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Archive for the ‘Cafes’ Category

Best Cafes in Aix-en-Provence, France

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

There is no shortage of cafes in Aix-en-Provence, France. The old town is bursting with them and sometimes it’s hard to know which ones are the best.

We’ve done our research, and you can benefit from our first-hand experience of Aix-en-Provence cafes. Here is our list of the best cafes in Aix:

5) La Belle Epoque

Right on the Cours Mirabeau and offering great happy-hour specials, La Belle Epoque is a great cafe for people-watching the afternoon away in Aix.

4) Les Deux Garcons

Always a favorite, Les Deux Garcons is essential to any cafe crawl in Aix-en-Provence.

3) Le Bouddoir

Set back from the main drag on picturesque Place des Tanneurs, Le Bouddoir is the perfect place for a coffee or a pre-dinner drink in Aix.

2) Jacob’s

Dotted throughout Aix, Jacob’s cafes are bursting with baked goods of all kinds. Get an outdoor table and much away in buttery bliss.

1) Riederer

With two locations in Aix, this cafe / patisserie is the best cafe in Aix for afternoon tea or coffee with pastries.



Best Cafes in Paris

Friday, December 22nd, 2006

Paris has as many well-known cafes as it does museums and fashion houses. Whether you want to read a book, write a book, or visit the place where your favorite book was written, Paris has a cafe that will suit your mood. If literature isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of cafes with ample space for discussing your favorite subject or just watching the passers-by.

Here is my list of the best cafes in Paris:

3. Cafe le Paris
Address: 93, ave des Champs Elysees (8e)
Metro: George V

For those looking for a non-touristy cafe in the heart of touristy Paris, Cafe le Paris is a hidden gem. Located on the bustling Champs Elysees, Cafe le Paris is frequented by Parisians who work in the area. With friendly staff and affordable prices (especially compared to other cafes on the Champs Elysees), Cafe le Paris is a great place to stop for a quick cafe au lait during a long day of sightseeing or an afternoon of power shopping.

2. Cafe Les Deux Magots
Address: 6, place Saint Germain des Pres (6e)
Metro: Saint Germain des Pres

Known for being an intellectual center of Parisian thought and debate, Cafe Les Deux Magots was a regular meeting place for French literati like Sartre, Gide, and Simone de Beauvoir. Situated on a busy street corner, the cafe gets packed inside and out with visitors paying homage to France’s past masters.

1. Cafe Les Editeurs
Address: 4, Carrefour d l’Odeon (6e)
Metro: Odeon

Lined with dark wood shelves that overflow with books, the atmosphere of the cozy Cafe Les Editeurs is enough to make even the most logophobic person start writing or discussing heady ideas. Offering both a full menu of coffee and tea drinks and a menu of food items, cafe Les Editeurs is the best place to revel in Paris’ cafe culture.

For Information on Tipping in France:

France Tipping Guide