The Café Run, the iconic race for waiters and waitresses, will ultimately not take place this September in Paris.

Paris has no shortage of quirky and offbeat activities, and this one has recently made its comeback over the past couple of years, after a 13-year absence: the Course des Cafés. Not everyone can take part; you must be a waiter or a waitress at one of the capital's many cafés, and cover nearly 4 kilometers through the heart of a historic and bustling district, the Marais.

The objective? To keep their plate intact, with a glass of water, a coffee and a croissant perched on top, without spilling them! A nod to the heritage of Parisian cafés and bistros, now inscribed on the intangible cultural heritage list. The 400 runners of the day arrive dressed in the traditional service codes and chase the best possible time.

The next edition was slated to take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026 in Paris, coinciding with the Journées du Patrimoine. However, the September event has ultimately been cancelled and postponed to a later date, with no further details at this time.

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Looking back at this year's Coffee Race edition:

Last year, three morning sessions kicked off the day, not to mention the activities and family-friendly animations open to everyone without registration in the afternoon.

• 7:30 a.m.: Opening of the Village on the Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville and presentation of race numbers to professionals and apprentices
• 9:15 a.m.: Distribution of race numbers to participants in the general public race
• 9:30 a.m.: Start of the professionals' and apprentices' race
• 10:30 a.m.: Start of general public race
• 11:45 a.m.: Prize-giving ceremony for winners
• 2 p.m.: Children's race!
• 2:30 p.m.: Family relay
• 3:15 p.m.: Children's Race and Family Relay prize-giving ceremony
• 3:45 pm: Interactive quiz on thehistory of Paris bistros
• 4 p.m.: Musical break with a band on the Village stage
• 4 p.m.: Molkky tournament

Meet at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville to back your favorite merchant!

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