Coffee Culture in France – A Brief History
France’s love affair with coffee began in the 1600s, when the drink arrived through trade with the Ottoman Empire. The first Parisian cafe, Le Procope, opened in 1686 and quickly became a gathering place for writers, philosophers, and revolutionaries. Voltaire reportedly drank 40 cups a day there – though we cannot verify the exact number.
By the 18th century, Paris had hundreds of cafes, and the cafe terrace became the symbol of French social life that it remains today. The French Revolution was partly planned in cafes. The existentialists of the 1940s and 50s – Sartre, de Beauvoir, Camus – practically lived in them. Coffee in France has always been intertwined with intellectual life, conversation, and the art of taking your time.
Today, France consumes about 5.4 kg of coffee per person per year. The country has roughly 35,000 traditional cafes and brasseries, though that number has been declining for decades. What has not changed is the central role of coffee in French daily life – from the morning cafe creme to the after-dinner petit noir.
How Coffee Is Prepared in France
French coffee preparation is less standardized than Italian espresso culture, and the results can vary widely depending on where you are.
In cafes and restaurants, the standard coffee is an espresso – called un cafe or sometimes “le petit noir” (the little black one). It is typically a single shot pulled from a commercial espresso machine. The quality varies enormously. Historic brasseries and tourist-heavy spots sometimes serve mediocre, over-extracted espresso, while specialty coffee shops in Paris and Lyon rival anything in London or Melbourne.
French roasts tend toward medium-dark, though lighter roasts are gaining ground in the specialty scene. The blend often includes some robusta beans, which adds body and a slightly more bitter edge compared to pure arabica.
At home, the French press (called a cafetiere a piston in French – yes, the French press is actually French) remains popular alongside drip machines and Nespresso capsules. France is one of Nespresso’s biggest markets worldwide.
The most common drinks include Cafe (a single espresso), Cafe Creme (espresso with steamed milk – France’s answer to the latte), Cafe au Lait (coffee with hot milk, usually at home), Cafe Noisette (espresso with a dash of milk), Cafe Allonge (a longer, diluted espresso), and Cafe Double.
How to Order Coffee in France
Ordering coffee in France is straightforward, but there are a few things worth knowing to avoid confusion.
Ask for “un cafe, s’il vous plait” and you will get a single espresso. If you want something milky for breakfast, order a cafe creme – this is the standard coffee-with-milk drink in French cafes. It is not the same as a cappuccino, even though it looks similar. Cafe creme is made with more milk and less foam, and there are no strict rules about when you can drink it (unlike Italy).
Important: cafe au lait is primarily a home drink. In a cafe, you order cafe creme instead. If you ask for cafe au lait in a Parisian cafe, the waiter will understand, but it marks you as someone more familiar with the term than the culture.
For the full vocabulary and ordering tips, check out our How to Order Coffee in France guide.
The Unwritten Rules of French Coffee Culture
Counter vs. terrace pricing: This is the most important rule to understand. In many French cafes – especially in Paris – there are two or even three different prices for the same drink. Drinking at the counter (au comptoir) is the cheapest. Sitting in the main room (en salle) costs more. And a seat on the terrace? That is the premium. A cafe at the counter might cost 1.50 EUR, while the same drink on a sunny terrace can be 3.50 EUR or more. You are not paying for the coffee – you are renting the view.
Take your time: Unlike Italy where coffee is a quick affair, French cafe culture encourages lingering. Ordering a single espresso and sitting at a terrace table for an hour with a book is perfectly normal and expected. No one will rush you or ask if you want anything else.
Coffee after meals: The French drink coffee at the end of a meal, but always after dessert – never with it. A cafe (espresso) is the standard after-meal drink. Ordering a cafe creme after dinner would be unusual.
Be polite first: Always greet the server with “bonjour” before ordering. Not doing so is considered rude and may result in less-than-enthusiastic service. It is not the stereotype of the rude Parisian waiter – it is that you skipped a basic social courtesy.
