Cafe culture

A few of my personal favourites, as well as the St Germain des Pres icons.

Les Deux Magots on Blvd St Germain is an absolute tourist must if you're a Paris virgin. Established in 1884 it was the haunt of the arty set including Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Satre, Picasso and Hemingway to name a few. Downside - there are no actual French people ever eating there.

Next door is Cafe Flore, also a Paris landmark. It's art deco decor is pretty much unchanged since WWII and the upside is that the locals do actually eat here so it has a much better atmos - I prefer French conversational hum with my Rose rather than American.

Opposite both is Brasserie Lipp, the oldest of them all having been there since 1880. They have never taken bookings and apparently you can't even apply for a job as a waiter - you have to be invited - tres French!

Another regular haunt if mine is Le Sant Germain which sits handily at the crossroads of Rue du Bac, Blvd Raspail and Blvd St Germain with Rue du Bac Metro station in the middle. Perfect for people watching at any time of the day or night.

My absolute favourite though is L'Esplanade which is also in the 7th but further west in a much more chi-chi area at the end of Rue de L'Universitie and overlooking Invalides. This is guaranteed celeb spotting territory and the tourists don't know about it which is even better, but the downside is it's pricey so much as I'd like to, I'm not able to make a daily pilgrimage...