In the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Procope stands as a living monument to Parisian history. Founded in 1686, this legendary restaurant in the 6ᵉ arrondissement is the oldest café in Paris still in operation, a haunt of writers, thinkers, revolutionaries and gourmets, which has weathered the centuries without losing its soul.
Le Procope was founded in 1686 by a certain Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, a Sicilian who came to Paris with the revolutionary idea of democratizing the consumption of coffee, a beverage still rare in Europe. Coffee was not served in makeshift cups, but in porcelain mugs, at the table, in a place conceived as a salon of conversation and refinement. Located on rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, just opposite the Comédie-Française of the time, the establishment quickly became a meeting place for authors, actors, philosophers and politicians, both a social gathering place and a laboratory of ideas.
The 18ᵉ century consecrated Le Procope as the salon of the Enlightenment. Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, d'Alembert and Beaumarchais debated over steaming coffee. Voltaire is said to have consumed up to 40 cups a day, laced with chocolate. The restaurant also became a rallying point for the Encyclopédistes, an informal extension of the salons of the period. Then came the figures of the Revolution : Marat, Robespierre and Danton crossed paths with the ideas that would turn France upside down. Le Procope became a discreet stage for political debate, a café where French history was written in small sips.
Today, Le Procope has preserved this historic atmosphere. As you enter, you'll discover a tangle of period salons, chandeliers, wood panelling, busts of philosophers, period objects and revolutionary relics. The walls feature handwritten letters, quotations, a bicorne attributed to Napoleon I, antique engravings and nods to its illustrious regulars. The entire address has been carefully restored to preserve its character, while providing a comfortable, immersive experience. In summer, its hidden terrace, at the end of a discreet courtyard, lets you enjoy a quiet lunch, far from the hustle and bustle of Boulevard Saint-Germain.
In the kitchen, today's chefs perpetuate the great classics of French gastronomy, with historic dishes such as coq au vin, braised beef cheek and semi-cooked duck foie gras. The Maison also offers themed menus, such as the Menu des Révolutionnaires, a nod to the great speeches and pamphlets that used to be exchanged between two plates. Guests come to enjoy traditional cuisine as much as to feel the spirit of a literate, cultured and gourmet Paris. Costumed service, white tablecloths and the hushed elegance of the setting make for a unique experience.
More than three centuries after its creation, Le Procope continues to attract the curious, tourists, regulars and culture lovers alike. It remains a symbol of literary and political Paris, a place where heritage is not static but alive, integrated into the contemporary city. It's a place where one sits down to table with Voltaire and Danton, and where coffee is never just a simple beverage: it's the fuel of free thought. An address that has seen the birth of ideas, lived through revolutions and served generations of dreamers, agitators and gourmets.
Our review of Le Procope:
Le Procope: rediscover Paris' oldest café
Do you know Procope, the oldest Café in Paris? It's undoubtedly one of the capital's finest restaurants, listed as a Monument Historique. We'll take you through its history, its menu and what's new to discover. [Read more]
Location
Le Procope
13, Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie
75006 Paris 6
Official website
www.procope.com
Le Procope: rediscover Paris' oldest café
