Paris’s First Coffeehouse: Procope Since 1686

When you sip a coffee in Paris, you’re likely not just having a drink—you’re stepping into layers of history. But what if your cup sat where Voltaire wrote, where Franklin drafted the U.S. Constitution, and where the very idea of the modern café was born? That place exists, and it’s been pouring coffee for 350 years.

Paris’s oldest coffeehouse, Procope, has been open since 1686—but it didn’t start as a café. Founded by Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli from Sicily, it originally operated as a high-end Turkish bath before transforming into the city’s first true coffeehouse.

From Bathhouse to Café

Procopio Dei Coltelli, an Italian from Palermo, Sicily, didn’t open a typical café in 1686. He converted what had been a luxurious Turkish bath into a coffeehouse, naming it after himself: Procope. The space was redesigned with then-innovative features like wall mirrors and marble-topped coffee tables—elements that became staples in cafés across Europe. The trend of hanging mirrors in coffee shops started here, serving both decorative and spatial purposes by reflecting candlelight and creating an illusion of larger space.

A Gathering Place for History-Makers

Just three years after opening in 1689, Procope gained prestige when the Comédie-Française, France’s first national theater company handpicked by King Louis XIV, moved into a building opposite the café. This brought a steady stream of intellectuals and artists to Procope. The café became a hub for Enlightenment thinkers including Voltaire, Denis Diderot, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin even worked on drafts of the U.S. Constitution while sitting in its chairs. Voltaire reportedly took over a royal marble desk as his personal workspace, leaving his handwriting even in the restroom. Later regulars included Napoleon Bonaparte and Victor Hugo.

What Survives Today

Remarkably, Procope is still in business. Many original features remain on display, making it less a café and more a “coffee museum” where you can sip espresso surrounded by centuries of history. The establishment’s enduring legacy is not just its age but its role in shaping the social and intellectual fabric of Parisian—and global—coffee culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Paris’s first coffeehouse, Procope, established?

Procope was founded in 1686 by Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli, making it the oldest continuously operating café in Paris.

Was Procope always a coffeehouse?

No. It originally opened as a high-end Turkish bath before being transformed into a coffeehouse by its Italian founder.

Who were some famous people who visited Procope?

Procope hosted Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Denis Diderot, and Rousseau, American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, and later figures such as Napoleon and Victor Hugo.

What architectural features did Procope introduce to cafés?

Procope pioneered the use of wall mirrors and marble coffee tables in cafés. The mirror trend helped reflect light and create an illusion of more space.

Is Procope still open today?

Yes, Procope is still operating and retains many historical artifacts, effectively functioning as a café-museum where visitors can enjoy coffee amid centuries of history.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historic Cafés

Pair your visit to a historic Parisian-style café with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—a bright Ethiopian single origin with citrus, jasmine, and tropical fruit notes—or the Yirgacheffe, offering floral aromas and a juicy acidity. For something deeper, try the PWN Golden Mandheling, a classic Indonesian bean with earthy sweetness and low acidity. These beans echo the nuanced flavours appreciated by Enlightenment-era drinkers. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.