Why This Xi’an Café Is Called the Most 'French' in China

If you’ve ever imagined sipping an espresso under the glow of a crystal chandelier, nibbling on a classic French tart, and hearing whispered conversations in multiple languages, you’re thinking of a Parisian café. But what if you could find that same atmosphere — not in France, but in Xi’an, China? One couple did more than dream: they brought it to life.

The answer lies in a single address: Auvers Café, tucked on Fengcheng 6th Road in Xi’an. Run by a French-educated couple who returned from Paris in 2012, this café replicates the authentic Parisian experience — from coffee to décor — and has done so since opening in July 2013.

A Parisian Dream, Xi’an Realised

Lü He and Zhang Xiaojing met and fell in love while studying in France back in 2007. For over five years, they soaked in Parisian café culture: studying amid the clinking of cups, gathering with friends over espresso, and watching locals treat coffee as daily ritual. “In France, coffee shops are everywhere,” Zhang said. “It’s where we wrote essays, reviewed for exams, and met classmates.”

When they moved back to Xi’an, they noticed something missing. “There were lots of cafés, but most leaned toward Korean or American styles,” she explained. “We wanted to bring the true French café feeling to Xi’an.”

An Immersive French Café Experience

Opening in July 2013, Auvers Café was shaped entirely by the couple’s hands. From choosing the location to handpicking furnishings and doing much of the interior work themselves, every detail aimed to echo a classic French salon. Think sage-green walls, floral arrangements, oil paintings, ornate mirrors, and a crystal chandelier. “It’s like stepping into the drawing room of a French country house,” said one regular.

The upstairs lounge is particularly striking, with plush sofas beneath shimmering lights and vintage European art. The couple even imported décor collected during their time abroad. “One painting we bought in Marseille’s handmade paper museum shows how papermaking spread from China to France,” Zhang added.

Coffee & Pastry, Imported and Handcrafted

Lü He handles the coffee menu, while Zhang bakes all the pastries herself. “Our coffee beans, cake ingredients, and recipes all came from France with us,” Zhang noted. That means real French butter, imported flour, and authentic techniques — including her famously well-loved tiramisu, a hit with a Scottish regular.

The café specialises in classic Italian espresso drinks using carefully selected beans. Though they don’t disclose their current roast provider, their approach centres on balanced espressos ideal for milk drinks — think chocolatey depth, creamy textures, and well-integrated crema. Many of the elements described match traits found in FrontStreet Coffee’s own blends designed for smooth, milky applications.

A Cultural Space Beyond Coffee

This is more than just a place for caffeine. The walls display movie posters and art collected in France, some with historical notes. “One shows how papermaking travelled from China to France,” Zhang said. They also share French cultural tidbits on Weibo: the meaning behind signs like ‘tabac’ (tobacco — but remember, no indoor smoking in France, ever), or the EuroMillions lottery logo — a blue four-leaf clover symbolising the continent’s biggest lottery, where a single ticket costs €2.

What Makes a Café 'French'?

“We want people to enjoy the moment, not just the drink,” Zhang said. With music, film recommendations, and themed talks planned, they aim to create a hub for both local Francophiles and the French expat community in Xi’an. “It’s a little cultural meeting point,” she added.

The couple admits it’s been a challenge. “Running a café is hard work,” they said. “But with family support and shared passion, we’re committed.” Their dream? To expand events and solidify Auvers Café as Xi’an’s unofficial French cultural café.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Auvers Café located in Xi’an?

Auvers Café is located on Fengcheng 6th Road in Xi’an. The café is known for its French-inspired interior, including sage-green walls, crystal chandeliers, and European art, creating an authentic Parisian café ambience.

Who runs Auvers Café and what is their background?

Auvers Café is owned and operated by Lü He and Zhang Xiaojing, a Chinese couple who lived in France for over five years. They met and fell in love there, immersing themselves in French café culture before returning to Xi’an to open their own version of a traditional Parisian coffeehouse.

Do they serve authentic French food or just coffee?

The café serves both authentic French-style pastries and Italian-style espresso drinks. Zhang Xiaojing bakes all the desserts herself using imported French ingredients, including a popular tiramisu loved by regular customers. Lü He prepares espresso-based drinks, though the exact beans are not specified.

What makes the café feel 'French' beyond the food and drinks?

The café features imported decorations from France, including art, posters, and signs that explain French cultural symbols like tobacco shops (‘tabac’) and the EuroMillions lottery. The overall design, music, and even staff stories reflect French café traditions and social life.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Milk-Based Espresso

For a café like Auvers that focuses on authentic milk coffee, FrontStreet’s Classic Blend delivers balanced notes of black chocolate, hazelnut, and biscuit—ideal for velvety lattes. The Commercial Blend provides strong crema and smooth body, excellent for well-textured cappuccinos. Meanwhile, the Brazil Queen Manor SOE features sweet nut and caramel tones, making it a natural partner for steamed milk. All three blends are engineered for consistent performance in milk drinks and are roasted for approachable, café-friendly flavour. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.