No elaborate customizations: Do not expect to order a “half-caf oat milk latte with two pumps of vanilla” at a traditional French cafe. The menu is what it is. Specialty coffee shops are more flexible, but brasseries and traditional cafes serve classic drinks and that is that.
How Much Does Coffee Cost in France?
Coffee prices in France vary dramatically depending on where you are and where you sit.
At the counter: A single espresso at a Parisian counter costs about 1.50 to 2.00 EUR. In smaller cities and rural areas, it can be as low as 1.00 to 1.20 EUR.
Seated in the cafe: Expect 2.50 to 3.50 EUR for a cafe or cafe creme in Paris. In the provinces, 1.50 to 2.50 EUR is more typical.
On the terrace: In prime Parisian locations – think the Champs-Elysees, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, or near major monuments – a cafe on the terrace can run 4.00 to 6.00 EUR. The most expensive cafes in Paris charge even more.
Specialty coffee shops: A flat white or pour-over at a specialty cafe in Paris costs 4.00 to 6.00 EUR, roughly in line with London or Berlin prices.
Best Cities for Coffee in France
Paris: The undisputed capital of French cafe culture. From historic institutions like Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots to the booming specialty scene (Coutume, Belleville Brulerie, Ob-La-Di), Paris has it all. The trick is knowing which spots are for the experience and which are for the actual coffee.
Lyon: France’s gastronomic capital also takes its coffee seriously. The specialty scene has grown rapidly, with roasters and cafes that rival Paris without the tourist markup. Check out Mokxa, one of France’s best roasters.
Bordeaux: A smaller but vibrant specialty coffee scene has emerged in Bordeaux, with cafes like Black List Coffee and L’Alchimiste roasting their own beans. The cafe terrace culture along the Garonne is hard to beat.
Marseille: As a major port city, Marseille has a long history with coffee imports. The traditional cafe culture here has a Mediterranean flavor, and the city’s multicultural character brings North African coffee traditions into the mix.
Regional Differences in French Coffee
French coffee culture is more uniform than Italy’s, but some regional differences exist.
Paris and the north: The cafe terrace is king. Coffee tends to be classic espresso-based, and the specialty scene is concentrated here. Prices are the highest in France.
The south (Provence, Languedoc, Cote d’Azur): The Mediterranean pace of life means longer cafe sessions, and you are more likely to find your coffee paired with a pastis conversation or a game of petanque nearby. Prices are lower than Paris.
Alsace and the east: The Germanic influence brings a cafe culture closer to Vienna or Munich, with more emphasis on pastry and cake alongside coffee. The Kougelhopf (a traditional Alsatian cake) and coffee pairing is a local tradition.
Brittany and Normandy: Butter, cream, and pastry dominate the food culture, and coffee is a natural companion. You might find slightly richer cafe creme here, reflecting the local dairy traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About French Coffee
What is the most popular coffee in France?
The cafe (single espresso) is the most commonly ordered coffee in French cafes and restaurants. For a milky drink, the cafe creme is the standard choice, especially at breakfast.
What is the difference between cafe creme and cappuccino?
Cafe creme is made with more steamed milk and less foam than a cappuccino. It is a larger, milkier drink – think of it as closer to a latte. It is the default milk coffee in France.
Why is coffee more expensive on the terrace?
French cafes charge based on where you sit. The counter is cheapest, inside seating costs more, and the terrace is the most expensive. You are paying for the real estate and the experience, not a better cup of coffee.
Is cafe au lait the same as cafe creme?
Not exactly. Cafe au lait is traditionally a home drink made with brewed coffee and hot milk. Cafe creme is the cafe version, made with espresso and steamed milk. In practice, some cafes use the terms interchangeably, but ordering cafe creme in a cafe is the more natural choice.
Is French coffee good?
It depends on where you go. Traditional brasseries and tourist spots often serve mediocre espresso. But France’s specialty coffee scene – especially in Paris and Lyon – is excellent and has improved dramatically in the last decade. Seek out independent roasters and specialty shops for the best experience.