2 BEAUTY OF SAINT GERMAIN: CAFE DE FLORE & LES DEUX MAGOTS
I wanted to start telling about Paris that I love so much from this beautiful neighborhood; because this is one of the rare places where you can feel the aristocratic spirit of a city right away.. First time to Saint Germain des Pres; It coincides with my 7-day Paris trip during Erasmus in 2011.. I will probably never forget that trip, where I had a total enlightenment in terms of art, and with the support of my friend Gani, who is sometimes the tavern of the city, I reached the streets where I would probably never fall.. Walking around a place with all its districts and getting lost in its streets, walking from morning until night, grasping what the word ‘really’ means ‘to live’ as soon as I get off the plane… That’s why Paris is in the back of my mind ‘always’ as a place I always miss and want to go back to.
Photo: Yuriy Chertok, Shutterstock
As a travel writer, I can say that Paris is strengthening its place in the list of foreign cities that Turks want to see the most.. It would be unfair to attribute this beautiful city, which is the romantic classic of all of us, to the foreground only to its symbol, the Eiffel Tower.. This city is so beautiful even on its own that even though it has no place to visit, it remains at the same point thanks to the “understanding of living” it offers only to those who go.. Ever since I returned from my second trip to Paris, which was planned as my birthday surprise by my dear girlfriend in October, when I take all touristic activities aside, my mind is preoccupied with the beautiful districts of the city and of course the unique cafes that have been the subject of paintings for years.
St. Germain, Photograph: Nigel Spiers, Shutterstock
My first thoughts on Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots that I will tell you about in this article; Although both places are very touristic today, it takes you on an intellectually rich journey when you go.. Because this is the beautiful district where we embraced Paris and teleported to the old times.. I don’t use this as an idiom; really like that. Intellectuals and artists living in tiny, box-like houses for centuries used to choose these cafes of Saint Germain des Pres to work comfortably in the old days.. These cafes, where the great people who once led the ages, the people who enlightened us with their deeds, come out of their homes and meet to think, work and fly ideas, will always remain ‘the most valuable’.. Who knew years ago, that the places where we met will one day open their doors to us today with the pride of witnessing history?
Cafe de Flore
Breakfast at Cafe de Flore
I don’t know why ; some streets and avenues are much more mirrors of the city. Maybe the lines from the books we read for years were written here, maybe the paintings we interpreted in the exams were imagined and drawn in these cafes, or maybe that word that puzzled us was thought for the first time somewhere on this street… Paris is already magnificent, but when you look at Saint Germain, one can see it. another is fascinated. Let’s come to the two most known and must-see places of this place…
Another breakfast frame from my dear Dilara Köseler
One of the first cafes in the city: Cafe de Flore
Cafe also with its 136 years of history Flore maintains its place at the top of the list of places to experience in Paris, with its interior architecture that preserves its art-deco details and perhaps more prominent exterior.. Contrary to what we are used to, when you come here you focus on finding a nice table outside even though you know you will be cold.. The iconic tables and chairs are very familiar to us from the most striking experience frames of Paris.. From the moment you sit at the table, the intellectual air that fills you stays with you until you leave the cafe.. The approach of the staff provides a different satisfaction in a way that you will never forget where you are.. Of course, in this line, it is very important to greet as ‘bonjour’ at the entrance of a place and to fit in a single table and chair with your bag..
A French classic at Cafe de Flore: Onion Soup
Cafe de Flore, named after the Flora statue across it; 19. It became famous as the meeting point of intellectuals in the post-war years, where many important writers of the century and Pablo Picasso were regulars.. They say some places have character, you know, this place too.. The breakfast menu is my favorite among the food alternatives, as well as the drink menu, which is extremely rich with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, from super delicious teas to coffee types.. On a day when you will follow your busy travel plan, you can have a rich experience with croissants, jam varieties, toast bread, scrambled eggs with cheese and tea.. If you say all of these, when we calculate that the teas are for two, you will pay a figure of about 40 Euros.. Of course, I cannot say that this price is reasonable; however, we do not see such places very often and St.. Let’s not forget that we are also at Germain des Pres.
Les Deux Magots
The thinkers’ bmeeting point: Les Deux Magots
Slightly ahead of Cafe de Flore I can say that Les Deux Magots, which is positioned as its strongest rival, has similar characteristics.. They are very similar in terms of appearance and decoration; however, fans of the venue are divided when it comes to Saint Germain.. Les Deux Magots’ breakfast, which is at least as delicious as Cafe de Flore, is so popular that you have a hard time choosing which one to go to.. Despite all this, it’s a little easier to find a seat at Magots in the morning.
Les Deux Magots, Photo: Venue’s website
Les Deux Magots
The cafe, which is famous as the meeting place of Existential thinkers such as Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, and writers and intellectuals such as Ernest Heminway, Albert Camus, James Joyce and Bertolt Brecht; It offers a different environment to its guests with its green garden on the side.. The side garden is as attractive as the tables in front of Magots. Just like in Cafe de Flore, you can catch the nobility and beauty of the old times here, thanks to the waiters who greet you with black and white suits.. Among my food recommendations; The JP Sartre Breakfast, which I even love the name of, with pastries, butter, jam, juice, tea or coffee and fresh fruit, or the Hemingway Breakfast with eggs, butter, fruit, tea or coffee for less calories is at the top of the list.. 26 euros both. Other prominent alternatives include Croque Madame, a French classic and a favorite of my uncle Renan Bilek, classic French desserts and fragrant hot chocolate for winter trips.. Menu prices are very similar to Cafe de Flore. It is possible to meet an artist or writer at any time in Les Deux Magots, where you can enjoy the terrace to the fullest, even though it is at the forefront with its touristic nature nowadays.. You can get off at Saint Germain des Pres stop by using metro line 4 to come to the area.