The cafes in
Paris are arguably the most fashionable in the world. They define “chic” with their elegant ambiance, delicious food, and for a lot of them, old-world appeal. It also helps that the fashion set loves them too. Take Angelina Paris, for example, in the 1st arrondissement. No less than Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself was one of its many patrons. You can't forget about the iconic Café de Flore on Boulevard Saint-Germain too. The city's intellectual and artistic elites have and continue to use this as their ultimate hotspot. What more could you ask for?
Angelina Paris
Place Vendôme is among the most glamorous spots in Paris. Surrounded by five-star hotels, upscale restaurants, and luxury boutiques, the famous landmark has come to define the city's fashionable reputation as does the Eiffel Tower. Fashion shows are often held here or near here, and when the fashion set needs a bite, many of them go to the iconic Angelina cafe on Rue de Rivoli. It's also located in the
1st arrondissement and is not too far from the area's glamorous hotspots. But perhaps what has made fashion followers go here is that this used to be Coco Chanel's favorite sweet escape.
Source: Angelina Paris
Café de l’Esplanade
Another of Paris's most fashionable cafes is Café de l’Esplanade on Rue Fabert. Its old-world ambiance, classic cuisine, and fine wine list never fail to draw in designers, models, journalists, and of course, celebrities. It helps that it's only a hop and a skip away from Pont Alexandre III, an ornate bridge where
haute couture houses have staged fashion shows (both over and under the bridge, no less!), magazines have shot editorials, and brands have filmed adverts on. If you're part of the fashion industry, there's a good chance you've been to or passed through this bridge yourself.
Source: Café de l’Esplenade
Café de Flore
Café de Flore has always served as one of the chicest cafes in Paris. It was
the go-to hotspot for the intellectual and artistic elite of the early 20th century. Writers like Georges Bataille and Léon-Paul Fargue and painters like Pablo Picasso frequented the cafe, exchanging ideas, starting trends, and revolutionizing society altogether. Fortunately, its fame has stayed the same over the years. Today, the rich and famous dine here. French fashion magazines have also shot editorials here and never fail to mention the cafe when they write about the best and most stylish places to eat in Paris.
Source: Flickr.com/ ayustety
Les Deux Magots
Café de Flore's famous rival, Les Deux Magots, also remains one of the most popular and most fashionable cafes in Paris. Since it's also located in the central
Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, it's not that hard to get to no matter where you're coming from. Much like its rival, Les Deux Magots drew all sorts of prominent figures during the early 20th century. Among its most notable patrons included Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, James Baldwin, and Julia Child, among many others. It's this chic and impressive history that still makes Les Deux Magots a go-to hotspot for the fashion set today.
Source: Les Deux Magots
CoCo
No, this cafe isn't named after Coco Chanel, hence, it's on this list. It's simply a fabulous hotspot in the chic Opera District in the
9th arrondissement. The cafe sits atop the iconic Palais Garnier, one of the most famous landmarks in the city. Its open-air terrace is the ultimate outdoor setting, offering up amazing city views and fresh air. Pair all that with its delectable classic French menu and it's no surprise that the fashion set loves going here. It also helps that various designers have staged their fashion shows inside the Grand Opera House. Where do you think they'll eat after the show?
Source: CoCo
Maxim's de Paris
One look at the unapologetically maximalist interiors of Maxim's de Paris on Rue Royale and it's easy to tell why it's one of the most fashionable cafes in Paris. Its mix of Art Deco and Baroque interior design styles exudes the city's glamorous history, the perfect set for a fashion photoshoot. Naturally, the cafe's haute cuisine is to the establishment's elite patrons' taste, serving the kind of fine food you'd expect in a
Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris. With all of these combined, even you would take your time to dine here even if you're coming from a fashion show held from the other end of the city.
Source: Maxim's de Paris Facebook Page
Discover the most fashionable cafes in Paris, ranging from historic hotspots to chic escapes that even celebrities know about. These are the very same cafes where you'll find the fashion set relaxing amidst the hustle and bustle of Paris Fashion Week.
