Le Procope

The Menu

Bonjour My Dear Friends!

I have to first thank everybody for their kind words of support and reassurance as well as every body's valuable advice on dealing with my little Prince! Thank you so much! He seems to be feeling a bit better and is doing well. We've had some rough days here but the storm is over and it's Blue skies ahead. I used some advice from my dear blogger friends and he is so much more comfortable. It seems that when they act their worst is when more love and affection is the answer.

The two images above are from the cafe website

I was just reminiscing of my days in Paris (I miss it so) and remembering my old friends that I had to leave there. The hours we would spend in the cafes talking, debating, eating, laughing, and enjoying life! Oh, what I would give to be there for just one day. My favorite place to pick a cafe....St~Germain~Des~Pres. Les Deux Magots, Cafe de Flore, Brasserie Lipp, and of course the beautiful Le Procope.

Absinthe at the Cafe Procope via Flickr

Le Procope opened in 1686 and is believed to be the world's first coffee house and Paris' oldest restaurant. It is an amazing place to visit and enjoy some great food.

The writing on the wall

This gem is steeped in history and it is closely linked to the revolution as well. After its opening it quickly became a very fashionable place to be seen. The city's literary and political elite as well as the actors from the famous Comedie~Francaise would meet here.

I feel more intellectual just stepping over the threshold!

Napoleons hat, he must have forgotten this one!

It is here that such famous and influential men such as Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, Rousseau, Beaumarchais, Molière, Diderot, Balzac, Verlaine and Hugo would gather to debate and exchange philosophies. It is here within these walls that revolutionary ideas were born as Robespierre, Danton, and Marat would have meetings here.

Ah, Poor Marie... via Flickr

In this famous restaurant, a young and poor lieutenant named Napoleon Bonaparte would be made to leave his hat as security as he went out searching for money to pay his bill!

The next photos are all cafe website photos

Voltaire's table is still here among the books and paintings reminding us of the 40 cups of chocolate and coffee mixture he drank every day. There is portrait of a woman hanging above a table with a bayonet tear through it, the cut crystal chandeliers everywhere, the rich colors, and mirrors throughout. it all transports you to another time and place. Oh, if these walls could talk!

The area around this fabulous restaurant is just beautiful as well. It sits on the Rue de l'Ancienne~Comedie where the former home of the Comedie~Francaise, the Theatre de l'Odeon is located. It is the first street in Paris to have pavements with gutters and houses some incredible and beautiful homes and shops dating from the 18th century. Not far from here at No 9 is the place that Dr. Guillotin and Dr. Louis perfected their decapitating machine. When it first came to be it was known as a Louisette after Dr Louis and later known as the guillotine after the man who first had the idea.

Alas my friends, I am here and not there but maybe one day we can meet up for coq au vin ivre de Juliénas, Absinthe, and a cafe creme. We can sit and philosophise, debate, and share stories just like the old Masters! Until then...Good night.

~J'ai décidé d'être heureux, c'est excellent pour la santé~ Voltaire