Cadets de Gascogne with its coffee and fresh croissants, macaroons and tartelettes is very special for me. I do not know how, why, and when, but through the years it has become a place to hide inside and even stand outside the whirl of tasks, things to do, things to manage and resolve.

Ironically, this café is located on the central street of Riga – Brīvības street – which has very intense traffic and streams of urban crowds. But somehow, very magically, by opening the doors and entering the café, the relaxed atmosphere encircles and calms you down immediately. This must be the magic of French lifestyle right here, in the middle of Riga.

I like to sit down at the table near the big window with a cup of coffee and some snacks, looking at the busy Brīvības street rush and then at the sky above. Sitting by the window and observing all the people and cars passing by somehow makes for a very philosophical mood and sometimes it is even hard to stand up, leave the cafeteria and return to reality.