For centuries writers have left their homes, families and countries for Paris. A love affair of the greatest kind, this city of light has penetrated creative minds with endless inspiration resulting in novels, plays and poetry that moved the world. From Hemingway to Sinclair Lewis to Fitzgerald, the restaurants and cafes of Paris acted as workspaces in which some of the greatest stories of all time were created. For literary geeks, visiting the Paris haunts of the “greats” is a must-do, and there’s no better place to start a self-guided literary tour than with these five historic favourites.
1. Café de Flore
What do Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre and artist Picasso have in common? They were all loyal regulars of Café de Flore. Today, thousands of tourists and celebrities flock here to wine and dine at what has become one of Paris’s most famous landmarks. Found on the corner of boulevard Saint-Germain and rue Saint-Benoît, Café de Flore has retained much of its old-world charm including its Art Deco interior and red leather benches, which made it such a draw card for the literary heroes of the 20th century. Romantically Paris, come armed with a book to read or a lover to gaze at.
2. Les Deux Magots
Sunny and cold day A photo posted by Julia (@sunkissed_julia) on
Renowned as a Hemingway favourite, Les Deux Magots sits opposite Café De Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Opened in 1885; it became the stomping ground for the much-loved writer and his comrades in the 1920s. Kitted out with brass and well-dressed waiters, Le Deux Magots still plays its part in the current literary world with Prix des Deux Magots, an award that recognises outstanding up-and-coming French writers.
3. La Rotonde
Another “Rotonde” to my collection, this time black one#larotonde#muette#paris#cafe#loveparis#rotondemuette#chouet#cute#exploreparis#weekendmood#welcometoparis A photo posted by @tati_rogova on
“No matter what café in Montparnasse you ask a taxi-driver to bring you to from the right bank of the river, they always take you to the Rotonde,” Hemingway wrote in The Sun Also Rises. But if that’s not enough to convince you to visit this bohemian gem in Montparnasse, then perhaps its strong ties with F. Scott Fitzgerald and T.S. Elliott will. Do as the writers did and start with a coffee before sliding onto a wine or a spirit. Stay a little longer and reap the rewards of a deliciously French yet diverse menu.
4. Harry’s New York Bar
#Monkeyshoulder #stick #silver #at #harrysnewyorkbarparis #harrysnewyorkbar #harrysbarparis #cocktails #scothwhisky A photo posted by @stevenbartender on
Walk into Harry’s New York Bar and you’ll instantly be transported back in time. With a unique history that saw its owner dismantle the bar in New York and relocate it to Paris on the whim of a friend’s suggestion, this timeless watering hole is as famous for being the creator of two world-renowned cocktails–Bloody Mary and the White Lady– as it is for the people who once drank there–think: Sinclair Lewis, Hemingway, and Blondin. A must-visit for a lip-smacking cocktail when in Paris.
5. La Closerie des Lilas
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Yet another magnet for literary expats passing time, La Closerie des Lilas is tucked away behind a cocoon of greenery in the 6th arrondissement. The cafe pays homage to its most famous past clientele–including Guillaume Apollinaire and Samuel Beckett–with engraved brass plaques lining the bar and tables of where they once sat. Visit at night and order a champagne in the sleek piano bar. Chic and perfect for a special occasion, La Closerie des Lilas is rumoured to be the location where Hemmingway penned.The Sun Also Rises.
(Feature image: Frédéric de Villamil)
