Comptoir Général Paris
Friendly strangers
If I'm feeling eccentric in the afternoon I'll head down to Le Comptoir Général in the 10th neighbourhood. It's a warm and inviting place and arriving around 17:00 there's space enough to get comfy on one of the beaten-up looking sofas.
I've a reservation about the place that's worth sharing. And that is, although I really buy into the idea of the west-African decorations, the place feels like it's at the tipping-point of cool meets high-concept idea. It feels in some way deliberately fashioned as if from a flatpack-shabby-impoverished-African aesthetic. But that shouldn't detract me from sharing my overwhelming curiosity of the place where everyone I meet there is super sociable.
The last time I was there for instance I went allied with my Jazz singer mate Liv. We took up a shared sofa space (resting our Ti-Punch cocktails on our knees). And within minutes struck up a conversation with a couple of guys beside us. They seemed to want to practice their English chitter-chatter.
So on that social level I imagine Le Comptoir Général as a place much like an expat-departures lounge, one typical of the African continent from generation ago. The beauty of the place is that the aesthetic allows relative strangers to relax enough to get chatting to one another.
About this spot
Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Paris
Espace Niemeyer
Headquarters of the PCF
"Espace Niemeyer" in Paris is home to the French Communist Party, but also a space dedicated to artistic expression and creative architecture...
by
Alix
Mengin
Clos Montmartre
A hidden vineyard in Paris
"Clos Montmartre" is one of five remaining vineyards in central Paris! Their presence dates back to the 10th century...
by
Alix
Mengin
Cimetière du Montparnasse
A green cemetery
"Cimetière du Montparnasse" is not only a cemetery but also one of Paris' biggest green spaces. Many world-famous people are buried here, too...
by
Alix
Mengin
Beaupassage
An open-air food court
The "Beaupassage" in Paris is just as much a space dedicated to food as it is to nature and art. It's a 10,000 m² courtyard completed in 2018...
by
Alix
Mengin
Le Réservoir de Montsouris
Water in Paris
"Le Réservoir de Montsouris" is the biggest water reservoir in Paris. It's a truly impressive structure that's more than 150 years old...
by
Alix
Mengin
Librairie Galignani
A bookstore with a history
"Librairie Galignani" in Paris is a bookshop with a long history and is without a doubt one of the city's most beautiful!
by
Alix
Mengin
La Ferme d’Alexandre
Cheese lovers’ paradise
"La Ferme d’Alexandre" is a cheeseshop like no other in Paris. With their over 350 types of cheeses, they've made it all the way to the Elysée Palace...
by
Alix
Mengin
Théâtre de La Huchette
Spectacle Ionesco
"Théâtre de La Huchette" in Paris is known for its Spectacle Ionesco, which has hosted performances of the famous Romanian playwright since 1957...
by
Alix
Mengin
Promenade Plantée
A walk on the Viaduc des arts
The "Promenade Plantée" in Paris is a 4.5-km corridor that's 10m above ground that will take you from the Place de la Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes...
by
Alix
Mengin
Miznon
Boeuf bourguignon in-a-pita
"Miznon" in Paris had the absolute genius idea of combining the traditional pita with a great French classic - the bœuf bourguignon! Great lunch spot.
by
Alix
Mengin
Chercheminippes
Second-hand pioneers!
The Marais in Paris is best known for its second-hand clothing shops, but "Chercheminippes" and its six shops have been innovating for half a century...
by
Alix
Mengin
L’Atelier Geneviève
Ceramicafé
"L’Atelier Geneviève" is a 'ceramicafé' - here you can decorate your own ceramics w/ a coffee or breakfast. They even have kintsugi workshops!
by
Alix
Mengin
Heading to Paris?
168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 168 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Bars
Our team loves Paris
Get to know our other Spotters from Paris
As featured on:
