Louvre/Les Halles – Local tips (coffee & tea)

Art brut, a narrow, darkly-lit bar has incredible energy and charm. It is situated near the Pompidou Centre in a quiet, historic street, Rue Quincampoix, where you will face the pleasant but difficult choice among three great bars: L’ Imprévu, La Comédie et Art brut.

Art brut is usually my first choice, though it is not always easy to get in.

Bar and art gallery in one, and decorated directly by the artists themselves, it offers a unique cultural meeting point, point as well as a spot to meet people of different ages and backgrounds. Arty part presents expositions that rotate monthly of both young unknown artists and „stars”, including members of the great French music group Têtes raides. Photography, paintings, sculptures, and DIY also can be found here. .

The staff is unpretentious and friendly, and music is often Serbian and Croatian rock as well as ethno sounds from these parts of Europe.

Main menu stars include Šljivovica- Balkanian plum brandy and Montenegrian Nikšičko beer.

Coffee is pretty inexpensive for this area of Paris and the meat and cheese plate is scrumptious.

Cosy, inspiring and human, Art brut tempts you to return again and again to check out the latest exhibition or just meet old and new acquaintances.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Art brut | Bars, Coffee & tea | Coffee € 1.50
78, rue Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles | +33142721736
16:00 – 02:00 daily

L’Impévu is an unexpectedly colourful bar, that stands out in its neighbourhood. It offers an easy going atmosphere, lively though calm enough to read a book if you are alone.

Like an apartment with 4 different owners, each room has it’s own style and personality. Depending on your mood you can choose the flea market-inspired first room with unusual painted walls, unique tables and dentist chairs; or an oriental room, smaller, quieter and furnished with a comfortable over-sized couch.

Even if it’s not your favourite design choice, this area of the bar, gives you the impression that time has stopped, and is set back so far from the street that you’ll forget where you are. There’s even weak mobile phone signal in that area of the bar, so relaxation is ensured.

For sweets lovers, the tasteful cakes and cookies are ensured and Chai-spiced tea with milk is extraordinary.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Imprevu | Bars, Coffee & tea | Chai € 4.00
7, rue Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles | +33142782350
Mon – Sat 15:00 – 02:00 , Sun 15:00 – 00:00

I don’t smoke, but somehow it makes me feel bad for my friends, having to go outside the bars each time they want to smoke. It reminds me once more how extreme solutions rarely work. Anyway, that’s one of the reasons why I like La Comédie, the small joyous bar on 2 floors with a big heated terrace for smokers.

The entrance is quite ordinary, however, when you arrive at the first floor the mystery of the bar’s name will be resolved – hundreds of movie stars pictures and theatre posters cover the walls. So you can amuse yourself endlessly checking who is who, what theatre plays are still on or just compare the favourites.

Visitors are usually younger people, and it’s not too crowded. Staff is polite and friendly which is always a good news in Paris. Happy hours from 16:00 to 22:00 provide lower price cocktails (€ 4.00).

This Comédie Triade – theatre, books and cinema reminders that fill the first floor room make you feel as you visited your old friend’s home with whom you share hobbies and taste. Here is one more reason you could feel so comfortable at La Comédie.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Comédie | Bars, Coffee & tea | Pint € 4.00
17, rue de Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles
Tue – Sun 16:00 – 02:00

One of my favorite treats in the States was boba, or “bubble tea” – flavored tea beverages with tiny gelatinous tapioca balls or “pearls” that are sucked through a wide straw. Though the beverage originated in Taiwan, it has spread throughout Asia, and more recently to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S.

Boba tea was one of the treats that I accepted leaving behind when I moved to Paris, as I didn’t expect to find it here. Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered ZenZoo – a restaurant and boba teahouse near the rue Sainte Anne and the Louvre.

The restaurant is tiny and seems to always be very busy but also offers a takeaway window to take tea to go. There are several different tea flavors on the menu that can be enjoyed as boba drinks, and there are also more traditional tea drinks. I recommend the green tea with m

ilk – boba style of course!

ZenZoo is the perfect place for people who want to try boba for the first time and boba veterans who are looking for their fix.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
ZenZoo | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Asian) | Large bubble tea € 5.50
13 rue Chabanais | Louvre/Les Halles | +330142962728
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 23:00