1.18.2010

Cruisin' Cafes: Paris, France

Darlings it was not solely Ernest Hemingway who fashioned a fervor in me to navigate the foreign soil of Paris, France’s aire urbaine; nor is he specifically the individual to point fingers at regarding my ever so slight obsession with the charming haunt – a passion which has begun to spill over into my everyday life as visible via the red berets sitting askew atop my head, and the addition of tops festooned in horizontal black and white stripes speckling my wardrobe. The truth of the matter is that the classic, effortless luxury of La Ville-Lumière has always lit a fire within my soul; a flame which only flickered brighter with my introduction to Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and the bewitching character of Brett Ashley. Her flirty elusiveness and penchant for popping up in various coffee shops littering grand old Paris worked as one to make me realize that café cruising is truly incomplete if not experienced along the Champs-Élysées, Quartier Latin, and Montmartre – locations where one can get lost in a handsome stranger’s eyes while daintily downing a demitasse. I truly hope that you’re prepared my loves, for The City of Light…here we come! L’Autre Café Along the stark white rue Jean Pierre lies a scarlet-shaded structure sitting mere feet from the faded black concrete traversed daily by speeding Vespas and miniature cars on their way to unknown destinations; a topsy-turvy splash of color which freckles the avenue in the same fashion that glistening stars light up the dark as night sky once evening falls. While, by outward appearances, easily mistaken for a playful toy shop proffering porcelain dolls, or a smoky nightclub graced by the presence of sparkling lounge singers; the crimson hue of L’Autre Café is neither. Rather, it is home to an ambrosial bistro brimming with old-fashioned charm! Upon opening the front doors you are taken from a gritty street into a homey atmosphere full of true Parisian spirit with a splash of Moroccan influences courtesy of the red, orange, and brown color scheme – all of which takes on a golden glow when the light streams through the large front windows. But the true piece de resistance of L’Autre is the picture perfect nooks and crannies harboring cozy tables for two, booths nestled in hidey-hole corners, and vintage coat stands for visitors to hang their hats. Pop in for the café au lait; but don’t leave without savoring the Sunday brunch! 62 rue Jean Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France. L Apparemment Café Kitty cats every so often we stumble upon a diamond in the rough; a splendrous little gem grinning like the Cheshire Cat from its clandestine post concealed from prying eyes and only visible to those with a touch of imagination and the capability to uncover fabulousness. L Apparemment Café is such a place. One does not know cool until they have sashayed into L Apparemment. The dim lighting instantly creates an abrasive, slightly archaic aesthetic which juxtaposes between a musty, vintage detective vibe and haut monde ambiance – two completely different eras which converge into one saucy stop-off overflowing with brazen attitude. Huddled within walking distance of the Archives Nationales, Musée Carnavalet, Picasso Museum, and Cognacq-Jay Museum, L Apparemment is the trendy little café you’ve always dreamed of visiting. Lamps cast a glamorous glow upon each table, providing the perfect light source for playing your board game of choice; overstuffed chairs contribute a lived-in aura; and a choice location makes it a must for tourists and residents alike. Enjoy a game of checkers with your croissant; play Monopoly over mochas; or simply shoot the breeze with jam and butter in hand. Chances are, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time in this beauty! 18 Rue de Coutures Saint-Gervais, 75003 Paris, France. Which of these Paris cafes would you like to cruise? Fashionably yours! Thanks to Tumblr for the pictures. Don't forget to enter The Haute Hostess Giveaway for your chance to win a Women’s Apron Original Frosted Cupcake from Flirty Aprons.
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78 comments

Stéphanie said...

J'adore !

Nina said...

Erika, I wish we were having coffee together right now!

SabinePsynopsis said...

Mmmh, probably rather no. 2, though I would give both a try. Actually, I think I'm going to book the Eurostar now and come back with first hand experiences! (Oh, dream on, Sabine!). But then, Paris in the spring, why not?! Sabine x

SabinePsynopsis said...

Mmmh, probably rather no. 2, though I would give both a try. Actually, I think I'm going to book the Eurostar now and come back with first hand experiences! (Oh, dream on, Sabine!). But then, Paris in the spring, why not?! Sabine x

Jessica said...

I'm gonna have to check out L'autre Cafe! My parents visit me in June in Paris. Know any other hidden gems to visit?

Chicago Chic said...

L Apparemment Café sounds absolutely amazing! I adore an ambience of dim lighting and the way you describe the vibe simply captivates me! I must visit someday...

xo
Rachel

FASHION SNAG said...

Mmm, I would give anything to be back in Paris, France having coffee anywhere. Loved that magical place. xoxo

www.FashionSnag.com

Diane said...

paris is the best city to go cafe hopping in. oh how i need to travel there again...

Mimi said...

I would settle for any reason to visit Paris, even if it's just to check out a cafe!! Fabulous post.

Couture Carrie said...

