Mastering the Art of Parisian Cafe Culture with Angela, Part Two

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Ever wondered what elevates the simple act of sitting in a Parisian cafe to an art form? Join me, Angela, as I recount my very first cafe escapade in Paris—a nostalgic journey that started without a map and led to the vibrant cafe Dupont Saint-Michel. Picture a young couple, tired yet exhilarated, finding their way through the city’s charming streets, and stumbling upon perfect spots for people-watching. This episode offers a personal slice of Paris, filled with practical tips and heartfelt memories to inspire your own adventures.

From iconic establishments like Café de Flore to hidden gems you might otherwise overlook, let's explore the essence of Parisian cafe culture. I'll guide you on how to find those picture-perfect rattan chairs and delightful seasonal treats, whether it's a refreshing Mont-Alo in the summer or a rich chocolat chaud in winter. So, if you're planning a trip to Paris, or simply dreaming of it, this episode is a treasure trove of advice and recommendations to make your experience truly magical. And don't forget to check the show notes for all the details you need to make your Parisian cafe dreams come true!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
this famous Paris pastime of people watching.
You get to participate.
You get to do that and havelots of fun.

(00:20):
Hello, lovelies, bonjour.
I'm Angela.
This is the Paris with Angelapodcast.
I have been online for the last20 years as Parisian Farm Girl,
so if you'd like to follow methere and check out my
French-inspired lifestyleYouTube channel and blog, you
can do that two to four times ayear.
I take followers from ParisianFarm Girl, whether they're

(00:44):
following from Instagram orYouTube or the blog, and I take
them to Paris for a culinary andflea market focused experience.
If you would like to come onone of my trips, here's a little
coffee mug I'm going to sendyou when you reserve your spot
for April 2025.
We have eight spots left fornext spring.

(01:05):
I can't believe that it's sofar away, but only eight spots
left.
I would love to have you joinme and if you need help
customizing your own trip toParis, don't hesitate to reach
out.
All the links you need will bein the show notes of this
episode.
This episode is sponsored byDry Farm Wines.
I want to introduce you tobeautiful French, biodynamic and

(01:27):
organic wines.
These are the wines that Idrink.
These are the wines that Istock my wine cabinet with.
They're getting more and morepopular around Paris and you can
have them shipped right to yourhome, grown from family farmers
all across France and beyond.
You can visit dryfarmwinescom.
Forward slash Paris with Angelato check out how to get a free

(01:48):
bottle with your first order.
And, of course, whether you'retraveling with me, by yourself
or someone else, you need travelinsurance and you can find
excellent rates and packages attravelinsurecom.
Forward slash Paris with Angela.
Now, we talked about Paris Cafeetiquette the other day and I
would like to finish with somemore thoughts for you.

(02:10):
As you are planning your trip,you're going to see all those
classic cafes Café de Flore,café du Mago and other ones that
are very, very popular.
They're on all the postcards,they're on all the Instagram
feeds, and I want to encourageyou to branch out and try some
other ones.
There's nothing wrong withthose, but they're going to be a

(02:32):
little bit pricier.
They're going to be a littlebit busier.
Don't be afraid to try a newcafe.
If you like the rattan chairsout front, try it.
Sometimes they're like thecutest color scheme.
I've been known to try a newcafe simply because the chairs
were so adorable.
There was a cafe near a hotel Istayed at once, called Kitsch.

(02:53):
I'm not sure if it's open, butI went there simply because the
decor looked so cute, the staffwas fantastic, I had a lovely
time, and so don't be afraid totry a new cafe.
Don't just go to the populartourist destinations and keep in
mind the seasonal experience.
Don't forget to eat outside.

(03:14):
Don't be afraid to eat outside.
It's such an enjoyableexperience.
This famous Paris pastime ofpeople watching.
You get to participate, you getto do that and have lots of fun
.
There are seasonal experiencesthat you can partake in.
If you are visiting in thewinter or near Christmas time,

(03:36):
or it just happens to be coldout, don't forget to try a
chocolat chaud, which is Frenchhot chocolate.
You will love it.
Ask what the seasonal specialsare.
Try a Mont-Alo, which is a mintsyrup water in the summer Very
refreshing.
Now I promised you in the lastepisode I would share my first

(03:57):
cafe experience with you, andthat was a good.
25 years ago.
It was my first trip to Parisand we were exhausted, my
husband and I, and I had beenreally preparing for the trip.
I had been studying the maps, Iknew my way around the city
before the plane even landed.
So we checked into our hoteland I wanted to surprise my

(04:20):
husband with my region prowess.
And so without a map this waspre phones so without a paper
map, which is what you used backthen I walked us right to Notre
Dame and on the corner is acafe called the Dupont
Saint-Michel and it's a pretty.
I'm assuming it's a touristdestination.

(04:41):
It's right there, smack centralon the river.
It's a very, very busy metrostop right there, excellent
people watching.
I didn't know what to order, Ididn't know what I was doing.
We ordered two bowls of Frenchonion soup and a bottle of wine
and we sat there for hours.
We were exhausted fromtraveling.
It was so special.

(05:02):
The metro stop right there.
People are coming up.
This is right where a lot ofpeople are arriving into the
city, so we got to watch themstruggling with their luggage
and just the hubbub.
It's a really, reallyinteractive intersection and
I'll never forget it.
That cafe is still there.
It's really special to both ofus.
We took our children there whenwe took our children to France.

(05:24):
So many years later, there'snothing really reputable about
it as far as the food.
It's just an excellent locationand has a very, very special
place in my heart.
Another cafe that I love is LeSelect, and that is on the
Boulevard Montparnasse.
Love is Le Select and that ison the Boulevard Montparnasse.
It's an old Hemingway haunt andI think the staff is fantastic.

(05:46):
I love going there.
There's a resident cat and itticks all the boxes as far as
mosaic tile, rattan chairs, funstaff, great menu, pretty
standard menu, excellent peoplewatching, again on the Boulevard
Montparnasse.
I do suggest the Le Select, butthere are hundreds of other

(06:10):
ones for you to check out, don'tbe afraid.
What I would advise on avoidingare the really big tourist traps
.
So, for example, if you'retaking a stroll down the
Champs-Élysées and you see thatthere is a popular cafe you want
to try, maybe try somethingright around the corner, because
most of the people that visitthose cafes are tourists.
So if you're looking for, likea really authentic experience,

(06:33):
those are going to be packedwith tourists and I myself like
to go to the restaurants thatthe locals really, really enjoy.
So I always say, if you're onthe Champs Elysees, maybe tuck
around the corner and trysomething else.
The point is there are hundredsof cafes.
Each one has their own charm,each one has their own vibe.

(06:53):
Each one has their ownsignificance in that particular
neighborhood.
If you're there for a week andyou found one you really like,
don't be afraid to go a coupletimes.
That's going to give you anopportunity to maybe see a
familiar, friendly face in awaitstaff.
That gives you a chance ifyou'd like to practice your
linguistic skills, because oftenyou're recognized if you go

(07:16):
there a couple times during theweek and that can be a great
experience for you.
In the show notes of thisepisode, you'll find everything
that we've talked about, and I'mgoing to suggest seven iconic
cafes that you may want to lookinto as well.
Again, if you'd like to join mein 2025, be sure to check out
parisianfarmgirlcom.
Forward slash Paris with Angela.

(07:36):
All the travel, insurance andwine links that you need are in
the show notes.
Leave a review.
Be sure to leave a comment.
Tell me about your very bestcafe experience in Paris, and I
will see you all again very soon.
A bientot, you.