This Sunday, September 21, the most unusual of running races will set the pace in the heart of the capital for an entire day. Waiters and waitresses will be in the spotlight in the Marais district, as it’s the Course des cafés that will be taking place on this special day. Professionals and curious onlookers alike will be able to meet at the starting line, tray in hand.
Get your trays ready, the Course des cafés is about to get underway!
Scheduled for the weekend of the 2025 European Heritage Days, the Course des cafés is a fitting tribute to the profession. After all, Parisian cafés and bistros have just been included in the inventory of intangible cultural heritage! This Sunday, from 7.30 a.m., the meeting point is the Hôtel de Ville square, which will be bustling with activity all day long, including the start of the day’s three very special races.
At 9:30 a.m., the race for professionals and apprentices kicks off. Armed with their trays balancing a coffee, a glass of water and a croissant, the waiters will set off on the 4-kilometer course winding through the heart of the Marais district. The rule is simple: reach your destination without running or spilling anything! Then, at 10:30 a.m., the general public race takes over, with the aim of imitating the real pros. Finally, at 2 p.m., children take center stage with a race dedicated to them. All this will be punctuated by entertainment throughout the day, including a prize-giving ceremony, a quiz and a molkky tournament.
A tradition that has endured for decades, the Course des Cafés returns this weekend. It’s an opportunity to celebrate and pay tribute to the men and women who work in the restaurant industry.
📍Location: Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004
📆 Dates: Sunday, September 21, 2025
💶 Price: free registration – More info here