J'adore, darling!
Can't wait to go back to Paris and cruise all of these cafes!

xoxox,
CC

KP said...

sounds completely fantastic xo

M said...

I'm getting all nostalgic now. How I wish living overseas sometimes! Paris is one of my favorite cities: the cafes, the brasseries, the chic people... I think I have yet to visit these two, though. Definitely putting them on my list! :)

maddy said...

mmmm coffee is paris! what is better than that?

Anonymous said...

I just posted yesterday about how bad I want to go to Paris...you're reading my mind, girl!
LOVE this. :)

Monica said...

mmmmm looks so good!

thesilentswagger.blogspot.com

Polished Sense said...

Yummy! Love all the photos :D I'd probably have to cruise the first cafe! The whip cream and cookies look de-lish.

♡,
Jessica

Anonymous said...

Mmm lovely post! like it ;))

Unknown said...

Oh Erika, that's so yummy. Just looking at these photos made me feel so relaxed.

xx,
betz
http://herarmoire.blogspot.com

Leah said...

Erika, any cafe in France is perfect... I don't think I will have any fave. xoxo

Rachel said...

New time I take the train to Paris I'm totally checking this place out...

Olive said...

Paris is the ultimate cafe haunt, I think. I feel swept away with your post... Oh, for a plane ticket!

Sam said...

I think there are so many fabulous cafes in Paris that it would take a lifetime to explore them all! But these are ery good recommendations I've got to say! I'd start with L Apparemment Café I think!

Jen Hsieh said...

you definitely need to stop it with these international cafes because i'm so tempted to just jump on a plane and go city hopping for coffees :)
i haven't been to paris in years (and i was so young i don't really remember much - feels like i never really went and appreciated everything). great post againm!
i think i'd go to every single cafe. i can't just pick one!

Sharon Lei said...

I can't wait until the day and me and the hubby get to visit Paris.. I've been wanting to go for years...... I hope we'll be able to make it a reality soon. :) and we'll definitely be hitting up some coffe shops... weeeeeee!

Hope you have an awesome week, Erika!

Love & Aloha,
S

http://elisharon.blogspot.com/

Mom Fashion World said...

thanks for reminding me about Ernest Hemingway. I have to do a post when I was visited his house in Key West.

Joanne said...

I cast my vote for L’Autre Café, definitely. The nooks and crannies with cozy tables do it for me, how quaint does that sound! Thanks for the virtual coffee break ...

Anonymous said...

Oh how I love Paris. This is only making me wish I was back there now, sipping cafe au lait at L'Autre Cafe. Will definitely check these out the next time I'm there! xo

http://www.labelllefille.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Now I need a cappucino! and pretend im in Paris =)

I think you would like this photo!

http://chipie.tumblr.com/post/340255951/cosmicool-someday-ill-have-paris

Jen said...

Yay! A Paris post! I am delighted, Erika - thank you for this.

And I can truthfully say - I will visit each and every one of these cafes! And I might try recreate the photos, too! :)

Jolie said...

Sadly, I have never been to Paris, so any one of these would be incredible. You always make the reader feel like they are there! xoxo Jolie

The Blonde Duck said...

I really want a cookie.

Unknown said...

All those coffees look nice, and I sort of imagine a scene of being in Paris, outside a coffee house, with a lovely nice coffee, France is such a serene place.

J'aime
www.tinominosquared.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

yummy!

ARANXA. said...

looking at those pics makes me wanna go to a little cafe in france and look at the amazing views :)
xx,
http://whitenailpolishandcoffee.blogspot.com/

Sherin said...

These place sound amazing. Me and Leia are off to Paris this weekend, so will definitely need to check these places out!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

HECK yeah. I think I'll just pretend that I'm planning my Parisian getaway!

ZANAH said...

That coffee looks so yummy! One of the best places to have coffee is definitely Paris :) Mon Mode Blog

Daydream Believer said...

I can't choose. I want to visit all of them.

Riah said...

now I'm craving coffee mmmmmmmm

Bianca said...

Thank you very much for commenting in my blog! I love yours now I'm following <3! tnx! xox-b cactusfashion.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Mmm, i'm so inspired to go to Paris. So many people i know are there right now. the perfect little cafe can be so special.
xox alison

Erin said...

Aw, thanks for the comment. I know we're not supposed to be looking for affirmation, but it's always nice to hear it :)

shelby h.k. said...

sending this post to my best friend tyler (eiffeltyler.blogspot.com), who's living in paris for the year for grad school (i'm sooo jalouse!).

can't wait to scout out these cafes when i visit her in March!

xx

p.s.: what type of camera do you use? such beautiful photos!

Scientific Housewife said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and I think yours is fabulous! I look forward to seeing more :)

ediot said...

hope you had an great weekend. what did you do dear? xx ediot

Bonnibella said...

