Les Deux Magots — historic Paris café culture at its finest. Sunlit terraces, brushed brass, and the literary heartbeat of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
✦ Captured by TLC Paris

Les Deux Magots – Historic Literary Café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

```
Literary Paris, Historic Café Culture & Saint-Germain Elegance

Les Deux Magots

Since 1885, Les Deux Magots has welcomed writers, philosophers, artists and visitors in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. More than a café, it remains one of Paris' most enduring literary institutions, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner beneath its iconic green awnings.

TLC Paris Concierge note: Les Deux Magots is best enjoyed for its atmosphere as much as its menu. Order the traditional hot chocolate, settle onto the terrace and watch Saint-Germain-des-Prés unfold around you while imagining the writers, artists and philosophers who once sat at neighboring tables.

```
Explore →
Current Stock:

Highlights (evergreen)

Iconic Literary Café

A true Saint-Germain institution where writers, philosophers, artists and travelers have met for over 140 years.

All-Day Left-Bank Terrace

From 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., the terrace looks onto the church and square — one of the best people-watching spots in Paris.

Brunch & Chocolat Chaud

Weekend brunch and a famous old-fashioned hot chocolate that many list among the city’s best.

Cultural Life & Jazz

Jazz evenings, literary encounters and exhibitions keep the spirit of Saint-Germain’s artistic golden age alive.

Central Saint-Germain Base

Perfect starting point for exploring the Left Bank: bookshops, galleries, antique dealers and the Seine are a short walk away.

With TLC Paris Concierge, Les Deux Magots can anchor a whole Saint-Germain day: breakfast on the terrace, Left-Bank bookshops, an exhibition stop and sunset by the Seine.

Explore →

Surreal Lens Artistic interpretation of a real place.

Address, Contact & Map+

Les Deux Magots – Historic Café & Restaurant

6, Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris

Phone (reservations & information): +33 (0)1 45 48 55 25

Website: lesdeuxmagots.fr ↗

Book a table (groups from 9) ↗ · @lesdeuxmagots ↗

Café, Restaurant & Menus+

Les Deux Magots now runs as a full café-restaurant: breakfast from 7:30 a.m., all-day brasserie dishes, pastries, charcuterie & cheese plates, cocktails and desserts.

Think croissants and “petit-déjeuner complet” in the morning, steak tartare or croque-monsieur at lunch, pâtisserie and chocolat chaud in the afternoon and proper dinners in the evening.

Menus in English: Breakfast ↗ · Lunch ↗ · Dinner ↗

Brunch, Hot Chocolate & Literary Spirit+
  • Weekend & public-holiday brunch from 11:00–15:30, with two themed formulas and plenty of classics.
  • Rich, old-fashioned hot chocolate that many consider one of the best in Paris — almost a dessert on its own.
  • Regular jazz evenings, literary encounters and cultural events keep the café’s intellectual aura alive.

If you’re here for the “mythical” experience, time your visit for a sunny terrace hour or a jazz night.

Prices & Reservations+

Expect Rive Gauche-institution pricing: à-la-carte dishes often around €20–40, classic breakfast formulas in the low twenties, and coffees / hot chocolate priced for the address & view.

You generally don’t need to book for 1–2 people on the terrace, but reservations are recommended for groups and at busy times.

Phone: +33 (0)1 45 48 55 25 · Online booking page ↗

Hours & Access+

Opening hours: every day from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., including public holidays (except exceptional closures).

Brunch: Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays roughly 11:00–15:30.

Métro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4) right by the café; also walkable from Mabillon (Line 10) and Odéon (Lines 4 & 10).

The corner terrace looks directly onto the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés — classic people-watching spot.

Bonne journée / TLC Paris Tip+
  • Come early for a quieter, more “local” breakfast — or late evening for the glow of the lit-up façade.
  • If you want to soak in the legend, order a hot chocolate, a tartare or a glass of wine and just watch the square.
  • TLC Paris Concierge can pair Les Deux Magots with nearby bookshops, galleries & a Seine walk for a full Saint-Germain day.
Description
Historic Café, Literary Paris & Saint-Germain Terrace Culture

Les Deux Magots

Les Deux Magots is one of Paris’s most legendary cafés, known for its literary history, classic terrace, Saint-Germain atmosphere and timeless Left Bank café culture. It is a natural stop for coffee, breakfast, lunch, people-watching or a historic Paris pause.

Best For
Coffee, meals & people-watching
Atmosphere
Lively, literary & iconic
What To Expect
Terrace seating & classic café dining
First Visit?
Yes, a Saint-Germain classic
Location
Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th
Nearby
Café de Flore, Saint-Germain & Seine
Visit Time
30 minutes–1.5 hours
Best Time
Morning coffee or terrace lunch

TLC Paris Concierge note: Les Deux Magots is best enjoyed as part of a Saint-Germain walk. Stop for coffee or lunch on the terrace, then continue toward Café de Flore, Rue Bonaparte, the Seine or the boutiques of Boulevard Saint-Germain.

Les Deux Magots – Historic Literary Café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Just steps from Boulevard Saint-Germain, Les Deux Magots stands as a cornerstone of Saint-Germain-des-Prés — a café synonymous with poetry, art, and the birth of modern thought. From its green awnings to its polished interior, every detail evokes the café’s storied past.

This iconic address attracted figures such as Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, and Julia Child. Here, artistic movements took shape, friendships formed, and Paris’s cultural identity was written one conversation at a time.

Today, guests savor classic dishes or a simple espresso while soaking in an atmosphere that feels both cinematic and historic. Sitting on the terrace, you can almost imagine the writers and painters who once gathered under the same light.

After your visit, wander toward Jardin du Luxembourg, or discover the academic heritage of Sorbonne University.

Art and history enthusiasts can explore the Musée National du Moyen Âge (Musée de Cluny), or stroll along Rue Madame, a quiet street echoing the timeless refinement of the café.

Just nearby, the Odéon Theatre, remains a vibrant hub for Parisian drama and culture.

With TLC Paris Concierge, guests can enjoy custom Left Bank tours, pairing a visit to these legendary cafés with bookstores, art galleries, and the Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or even exclusive experiences like philosophy cafés or vintage photo shoots in the same settings where genius once brewed.

Les Deux Magots continues to embody the spirit of Saint-Germain: elegant, intellectual, and irresistibly Parisian.

Just around the corner from Les Deux Magots, you’ll find an elegant mix of designer boutiques including Etro, Ralph Lauren’s flagship, and Moncler, along with refined perfume houses and charming bookstores. The stroll toward Le Bon Marché offers even more Left Bank treasures to explore. Discover TLC Paris’s curated picks for shopping, cafés, and stays throughout Saint-Germain-des-Prés.