Cafe de la Paix, Paris

Café de la Paix opened in 1862 as part of the Grand Hôtel during Haussmann’s renovation of Paris. Designed in the opulent Napoleon III style, it stood out for its richly decorated interiors. Its prime location near the Palais Garnier helped it quickly become a central meeting place for the city’s cultural and social life.

Cafe de la Paix gained international fame during the 1867 Exposition. The café attracted notable figures such as Émile Zola, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Oscar Wilde, and Edward VII. It later became a subject in literature and art. Over time, Cafe de la Paix remained culturally relevant, hosting early film screenings and appearing in works linked to figures like Ernest Hemingway and Walt Disney, and even serving as the site of a historic 1948 transatlantic radio broadcast. Its interiors were officially protected as a monument historique in 1975.

The menu at Café de la Paix blends classic French cuisine with subtle modern touches, focusing on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients under Chef Laurent André. It features traditional dishes such as foie gras, escargots, onion soup, seafood platters, and mains like sole meunière and beef tartare, alongside lighter reinterpretations. Desserts highlight French pastry classics like mille-feuille and Opéra cake, while options such as Sunday brunch and a more casual café and terrace menu offer additional variety.