Coffee, Relaxation and Apéro – Enjoy the Wonderful Parisian Terraces

No one loves their terraces more than Parisians. So, if you are looking to understand and experience the city, spending time on a terrace is an absolute must.

One of the best things about Paris, is that you can find café and restaurant terraces everywhere. During the summer there are approximately 17 000 of them all around the city, 13 000 of them are open all year long.

Sitting at terraces – a daily ritual

I love the fact that there are always guests, even during the winter. Parisians adore their terraces – from the big, traditional ones, to the tiny, temporary ones with two stools and a barrel table outside the local wine bar. In a recent survey, 96 % of the respondents stated that they spend time at a terrace at least once a week.

The rationale goes beyond the food, wine and pretty locations, their terraces are far more than just a place to enjoy a meal or a drink. They are an integral part of the Parisian culture, a stage where daily life unfolds. They serve as gathering places where people come together to relax and catch up.

The best place to watch people passing by

The concept of “people-watching” is elevated to an art form here, and one of my top recommendations for you to get the genuine Paris vibe. Leave your phone in your bag. Just look at the people passing by at the street or coming up from the Metro station next to you. Enjoy the fact that no-one will give you a strange look when you just sit there without doing anything, or without company. Going out alone is common, especially during the mornings and afternoons. You may bring a book if you need something to hold on to, Parisians love them and often read at public places. And you can stay for a long time, just make sure to follow the guidelines I have added for you below.

The Parisian Way – 7 recommendations

There are some “rules” and pieces of advice you should be aware of – to show respect towards employees and other guests, and to understand the terrace culture. Here’s a little guide for you:

1. On weekdays between 8 – 12 a.m., most people at the terraces are there for a morning coffee and maybe a Croissant or a Pain au Chocolat. There is no stress, you can just sit down to read and relax. Most places it is possible to order eggs and other food as well, but the locals don’t do it. So if you want to blend in as much as possible, stick to the pastries (in French – viennoiseries) and coffee. The most common versions to order are: Un petit café, un café allongé, un café au lait, or un café crème.
2. During the weekends, Parisians go out for long brunches with friends and family. A lovely meal offered at most restaurants and cafés, where you can often choose from a great selection of egg dishes, granola, fruit, cakes and avocado sandwiches. It often gets crowded, so you should make sure to be there in time if you want to get a table at a certain place. 11 a.m. should be early enough (no guarantee, it can vary.)
3. Around 11.30 a.m., the waiters start preparing for lunchtime. If you are not planning to eat, it is now time to move on. All tables where they put cutleries and napkins, are for lunch guests having a meal. Some places leave a few tables available for people that are just having drinks, then you can see that the waiters leave nothing on them, but on all the others.
4. At 3 p.m., many restaurants close their lunch. However, most places, you can still order some simple dishes like Croque Monsieur and cheese planche regardless of what time it is.
5. After work, the French has a strong tradition of having apéro with friends or family. This means going out for a drink or two before dinner, often with a snack. Most people come in to the restaurants between 5 and 7 p.m., and it often gets crowded – especially when the weather is nice. Some places there are mostly students and other young people from late afternoon and onwards, and suddenly you can feel like you are in the middle of a party.
6. This one is important. Keep your voice down, and do not talk on your phone at a terrace unless it is critical. That is a “Faux pas”, meaning – you just don’t do it.
7. Personally, I recommend you avoiding terraces that has a “touristy” look and feel. You know it when you see it. Move away from the most popular streets to get the most authentic experience.

Good luck, enjoy!