Ever wish you could whisk yourself away from the big smoke to a little oasis of calm? Ever stuck on the line 4 in Paris and feel like you could do with being somewhere else? Somewhere with trees and leaves, and sunshine, and calm? And maybe a good looking waiter and a perrier? Well just a couple of steps away from the bustling transport hub of the Gare de l'Est in north-eastern Paris is just such a haven of peace. Inside the Maison de l'Architecture, a former convent no less, is the Cafe A, a courtyard cafe that is surrounded by high walls and trees blocking out the surrounding hullaballoo of urban life and sealing you into a little corner of tranquility. Here your ears will be delighted with the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves of the trees and feet crunching on the gravel, and your eyes with an Impressionist display of the light and shade of the sunshine. It's like being on holiday on the Cote d'Azur, yet you need only get off the train at Gare de l'Est to enjoy it. The courtyard cafe is open all year round so come with a book and enjoy a drink on a sunny day whatever the season.
Le Cafe A
148 rue du Faubourg Saint Martin
75010 Paris
nice to know...I love finding out about sweet little finds that are just a few stops away from my place - especially if there are cute waiters involved! ;) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteby the way - does it cost to get into the Maison de l'architecture? I looked at their site, but wasn't really sure. And, if so - can you get into the cafe without paying?
ReplyDeleteEven their website fits in with the secretive theme as it hardly gives away any information at all! To answer your question, no you don't have to pay - you just walk right through to the cafe.
ReplyDeleteTerrific tip! I've often seen the convent walls but never took the time to venture over to check it out.
ReplyDeleteexcellent idea! Thanks Kim!
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the 'sounds lovely' chorus!
ReplyDeleteHow incredibly pretty and unexpected - especially as you can enjoy it all year round. Added to our wishlist of must-sees! Thanks for sharing.
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