'10 Tips: The most iconic Café's in Paris' by Franziska Nazarenus
With her blog and ever-growing Instagram account, Franziska Nazarenus is a new star in the Parisian influencer community. As a regular contributor to L'Officiel Austria, she takes us to her favourite hotspots in the city on the Seine, tempts us once again to bite into a buttery croissant and to book a flight to the Eiffel Tower as soon as possible.
This time she reports on the most famous cafés with a photo-worthy backdrop.
Les Deux Magots
Directly on Boulevard Saint-Germain - just 50 meters from Café de Flore - is the prestigious Les Deux Magots Café. As it once was the mecca for literati and intellectuals who discussed their ideas, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Pablo Picasso, and Oscar Wilde, for example, came and went here. With regard to this past, one becomes somewhat nostalgic and exchanges views with one's friends here about God and the world.
Les Deux Magots
6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés
75006 Paris
Café Procope
The café is in the traditional student quarter Quartier Latin, a detour to the oldest café in Paris, which has been in existence since 1686, is a must. Le Procope was a meeting place for famous men and women of the Enlightenment, especially in the 18th century. For me, it's like a trip back in time. When you see the interior (chandeliers, paintings, tables, chairs, etc.) you will feel the same.
Café Procope
13 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie
75006 Paris
Between Palais Royal and the Palais Garnier opera house: Franziska Nazarenus knows the best cafés in Paris.
Angelina Paris
Fashion designer Coco Chanel and actress Audrey Hepburn often visited the famous Café Angelina to drink a hot chocolate ("L'Africain"). To this day, numerous guests crowd into the salon, which was designed in the style of the Belle Époque. After all, Mademoiselle Chanel's former regular café has a reputation for serving the best hot chocolate in town. I love sitting at one of the tables by the imposing mirror and marveling at the hustle and bustle in the main room.
Angelina Paris
226 Rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
Le Café Marly
The glass pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre is one of the landmarks of the fashion capital. Probably the best view of it is from the Café Marly outdoor terrace, which is located directly under the arcades of the museum.
Le Café Marly
93 Rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
Café Le Nemours
Just 200 meters separate Café Marly from the next fashion hotspot - Café Le Nemours. Here too, it's all about location, location, location. The elegant café with an outdoor area at the entrance to the Palais Royal (a former city palace with an idyllic park) is perfect for gazing at people - sometimes incredibly fashionable Parisians - streaming by. Speaking of fashionable people: Le Nemours was and is the location for several films and series - for The Tourist, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp were at the famous café.
Café Le Nemours
2 à 7 Galerie de Nemours
2 Place Colette
75001 Paris
Café de la Paix
The Palais Garnier opera house (also known as the Opéra Garnier) never ceases to fascinate me with its unmistakable beauty. That's why I recommend a visit to the renowned Café de la Paix, from which you have an impressive view of the jewel. On top of that, the place has a long history and its richly decorated interior is a delight, which is why the iconic café has been the setting for many paintings, poems, and films.
Café de la Paix
5 Pl. de l'Opéra
75009 Paris
Carette
Salon Carette Paris is known for its grandiose desserts. I'm pretty sure that the work of pâtissier Fréderic Tessier will delight all lovers of sweet dishes. So if you're in the mood for macarons, éclairs, and/or other sweet treats, head to Carette Paris. The best thing is that there are three places you can go to Carette Place du Tertre in Montmartre, Carette Place du Trocadéro, which is not far from the Eiffel Tower, and Carette Place des Vosges in the hip Marais neighborhood (my favourite Carette).
Carette
4 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre
75016 Paris
La Palette
La Palette used to be a traditional meeting place for artists like Picasso and Cézanne. Today, the café is a trendy place where Parisians, tourists and celebrities (Julia Roberts and Harrison Ford have already been guests) meet. A decisive factor for its success is the super chill outdoor area, which is why La Palette is also one of the best outdoor cafés in Paris.
La Palette
43 Rue de Seine
75006 Paris
Ladurée Champs-Elysées
Since we've already talked about macarons, there's no way around the "mother of all macarons" called Ladurée. What started as a small bakery on Rue Royale in the 8th arrondissement a good 160 years ago is now the ultimate in the popular treat. The most beautiful Ladurée café can actually be found on the legendary Champs-Elysées. Colourful macarons in all flavours make the gourmet heart beat faster - believe me, I speak from experience. The unique location guarantees an unforgettable and wonderful café experience in good weather. My tip: get a seat early in the morning to admire the rising sun.
Ladurée
75 Av. des Champs-Élysées
75008 Paris
Café de Flore
Ernest Hemingway and Karl Lagerfeld were avid visitors to the iconic Café de Flore. Located on the left bank of the Seine in the heart of the fashion & art hotspot Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this institution has so many stories to tell about great personalities. I love ordering a café au lait while reading a good book and watching the chicly dressed passers-by in between.
Café de Flore
172 Bd Saint-Germain
75006 Paris
