We’re shaking up the usual food-and-w wine pairing at Belle Hortense, swapping dishes for books! After all, isn’t it said that reading is the food of the soul? Behind that blue-tinted facade lies a surprising spot, a crossroads between a literary bar, a wine cellar, a bookstore, and even an art gallery. Books of every kind mingle with bottles of wine, since 1997, from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. You can opt to lean on the bar and sip a Bourgogne or a Saint-Émilion, or retreat to the back room, more intimate and cozy.
This surprising blend harks back to a bygone era, when great writers rubbed shoulders with other artists and locals, a glass in hand, in the neighborhood bar. At La Belle Hortense, you’re surrounded by art and words, thanks to the current photo exhibition that graces the walls and the literary classics you can pick at random while you sip your drink. It had to be a place that housed books, since its name comes from a Jacques Roubaud novel, whose action unfolds on Rue Vieille du Temple, where the bookshop sits!
Brigitte, who has been working these vintage corners of the Marais for decades, will point you toward your evening wine, or a bottle to take away. No junk here: the wines are organic, from French terroir, and all available by the glass. The bistro dishes are likewise thoughtfully prepared, fresh, in the kitchen of the Petit Fer à Cheval, just across the street. We opted for a simple county-charcuterie board, sourced directly from the producer, to pair with a Côtes du Rhône and a Chablis, but the menu is large enough to suit every taste!
The books, meanwhile, you can consume without moderation!
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Wednesday:
from 05:30 p.m. to 01:30 a.m.
Thursday:
from 05:30 p.m. to 01:30 a.m.
Friday:
from 05:30 p.m. to 02:00 a.m.
Saturday:
from 01:00 p.m. to 02:00 a.m.
Sunday:
from 01:00 p.m. to 01:30 a.m.
Location
La Belle Hortense
31, Rue Vieille du Temple
75004 Paris 4
Route planner
Accessibility info