Your descriptive explanations are enough for me to float into both cafe but I think the 1st one with a misunderstanding of a nightclub exterior is for me!

There is nothing better in this world to me than sit, relax, converse, and sipping a rich latte.

bananas. said...

k now i'm craving cookies and coffee. yummmmmm...

Marz said...

Oooo, I've been waiting for your cafe's in Paris post for a long time. Hopefully I'll be going there as soon as I graduate, so I'll be printing out this blogpost and taking it with me :)
-Marz

Kiki said...

bonjour!....i want a shot of espresso now... and some macaroons! awww....yum!

Anonymous said...

L Apparemment Café

definitely
so lovely.

Emily said...

cafe's in Paris -- please and thank you!

Tee said...

Your blog is the most charming I've visited in weeks! Kudos to you for your sophisticated writing and whimsical content :) I definitely want to visit these cafes of which you speak!!

Cheers!
http://kalonity.blogspot.com

Victoria said...

Aw Thank you ^^ You can have my hair if u wanna ;P
I like your writing. Very poetic in a way ! or like, nicely written !

Anonymous said...

Gosh I just wanna go to Paris! I don't even have to go to a cafe. I just wanna BE there!! Hahaha

K said...

Hmm. Paris is not at the top of my list of places to visit, so for now I will sip my coffee in Seattle and speak like Pepé Le Pew.

Taylor Sterling said...

I am all about cafes in Paris. Sign me up! xx

Elaine said...

Okay, now you just made me want to go to Paris RIGHT NOW.


clothedmuch.blogspot.com

fadetoblack said...

omg yummy!

E said...

I wish I could remember the names of all my faves, now! I was always a sucker for La Coupole (trite, I know), but they had my favorite hot chocolate. Angelina's was a bit much for me.

Elizabeth Marie said...

Any. Without a doubt, any cafe in Paris would do right about now...

xoxo

Punctuation Mark said...

Wish I could take a walk down the streets of Paris and explore this places... ;)

Fifi Flowers said...

YUM! I could sit and drink cafe in a cafe all day!

nicole said...

OKAY seriously lady, if you keep posting about all these wonderful cafes and tea shops on your blog, I'm going to come down with a serious case of wanderlust and I already have my shopping habits to deal with! LOL

I love that second photo you used, great angle and the details with the coloured leaves, the knitted blue wrist warmer and even the colour of the coffee itself, it makes for a very nice photo!

Erika, you should really write for a living or at least get paid for it because the way you describe these places, if I close my eyes and I picture myself being there. Your writing is brilliant; I can't stress that enough.

I've actually been considering studying abroad, maybe do grad school in Paris. That would be so much fun, I doubt I'd get any studying done lol.

Btw thanks for your comment on my 100th post! Hmm...the thing with using velcro for that vintage collar is that I'd want to use it on diff blazers and I wouldn't want to attach velcro to all of them. Sigh, I may just have to safety pin it.

Treacle said...

Oh gosh...this post reminds me of how much I miss Paris and of how much I want to go back.

Have you ever traveled to any of these places you talk about? :-)

FashionJazz said...

Luv all ur pics!! Thanks so much again for your really sweet comment, I am def following your blog too : ) Have a lovely day xxx

Thuhien said...

It loooks so delicous!

xoxo, thn

Joanne Faith said...

ALL OF THEM! I want to drink espresso in Paris and smooch my boyfriend and fly up the Eiffel tower and be romanced in general. Dreams are free, ahhyay <3

Haute World said...

Gorgeous post! However I would NOT recommend seeking a cafe on the Champs-Elysees... it is too busy and touristy and you won't find a single French person there ;-) I love the Marais... perfect choices! And the cafes near Montmartre are beautifully cozy as well!

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

You always make me want to drift off to a faraway land.. :)

yiqin; said...

I love finding nice cafes to chill at :)

Audrey Allure said...

mmm it all looks so tasty!

H A N N A H . M A Y . R O S E . † said...

love this post :)
...now im off to get a hot chocolate! topped with cream. mmmmm x

♥ Hannah

((LONDON--ROSE.BLOGSPOT.COM))

xx

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

I vote we all hop on a plane and head to Paris right now! :) One day when I finally venture to Paris, I'll definitely be going to both of these cafes!

shopahallic said...

I am dying to go to both! You have the loveliest blog - I could spend all day curled up with a latte and a throw reading through your poetic posts.

Thanks for the all the inspiration! I am definitely following you

xo

www.shopahallic.blogspot.com

Shopgirl said...

I LOVE Paris. Want to go back...!!! Might go for a weekend in March and spend it in cafes!! :)

Cafe Pasadena said...

I could cruise any of them!
I love these fotos! Did you take them??

chelsea said...

These pictures make me SO ready to travel. And eat cookies!

Pink Laptops said...

Awesome cookies there. I totally love Paris. The cafe culture over there is amazing, but you have to watch your waist line!

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