Expresso Love: Your Online Guide to Coffee

France’s Coffee Places

May 4, 2006

In France coffee became the rage in 1669 when the ambassador of Turkey to the court of King Louis XIV was the first to serve it to the King. Since then it’s been said that coffee is second only to wine in terms of the amount consumed. Others have voiced the opinion that French coffee tastes a lot and looks a lot like swamp mud — or worse.

As you make your way across France from Paris to Lille you’ll have to decide for yourself. Along the way – make room for the following popular coffee and espresso huts.

Brûlerie des Ternes, Parisian roaster with a good selection of beans. You can buy greens but they cost the same as the roasted beans. The roastery in “10, rue poncelet” (metro Ternes) is a must see. The roaster is in the middle of the store and coffee bags from all origins are hung as decorations all over the place. A paradise for coffee lovers. Note they sell a complete selection of tea, too.

Verlet (256, rue Saint-Honore’, Tel : 01 42 60 67 39) One of the most popular coffee houses in Paris! Specializing in Arabica beans since it’s humble beginnings in 1880, Verlet now offers 28 different blends to sample, purchase and drink to heart’s content.

Bodum Shop (Forum Les Halles, 103 rue Rambuteau, 75001) – a truly international selection of coffee-making accessories as well as fine blends and a relaxing atmosphere. Multiple locations in France throughout various European countries as well.

It’s been said that, “…Parisians like coffee more than they do sex, cinema or Charles de Gaulle…!” If that’s the case, then the following locales rate high marks:

Brûlerie des gobelins (2, avenue des gobelins) - a really good roaster with a good variety of beans and some rarities like Guadeloupean coffee. Several blends are available, two of them especially made for espresso. Most of their beans are available in roasted and green. You’ll also find a big selection of tea, French sweets, biscuits and high quality chocolates.

Cafés Estrella - (26, rue St Sulpice) – Don’t judge the small location and simple interior for the great coffee and pleasant selection of beans. No blends but good origins. The roaster will be happy to propose you a coffee adapted to your taste. The selection is made on quality/cost. Sells roasted and green beans.

The best coffee house in Paris may well be the one you stumble on by accident. And that’s half the fun when it comes to enjoying a cup of java!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006 at 7:16 pm and is filed under European Coffee Bars