Café de la Paix
| Company type | Café |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Food and Beverage |
| Founded | June 30, 1862 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Alfred Armand (architect) |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | International tourists, local clientele |
Key people | Pereire Brothers (financiers), Arthur Millon (owner from 1897), André Millon (owner after 1913) |
| Products | Coffee, food, cultural events |
| Parent | Grand Hôtel de la Paix (Le Grand-Hôtel) |
The Café de la Paix () stands as a distinguished café situated at the northwest intersection of Boulevard des Capucines and Place de l'Opéra within Paris' 9th arrondissement. Conceived in the Napoleon III style by architect Alfred Armand, who was also responsible for designing the historic Grand Hôtel that houses the café, it is celebrated worldwide for its lavish décor, strategic location, and elite clientele.
History
Inaugurated on 30 June 1862 to serve the Grand-Hôtel de la Paix (later known as Le Grand-Hôtel), both projects were financed by the affluent Pereire Brothers as part of Haussmann's renovation of Paris. The café quickly gained international prominence during the International Exposition of 1867. Its closeness to the Palais Garnier made it a favored spot for eminent figures such as Jules Massenet, Émile Zola, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Guy de Maupassant. Throughout the Belle Époque, distinguished guests included personalities like Sergei Diaghilev, Oscar Wilde, and the then Prince Edward, later King Edward VII.
Over time, the café evolved into a cultural icon and a magnet for tourists, featuring in numerous artistic media since the late 19th century. It began hosting film screenings as early as 1896 and drew Hollywood celebrities including Marlene Dietrich, Yves Montand, and Roman Polanski. The establishment is immortalized in musical compositions by artists such as Sidney Bechet and Thomas Fersen, impressionist artworks by painters like Konstantin Korovin, and literary pieces including Robert Service’s poem The Absinthe Drinkers and Ernest Hemingway’s short story My Old Man. Additionally, it is mentioned in Disney’s The Aristocats, inspired by Walt Disney’s visits during World War I. In 1948, a radio studio installed within broadcasted This Is Paris, marking the first live radio transmission from Paris to the United States.
On 1 September 1897, ownership shifted from the Pereire family to French hotel entrepreneur Arthur Millon, who transformed it into one of Paris’ largest hospitality enterprises. After his passing in 1913, his son André took over; following family disputes over succession, the conglomerate including the café was eventually sold in 1972. On 22 August 1975, the café’s interior along with parts of the hotel received designation as a French monument historique. In 2002, restoration work was carried out by Bâtiments de France, experts in heritage conservation.