The Oldest Café in Paris: Procope Since 1686

If you’ve ever wondered where the oldest continually operating café in Paris is—yes, the one where some of the greatest minds in European history once sipped coffee—you’re looking for Procope. But what makes this spot special isn’t just age; it’s the layers of cultural, intellectual, and architectural history stacked inside its walls.

Founded in 1686 by Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli—an Italian immigrant from Palermo, Sicily—the café still stands today and remains filled with original furnishings, making it equal parts working coffeehouse and open-air museum.

From Turkish Bath to Intellectual Haven

Procope didn’t start as a café. It originally opened as a high-end Turkish bath. But in 1686, Francesco Procopio transformed it into a café, giving Paris one of its first refined public coffee spots. His renovations included marble-topped tables and an innovative use of wall mirrors—then a novel touch that both brightened the space and gave the illusion of more room. These design choices set trends copied across Europe. The trend of hanging mirrors in cafés? That started here.

A Magnet for Enlightenment Thinkers and Revolutionaries

Just three years after opening, in 1689, the nearby Comédie-Française theatre moved in across the street. With 27 actors handpicked by King Louis XIV, the theatre drew crowds—and so did Procope. The café quickly became a gathering place for Paris’s literati and radicals. It hosted legends like Voltaire, who reportedly used a royal marble tabletop as his personal desk, even carving quotes on the bathroom walls. Rousseau, Diderot, and other architects of the Enlightenment philosophy debated here. Even American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin worked on drafts of the U.S. Constitution while sitting in one of its wooden chairs. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte and Victor Hugo would also become regulars.

This was no ordinary coffee stop—it was where ideas that shaped modern democracies were exchanged over cups of coffee. The ambiance, combining art, architecture, and intellectual energy, made Procope a template for the modern literary café.

What You’ll See When You Visit Today

Remarkably, much of the original interior has survived. Walking into Procope today feels like stepping into an 18th-century time capsule. Many authentic period furnishings remain on display, from marble tabletops to vintage decor. The café is often described as a “coffee museum” where you can sip espresso or a classic French café crème surrounded by centuries of history. Don’t miss the chance to sit where Voltaire once carved his wit into the walls—or at least where he claimed a royal desk.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Procope, the café in Paris, founded?

Procope was founded in 1686, making it the oldest continually operating café in Paris. It was established by Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli, an Italian from Palermo, Sicily.

Was Procope always a coffeehouse?

No. Procope originally opened in 1686 as a luxurious Turkish bath. It was only later that year that Francesco Procopio converted it into a café, introducing design elements like marble tables and wall mirrors that became industry standards.

Which famous historical figures visited Procope?

Procope hosted many iconic thinkers and leaders, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Denis Diderot, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Victor Hugo. It was a key meeting place for Enlightenment intellectuals and French revolutionaries.

What design trend started at Procope?

The use of wall mirrors in cafés began at Procope. Francesco Procopio introduced mirrors and marble furnishings to enhance the space visually and make it feel larger—an innovation that was widely copied by other cafés.

Is Procope still open today?

Yes, Procope is still open for business. Many original furnishings and historical features remain, allowing visitors to enjoy coffee in a setting that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Why is Procope considered a café-museum?

Procope is often called a “café-museum” because it still displays authentic 18th- and 19th-century furniture, decor, and fixtures. It’s not just a place to drink coffee but a living piece of European cultural and intellectual history.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historical Cafés

Pair your visit to Procope—or your at-home tribute—with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, known for its bright citrus acidity and floral jasmine notes, or their Colombia Huila, which offers a balanced profile of caramel and dark cherry. For a deeper experience, try the Indonesia Mandheling, with its earthy spice and chocolate undertones. All beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.