Café-de-la-Paix, Parisian institution near Opera Garnier and Department Stores

Café-de-la-Paix in Paris was inaugurated on May 5, 1862 by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. On this occasion, she declared, "It's exactly like home! I thought I was in Compiègne or Fontainebleau.

An exceptional location

The Café de la Paix, on the corner of Place de l'Opéra (address at no. 5) and Boulevard des Capucines (address at no. 12), is bordered by Avenue de l'Opéra, which runs towards the Louvre, near Rue Auber towards Gare Saint Lazare and the Boulevard Haussmann department stores, Boulevard des Capucines, which links it to La Madeleine and Place de la Concorde.

Last but not least, since 1903, the Opéra metro station has made it possible to travel anywhere in Paris.

The Café-de-la-Paix and the Grand Hôtel in Paris

Originally, the Café and restaurant were an integral part of the Grand Hôtel. The hotel was originally to be called "Le Grand Hôtel de la Paix", in the center of the "Nouvel Opéra" district laid out by Prefect Haussmann. However, this name was dropped as it would have duplicated the name of another existing Parisian hotel. Only its café-restaurant was allowed to keep the name "de la Paix", and the hotel became the "Grand Hôtel".

A chic place to see and be seen

The Café-de-la-Paix restaurant became fashionable with the opening of the Opéra (January 5, 1875). A place to observe the boulevards and be seen. It attracted artists, writers, journalists, theater, opera and finance people, both French and foreign. Guy de Maupassant, Victor Hugo, Marcel Proust, Emile Zola (his heroine Nana died a few floors up in a room at the Grand Hôtel), Oscar Wilde (his pied à terre was nearby at 29 Bls des Capucines), Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes met up with his assistant Doctor Watson). The Prince of Wales, son of Queen Victoria and future Edward VII, also came to enjoy the spectacle of the pretty Parisiennes.

In 1896, film screenings were organized here.

The Café de la Paix remained in vogue and in the history books in the decades that followed.

An anecdote from 1910. Serge de Diaghilev, creator of the ballets ruses, used to invite large tables to the Café de la Pais for memorable, well-drunk meals. But he often forgot to pay!

In 1914, at the start of the First World War, cabs from the Marne, on their way to the front, paraded past the establishment.
On November 11, 1918, during the victory celebrations, Clemenceau sat upstairs to admire the parade of troops passing beneath his windows, as did singer Marthe Chenal, who, draped in the tricolor flag, sang La Marseillaise at the top of the opera house steps.
Immediately after the 1st World War 14-18, it was common to see English troops stationed in France on the café's terrace. In the 1930s, Ernest Hemingway mentioned the Café de la Paix in "Le soleil se lève aussi".

In 1939, for the first time in its history, the Café de la Paix closed its doors on the day war was declared.

On August 25, 1944, during the fighting for the Liberation, a German incendiary grenade started a fire, which was quickly extinguished by the maître d's armed with their siphon.
After the 2nd World War, in June 1948, Maurice Chevalier, Henri Salvador and Yves Montand gathered at the Café de la Paix, which provided the setting for the filming of This is Paris, the first TV show to be broadcast live to the USA.

It was also here that the unforgettable ballet master of the neighboring opera, Serge Lifar, liked to stop off at the Café de la Paix terrace.

In the 70s, celebrities such as Marlène Diedrich created a veritable riot between the tables at Café de la Paix, causing such a traffic jam that waiters were forced to take a special route between the kitchens, counters and dining rooms.
In 1976, television journalist Léon Zitrone decided to celebrate his professional jubilee here. He sent out magnificent invitation cards to all his friends and relations. The M.L.F. (Mouvement loufoque français), led by comedian Pierre Dac and his friends, decided to play a trick on him by printing fake invitations and sending them to all the concierges in the 19th arrondissement, circus troupes and accordion societies. On the day of the party, everyone turns up with a card.

More recently, John Travolta has even been seen sitting on the terrace.

Café-de-la-Paix separates from the Grand Hotel - not for long

The Café-de-la-Paix was an integral part of the Grand Hôtel until September 1897. Then the Café and restaurant concession were sold to Arthur Millon, already owner of the Ledoyen restaurant and the Weber restaurant on rue Royale, who eventually took control of the Grand Hôtel and then the Meurice, before helping to found the controversial rue Édouard-VII (it begins at 16-22, boulevard des Capucines and ends at place Édouard-VII). Arthur Millon was the founder of one of the largest hotel groups in Paris. On his death in 1913, he bequeathed his empire to his son André, and following quarrels over the latter's succession, the group was sold in 1972.

Along with the Grand Hôtel, the restaurant is the centerpiece of the new Opéra district, with its Second Empire elegance. It proudly displays its listed frescoes and sumptuous gilding.

Café-de-la-Paix : a Parisian institution

It has become and still is a Parisian institution. Its name, its Napoleon III setting and its mythical location are such that the façade reads "Café de la Paix" in a British accent, the better to blend in with tourists from all over the world.

It's open every day for business breakfasts, lunches and dinners, offering group menus featuring the house's signature dishes, revisited by Chef Laurent André.

Enjoy the whole place, with the Parisian specialties for which it's famous: oysters and seafood, foie gras, snails, pâté en croûte, sole meunière, veal chop and, of course, opera for dessert. Service as formal as possible, cellar adapted.

You'll also find emblematic desserts like the Mille-Feuille.

The ideal setting for private events, from meals for 10 to 120 people, or cocktails for 20 to 140 people, right in the heart of Paris.

Café-de-la-Paix offers an exceptional Sunday brunch

Imagined by Chef Laurent André, this delicious, multi-flavored buffet can be enjoyed at our Parisian institution. Enjoy a moment of relaxation with family and friends in a sumptuous Second Empire setting. A fun workshop is organized for younger guests. It's open every Sunday, for €120 per person, accompanied by a glass of rosé Champagne. Free for children under 3 and -50% for children aged 4 to 12.