One of my favorites in Saint Germain des Pres, La Palette is the quintessential Paris café. It has everything a classic Parisian café you would imagine: a zinc bar, dark wood paneling, waiters wearing starched white aprons from the waist down, classic rattan café chairs, dark leather banquettes, extended white canvas awnings, chalkboard menus, and worn-out wood tabletops.
Opened in 1902, it attracted artists including Cezanne, Picasso, and Braque and art students from the nearby Beaux-Arts school, hence the name and palettes used in the inside décor, and Hemingway, Jim Morrison, and even Julia Roberts have been clients. In the book Invisible by Paul Auster, the main character frequently goes to La Palette, and it was designated a historical landmark in 1984.
I sat inside in the dining area and ordered a café noisette. It wasn’t the best I ever had but soaking up the rich atmosphere of the dark walls, the cool, 19th-century style paintings, the waiters running to and fro, and the tarnished mirrors, made up for the mediocre coffee.
La Palette serves an extensive drink menu with coffee, tea, soft drinks, cocktails, mocktails, beers, and shots. The limited food menu offers eggs, large salads, charcuterie and cheese boards, steak tartare, duck confit, and croque Monsieur.
La Palette 43 Rue de Seine, 75006
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