Procope: Paris’s Oldest Café Since 1686

If you’ve ever wondered which café in Paris has been serving customers continuously since the late 17th century—and which famous philosophers once called it home—look no further than Procope. This is the story of the world’s oldest surviving coffeehouse, where marble tables, candlelight, and revolutionary ideas brewed together.

Founded in 1686 by Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli, an Italian from Palermo, Sicily, Procope is Paris’s oldest café. Though it began as a Turkish bathhouse, it was transformed into a stylish café that set the standard for Parisian café culture and attracted some of history’s greatest minds.

What Is Procope and Why Does It Matter?

Procope is not just any old café—it is the oldest continually operating coffeehouse in Paris, established in 1686. Its founder, Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli, was an Italian immigrant from Sicily, and he named the establishment after himself. While it originally opened as a high-end Turkish bathhouse, Procopio soon converted it into a café, introducing elegant design elements that would shape the look of coffeehouses for centuries.

The Original Design That Changed Parisian Café Culture

When Procopio transformed the space, he brought in features that were revolutionary for the time. The café was adorned with mirrors and marble-topped coffee tables—both uncommon in Paris then. These mirrors didn’t just add glamour; they reflected candlelight and created an illusion of more space, a trick that became a staple in café interiors. This trend of hanging mirrors in cafés is said to have started right here at Procope.

A Gathering Place for the Enlightenment

Just three years after opening in 1689, Procope gained prestige when the Comédie-Française, France’s first national theatre company, moved into a building across the street. Selected by King Louis XIV, the troupe of 27 actors drew crowds, and Procope benefited from the buzz. More importantly, the café became a magnet for revolutionary thinkers. Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot—luminaries of the Enlightenment—were regulars. Voltaire even used a royal marble table as his personal desk and reportedly left his mark on the café’s very walls, including the bathroom. Benjamin Franklin worked on drafts of the American Constitution here, and later patrons included Napoleon Bonaparte and Victor Hugo.

Procope Today: A Living Museum You Can Drink In

Remarkably, Procope is still open for business. Many of its original features remain on display, making a visit feel like stepping into a coffeehouse museum. You can sip your coffee surrounded by centuries of history, from the marble tables to decor that has witnessed the birth of modern democratic thought. It isn’t just a café; it’s a piece of living history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Procope, the oldest café in Paris, founded?

Procope was founded in 1686 by Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli, an Italian from Palermo, Sicily. It holds the title of Paris’s oldest continually operating café.

Who was the founder of Procope?

The café was founded by Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli, an Italian immigrant from Palermo, Sicily. He named the café after himself and transformed it from a Turkish bathhouse into a refined coffeehouse.

What famous people visited Procope?

Procope was frequented by Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot. Benjamin Franklin worked on the American Constitution there, and later patrons included Napoleon and Victor Hugo.

What makes Procope’s interior historically significant?

Procope introduced mirrors and marble coffee tables, design elements that were innovative at the time and widely copied in later Parisian cafés. The mirrors enhanced the sense of space and added a fashionable touch.

Is Procope still open today?

Yes, Procope is still in operation. Many original features, like its historic furnishings and decor, remain, allowing visitors to experience a blend of coffee and history in one setting.

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