Restaurant
Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards
A cavernous Belle Époque dining hall on the Grands Boulevards serving low-priced French classics non-stop, every day of the year.
Le Procope
Founded in 1686, Le Procope is one of Paris's oldest cafés, once frequented by Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot and now serving classic French dishes.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic French brasserie
- Area
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open daily · 12:00–00:00
- Official site
- procope.com
Good to know
- Open daily
- Courtyard terrace
- Private rooms
Why we recommend it
Le Procope was founded in 1686 by the Sicilian Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli and is regarded as one of the oldest cafés in Paris. It sits on Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with a second entrance onto the cobbled Cour du Commerce Saint-André. In the 18th century it was a meeting place for writers and thinkers of the Enlightenment, including Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot, and later for figures of the Revolution. Today it is a restaurant serving classic French dishes in rooms decorated with portraits, chandeliers and red fabric that recall that history.
The menu sticks to traditional French cooking. The signature dishes are coq au vin and braised beef cheek, and other options include onion soup, seafood platters and classic desserts such as profiteroles and crème brûlée. There are set menus as well as à la carte dishes. Several floors and small salons create a range of atmospheres, from busy ground-floor rooms to quieter tables upstairs. Look out for the historic objects on display, including a hat said to have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, and the documents and portraits that tell the café's story.
Le Procope suits visitors interested in Parisian history, couples looking for a traditional dinner, and groups who want an atmospheric setting. It is not a cutting-edge restaurant, and the prices reflect the location and the name, but it offers a full French meal in a building with real historical associations. Private rooms are available for groups, and the courtyard side has a terrace in fine weather.
The restaurant is open every day from 12pm to midnight, which makes it useful for a late lunch or an evening meal after a day on the Left Bank. Booking is recommended for dinner, especially at weekends. Allow about an hour and a half for a full meal. Dress is smart casual.
Odéon station on metro lines 4 and 10 is about two minutes' walk away. From the Cour du Commerce Saint-André you can walk to the Boulevard Saint-Germain, the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Odéon theatre, and the Seine and the Pont Neuf are about ten minutes north.
Le Procope FAQs
When was Le Procope founded?
In 1686.
What are the signature dishes?
Coq au vin and braised beef cheek.
When is it open?
Every day from 12pm to midnight.
Who were its famous customers?
Writers and thinkers of the Enlightenment, including Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot, and later figures of the Revolution.
Do I need to book?
Booking is recommended for dinner and weekends.
Are there private rooms?
Yes, private rooms are available for groups and events.
What is the nearest station?
Odéon, on metro lines 4 and 10.