In Paris, cafés have always been great places to meet people and they play an essential role in Parisian social life, well-known throughout the world. In recent years, they have benefited from a real comeback, in all kinds of entertaining ways.
Local residents and passing visitors get together to have a drink, of course, but also to play board games, listen to music, have a sing-song, have their tarot cards read, or to enjoy philosophical or political discussions... Good times to be shared!
Debates and ideas
Since 1686 when the Procope appeared, cafés have been choice venues for artistic and intellectual life in Paris. Even nowadays, they offer countless opportunities for learning, discussion or exchanges with interested Parisians.
-Le Café de Flore
Every first Wednesday of the month at 7pm, the celebrated Café de Flore organises philosophy debates in English. And on the last Tuesday at 8pm, there are geography get-togethers, for an entertaining and original approach to world geography.
Le Café de Flore
172, boulevard Saint-Germain 75006 Paris
Tél : 01 45 48 55 26
-Le Café des Phares
First “café-philo” in the French capital, the Café des Phares hosts discussions every Sunday at 11am on a variety of themes. The spectators can join in and a presenter keeps the debate running smoothly. Each first Thursday of the month at 7pm, a debate on international politics adds to our understanding of world events.
Le Café des Phares
7, place de la Bastille 75004 Paris
Tél : 01 42 72 04 70
-Le Zango
In the relaxed atmosphere of the Zango, a geography or cartography specialist is on hand one Tuesday per month at 7pm to present and comment on the maps displayed on a screen. Highly original, Paris’s first cartography café draws novices and professionals alike.
Le Zango
15, rue du Cygne 75001 Paris
Tél : 01 40 26 27 27
Programme sur www.cafe-geo.net
-Café de l’info
Launched just recently, the information cafés allow you to exchange ideas on the subjects of the media, communication and journalism in France and elsewhere.
Programme of debates on http://cafesdel-infod-aqit.blogspirit.com
Bistrot Saint Antoine
58 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine 75012 Paris
-El Sur
On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, this Argentinian café is host to the recording of the radio show “Travaux Publics”, on France Culture. The general public is very welcome to give an opinion on current affairs while sipping a maté tea.
El Sur
35, boulevard Saint-Germain 75005 Paris
Té l : 01 43 25 58 28
-Literary café Chez Lili et Marcel
Once a month at 7pm, this friendly café in Paris’s 13th arrondissement invites writers from all horizons to come and discuss their work with the customers.
Chez Lili et Marcel
1, quai d’Austerlitz 75013 Paris
Tél : 01 45 85 00 08
-La Canaille
Not really a café, more a bistro-restaurant, La Canaille organises gourmet encounters with authors on one Monday per month (at 7.30pm). Three writers present their books, then the discussions continue in a relaxed manner over dinner.
La Canaille
4, rue Crillon 75004 Paris
Tél : 01 42 78 09 71
19 euros debate + dinner (not including drinks)
Find details of several debate cafés on www.philos.org or www.cafe-geo.net.
-Le Café des Techniques
To keep up to date with the latest on the science and technology scene, come to the monthly meeting (3rd Thursday of the month from 6.30pm to 8pm) at the café des Techniques of the Musée des Arts et Métiers .
A few examples of themes discussed, the latest: “biomimétique, quand l'innovation s'inspire de la nature” or the next one: “Cosmétique ou la science de la beauté”.
Registration recommended: 01 53 01 82 70 or conferences@arts-et-metiers.net
Musée des Arts et métiers, Café des techniques
60 rue Réaumur (3e)
M° Arts et Métiers, Réaumur-Sébastopol
www.arts-et-metiers.net
- Also see
- Games
- Sing-songs
- Music
- Debates and ideas
- One-offs
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