If you've never spent an afternoon nursing a coffee or kir on a café terrace, you have missed an essential Parisian experience.
Le Procope is one of the oldest and legendary restaurants in Paris in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés.
This famous café claims to be the oldest café in Paris, as old as La Tour d'Argent (1582) and A La Petite Chaise (1680). This might be true, but there is no document to evidence it for any of the three facilities.
Since 1686, it has been a place steeped in history where the greatest writers & intellectuals have gathered (Rousseau, Diderot, Verlaine ...) in a historic setting.
It was the place where Paul Verlaine was photographed drinking alone, as he liked.
The restaurant is named after François Procope (Procopio Cultelli, or Cotelli) who came from Florence or Palermo. He was a limonadier (lemonade vender) who had a royal license to sell spices, ices, barley water, lemonade, and other such refreshments.
If you are exploring the 6th arrondissement, there is a good chance you will pass by this wonderful restaurant. The facade is one from an old French movie and reminds you of the French Bourgeoisie in all its facets!
This kind of restaurants served as social gatherings for this sociologically defined social class where especially women could parade their latest fashions, show off their wealth, and display their well-rehearsed manners.
As soon as you cross the threshold you know that you are entering a house of taste, tradition and style. Here, dishes are prepared with finesse and served by impeccable service in a setting that breathes history. And yet the modernity is there, subtle and elegant, like just about everything else in this beautiful
restaurant.
On the menu we find traditional French cuisine, bourgeois through different specialties such as Coq au vin and Calf's Head, Braised Boeuf Cheek, House Mille-feuille or the traditional Procopio-style Tiramisù.
Behind the restaurant there is a small terrace hidden away from the passage to enjoy sunny days!
Le Procope
13 rue de l'Ancienne Comédie
75006 Paris