Les Deux Magots is a veritable institution in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. A jewel of literary Paris, this cult venue, where poets, writers and film-makers seem to have drawn their inspiration, now serves… one of the best old-fashioned in Paris…
In the 6th arrondissement, you’ll find one of the most beautiful cafés in Paris!
Like the legendary Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots is an institution with timeless charm. Founded in 1884, this emblematic café in the Saint-Germain-des-Près district takes its name from a former boutique de nouveautés (by which we mean a bazaar-type shop) that has been located at 23 rue de Buci since 1812. Incidentally, Les Deux Magots owes its name to two Chinese statues – two figures known as magots – that once adorned the store.
Les Deux Magots, the emblematic haunt of Parisian intellectuals
The café soon became a favorite haunt of the poets and writers of the day, including Verlaine, Rimbaud and Mallarmé. In 1933, with the creation of the famous Prix littéraire des Deux Magots, which rewards promising young authors, the establishment establishes itself as an essential pillar of Parisian cultural life. Poets, writers and artists of renown meet there regularly and seem to draw their inspiration from the place. It’s not unusual to bump into Prévert, Louis Aragon, André Gide or Hemingway, seated on the iconic red moleskin banquettes. Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Picasso are also said to have frequented the premises.
A preserved Art Deco decor and a mythical façade that have seduced French cinema.
Les Deux Magots has also won over the world of cinema. Its unique charm has made it the setting of choice for many cult films. In particular, it can be seen in a number of scenes from Gérard Oury’s Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob and Jean Eustache’sLa Maman et la Putain. Another cinematic wink: a scene fromIntouchables, in which Omar Sy and François Cluzet dine in the heart of this legendary Parisian café.
Les Deux Magots: a Parisian institution, renowned for its old-fashioned hot chocolate. And a fine menu, inspired by literary Paris.
In this literary mecca in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, French culinary tradition takes pride of place. At the crack of dawn, Les Deux Magots offers one of the capital’s most renowned breakfasts. It features crisp viennoiseries and the now legendary old-fashioned hot chocolate, accompanied by a pot of whipped cream. In homage to the great writers who have shaped the soul of the café, the establishment offers its breakfast formulas under emblematic names such as “Jean-Paul Sartre”, “Hemingway” and “Albert Camus”.
Have you ever been to this legendary café, a veritable jewel of Parisian heritage?
📍 Les Deux Magots, 6 place Saint-Germain-des-Près, 75 006 Paris