The capital’s oldest café, founded in 1686, and restored to its original seventeenth-century splendor, may not be your best bet for a full meal.
Le Procope, officially founded in 1986, opened its doors in 1689. This was a café for artists, intellectuals, and politicians. It was frequented by Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot and d’Alembert. The restaurant has put a plate on its window stating that Benjamin Franklin drafted his Treaty of Alliance between Louis XVI and the New Republic in Le Procope. Actually, this was the Treaty of Amity and Commerce signed by the King of France and the United States of North America on February 6, 1778.
During the French Revolution, Le Procope was quite an active place. The Club des Cordeliers had its gatherings in Le Procope, together with Danton and Marat, who lived in the yard. The place was used to foster the revolutionary movement, as Robespierre and the Jacobinsfrequented the restaurant. Camille Desmoulins’ citation is placed on one of its walls.
Le Procope was the place where Paul Verlaine was photographed drinking alone, as he liked. The restaurant has two levels; it is large with many rooms decorated in the French style of the eighteenth century.
Le Procope is a historical site classified as a historical monument in 1962. The prices are rather high here and the value for money is not quite humane, as reported by clients on review sites.
The restaurant offers seafood and traditional home cooking.
As the restaurant’s timetable is very flexible, you may come there for tea and order flamed pancakes under Grand Marnier sauce, chocolate profiteroles or iced amaretto sabayon. An extraordinary adventure for a reasonable budget.
