. This famous
neighborhood is home to many of Paris’ best-known cafés including La Palette, a favorite of Picasso, Cézanne, and
Braque. To this day the café attracts the elite of the creative world, from the
students at the famous art school École des Beaux-Arts to Hollywood
A-listers looking to relive art’s golden era. This café has truly withstood the
test of time and is still popular among tourists and locals alike for its
friendly bartenders, artsy atmosphere, and delicious coffee and food.
Daniel Hogan
is a writer at Party Earth - a global media and
entertainment company that publishes reviews and listings of the best social
experiences around the world including: bars in Paris, pubs in London, beaches
in Ibiza, plazas in Rome, parks in New York, festivals and concerts everywhere,
and more.
 |
| https://amzn.to/467d0Kj - this is an affiliate link |
No comments:
Post a Comment