Le Procope

The Oldest Café in Paris!In 1686, “Le Procope” opened its doors and to this day remains a true symbol of French gastronomy and the Parisian way of life. Located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this café once welcomed renowned figures from the worlds of literature and politics — Voltaire, Rousseau, Franklin, and Jefferson.Today, the restaurant’s atmosphere transports you straight to the 18th century: portraits on the walls, chandeliers, furniture styled to resemble antique pieces, red walls, and countless mirrors — as soon as you step through the door, you step into another era.The restaurant has three floors, with a variety of rooms — from intimate corners for private meals to open spaces filled with tables.Climbing the elegant staircase, one can spot an intriguing exhibit behind glass: Napoleon’s hat.The menu offers a taste of classic Parisian gastronomy. I, of course, couldn’t resist ordering escargots — and they were perfectly done.It was impossible not to try the historic recipe:“Ivre de Juliénas” traditional coq au vin.Soon, a pot appeared on the table — a stew of various meats, potatoes, mushrooms, and herbs, all simmered in wine. The flavour was rich and satisfying… except for one thing: the rooster meat was completely dry. It tasted as if it had been cooked days before and accidentally ended up in the pot. A mystery, considering how delicate the rest of the ingredients were.For dessert, I ordered the lemon meringue tart — sweet, but not overly so. After such a hearty main course (which I would recommend sharing between two), finishing the meringue is a challenge in itself.To sum up: this is absolutely a place worth visiting, for the historical ambiance, elegant interior, and classic dishes.The unfortunate issue with the coq we’ll consider as an exception.Service: there were some minor notes. Of the two hostesses I happened to observe, one clearly wasn’t in the mood and made no effort to hide it. A small moment that left an unpleasant impression. Otherwise, no complaints.