Café de Flore
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Café |
| Founded | 1880s |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Paris, France |
| Products | Coffee, Food, Beverages |
Café de Flore (), recognized as one of the most longstanding cafés in Paris, is famous for its distinctive façade and its association with a distinguished clientele comprising notable writers, philosophers, and members of Parisian high society. Situated in Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Seine's left bank, it occupies the corner junction of Boulevard Saint-Germain and Rue Saint-Benoît within the 6th arrondissement. The closest metro stop is Saint-Germain-des-Prés on line 4. Despite being a prominent destination for tourists, it continues to be a preferred venue for locals and celebrities alike.
History
The establishment dates back to the 1880s during the era of the French Third Republic, although its precise founding date remains uncertain. Its name derives from a nearby statue representing Flora, the Roman deity of flowers. Early distinguished visitors included literary figures such as Joris-Karl Huysmans and Remy de Gourmont. In 1899, the Revue d'Action Française was inaugurated within its premises, with Charles Maurras composing Au signe de Flore on the café’s upper level.
Over time, Café de Flore evolved into a gathering place for eminent writers and thinkers including Georges Bataille, Robert Desnos, Léon-Paul Fargue, Raymond Queneau, alongside artist Pablo Picasso. During his stay in France in the 1920s, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai was also among its patrons. The café’s traditional Art Deco décor—highlighted by red upholstery, mahogany woodwork, and mirrors—has been preserved almost intact since the Second World War.
After the war, Café de Flore, together with its competitor Les Deux Magots, became a central meeting point for French intellectuals. American author Adam Gopnik observed that by the late 1990s, Café de Flore had gained increased prominence despite Les Deux Magots’ historical connection to figures like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Romanian thinkers such as Emil Cioran, Eugene Ionesco, and essayist Benjamin Fondane were also regular visitors.
Since 1994, the café has hosted the presentation of the annual literary distinction known as the Prix de Flore, founded by Frédéric Beigbeder.
In popular culture
- James Baldwin composed significant portions of his 1953 novel Go Tell It On The Mountain while enjoying cognac and coffee on the café’s upper floor.
- Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent paid homage to the café’s bohemian ambiance by naming an outfit in his Autumn 1960 Dior collection "Café de Flore."
- The café features in the 1963 movie The Fire Within and is referenced in Nicolas Peyrac’s 1975 song "Et mon père."
- In 1981, singer Amanda Lear shot her music video for "Égal" at this location.
- It appears on the cover of Ravelstein by Saul Bellow and was depicted in the fourth series episode "Paris" of Absolutely Fabulous.
- The venue is mentioned in Renaud’s 2002 track "L'Entarté" and portrayed in Les Amants du Flore (2006), a film centered on Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
- Scenes from both the 2011 film Love Lasts Three Years and Season 1, episode 6 of Emily in Paris were filmed at Café de Flore.
- Moldovan artist The Motans included a song titled "Cafe de Flore" on his 2022 album Great Expectations.