“A tourist trap,” some Parisians might mutter about the iconic Café de Flore. But I say, step inside and let the ghosts of literary giants whisper in your ear.
Café de Flore stands proud at the corner of Boulevard Saint-Germain and Rue Saint-Benoît. It is located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This is the 6th arrondissement. Its history is as rich as the dark roast served within its walls.
Opened in the 1880s during the French Third Republic, Café de Flore owes its name to a sculpture of Flora. Flora is the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. From its very beginnings, it attracted a clientele that would shape its destiny.
Early regulars included authors Joris-Karl Huysmans and Remy de Gourmont. Charles Maurras even penned his book “Au signe de Flore” on the café’s first floor. In 1899, the journal Revue d’Action Française was founded here. This journal supported a far-right political movement.
The early 20th century saw Café de Flore become a haven for intellectuals. Georges Bataille, Robert Desnos, Léon-Paul Fargue and Raymond Queneau were regulars. Even Pablo Picasso frequented this spot. Zhou Enlai, the Chinese Premier, was a known patron during his time in France in the 1920s.
The Art Deco interior with its red seating, mahogany, and mirrors remains largely unchanged since World War II. This enduring atmosphere provides a portal to a bygone era. You are transported back to a time of lively debate and artistic inspiration.
Café de Flore has a long-standing rivalry with Les Deux Magots. Both cafes have hosted the great French thinkers of the post-war years. Adam Gopnik even wrote about this rivalry. He explored why the Flore became more fashionable in the late 1990s than Les Deux Magots. Les Deux Magots was associated with Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
In 1994, Frédéric Beigbeder established the Prix de Flore. This annual literary prize is awarded at the café. The prize celebrates originality, modernity, and youth in writing. The jury prides itself on its independence and insolence. Each November, a party is held at Café de Flore to award the prize.
Today, Café de Flore remains a popular spot. Celebrities and tourists alike flock here. They want to soak in the atmosphere and become a part of its story.
The café offers a wide variety of options. You can have teas, coffees, and hot chocolates. Or you can have alcoholic drinks and juices. They also have snacks and full meals. You can have toast, croissants, omelets, salads, soups and desserts.
So, as you sit here at Avenue de Flore, imagine Hemingway arguing with Picasso. Picture Sartre and de Beauvoir locked in deep conversation. Feel the echoes of history. You are not just having a coffee. You are participating in a living legacy.