Café littéraire guide

Cravan: haute couture cocktail bar and bookshop in a historic Paris townhouse

On the left bank, CRAVAN electrifies Saint-Germain-des-Prés with its haute couture cocktails and literary atmosphere. Nestled at 165 boulevard Saint-Germain, this bar imagined by Franck Audoux unfurls over four floors a universe where one drinks as much as one reads. With its shaker, library and rooftop cinema, this historic address revisits the art of the cocktail with style.

L'Ours et la Vieille Grille: poetry-filled café-library and wine cellar in a former theater

In the Latin Quarter, the history of the capital meets literature in the bookshop de l'Ours et la Vieille Grille. Formerly a theater in the 1960s, the place is now a haunt for poets and book lovers, as well as for fine dining, as it boasts a soulful café!

Café Pli: an inspiring coffee shop where you can send yourself a letter in the future

Café Pli is an intimate concept straight from Korea, offering you the chance to put your thoughts on paper for your future self, who will receive a letter in one, ten or twenty years' time, and will undoubtedly have a nice surprise! Rendezvous in the 11th arrondissement for a moment with yourself, over a drink and a sweet treat.

Le Comptoirs des Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Près, the literary café on the go

Discover Comptoir Les Deux Magots, the new takeaway café in the 6th arrondissement of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris. On the go or to take away, the place offers homemade recipes based on local produce, with sandwiches, croques-monsieur and salads on the menu.

Café Mirette, the excellent bistronomic restaurant with hidden terrace in Saint-Lazare

Café Mirette is Le bon plan hidden behind the Saint-Lazare train station in a sheltered, little-known passageway. There you can lounge, sheltered, in the middle of 8ᵉ, enjoy fresh, seasonal cuisine and, as a bonus, very affordable. Housed within the Pernod Ricard Foundation, which continually offers free exhibitions, this is the literary café you'll love to go to.

Maison Constantine, the exotic spot for Mediterranean cuisine, bazaar and beauty salon - CLOSED

Fancy a trip to the Mediterranean in the heart of Paris? Head for Maison Constantine, a warm and inviting hybrid of Mediterranean restaurant, artisan bazaar and beauty salon! CLOSING

Les Deux Magots: legendary café in Paris's Saint-Germain des Près district

At Les Deux Magots, you'll discover a place steeped in history and an ideal setting for a gourmet break on the terrace. Since 1885, this legendary café has welcomed gourmets and art lovers alike.

Manga Café V2: a literary café for reading and playing video games in the 13th arrondissement

It's a must for all manga fans. Manga Café V2, just off Avenue de France in the 13th arrondissement, combines bookshop, relaxation and video arcade terminals.

La Belle Hortense: intimate literary bar and wine cellar in a bookshop in the heart of the Marais district

Are you a lover of good wine and books? Taste the classics in the Marais at La Belle Hortense, a curious literary bar that mixes books and bottles of vintage wine in a warm, intimate space, surrounded by black-and-white photos.

Reopening of the famous feminist and LGBTQI+ bookshop Violette and Co, in the 11th arrondissement.

After closing in early 2022, the 11th arrondissement literary institution is back, thanks to the determination of feminist activists. More modern, the bookshop now houses a small café, which you can try out from October 13, 2023!

La Régulière: independent bookshop, coffee shop and art gallery in the 18th arrondissement

In the Goutte d'Or district of Paris, you'll discover a true hybrid of independent bookshop specializing in graphic arts, coffee shop and small art gallery, where you can find little nuggets like nowhere else!

Majo, the feminist bookshop with a small vegan café near the Pantheon

Between Jussieu and the Panthéon, you'll find a pretty, cosy bookshop in violet tones, where you'll find feminist, children's and contemporary books, and a vegan café to relax in.

Le Bar Perché: a literary bar & terrace with a view rises to the 7th floor of Printemps Haussmann

Printemps Haussmann continues to surprise us with the opening of the Bar Perché, a hot new literary spot where you can relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee accompanied by delicacies. A veritable cocoon for book lovers and unusual addresses, it's the perfect place to nibble on a snack throughout the day, or to enjoy the terrace with its privileged view of the Eiffel Tower.

Storyboard, the bookshop-café a stone's throw from the Puces de Saint-Ouen

A concept store, a coffeeshop and a beautiful hybrid bookshop with a whole collection of graphic novels, comics, mangas and children's books: that's the idea Bess and Julien had when they opened Storyboard in October 2021. Since then, the bookshop has become a place where you can pop in for a coffee, spend hours leafing through the books, or just drop in for a snack.

Water and dreams, the botanical barge-library on the Canal de l'Ourcq

On the banks of the Canal de l'Ourcq, you'll find an unusual barge that holds treasures of lush greenery and literature. A small café-restaurant hides away in this unique botanical bookshop with its feet in the water, the ideal place for good ideas to germinate!

Books'n'Brunch, the free literary brunch at the Maison de la Conversation

If you like literary cafés, where you share your reading recommendations of the moment, head to the literary brunch at the Maison de la Conversation, in the 18th arrondissement, on Sunday afternoons!

Un livre et une tasse de thé, the feminist and committed bookshop in République

Just a few steps from the Place de la République, a pretty and colorful bookstore with feminist and committed books and programming is nestled in a small, warm and vegan-friendly tea room.

Le Petit Ney, the associative, literary and playful café where you can go with your children

Porte de Montmartre hides a beautiful navy-blue shop window with heaps of books on display: it's Le Petit Ney, an associative café in the 18th arrondissement, offering workshops for families, a café area, books and, above all, a space for the little ones.

Bonjour Jacob, a concept combining artworks, magazines and a coffee shop

To discover a surprising and inspiring place, head for Bonjour Jacob, near Place de la République. On the menu: art exhibition, coffee shop and a selection of the best magazines from around the world.

Used Book Café, the literary coffee shop

The Used Book Café is the coffee shop-library of the Merci Concept Store. A coffee shop like no other, it gives you the chance to read while enjoying a simple, homemade menu.