Café de l'Industrie

Bastille / Oberkampf - 11eme, Paris –

Nestled on a corner between the Bastille and Oberkampf neighborhoods, the simple but attractive Café de l’Industrie is a classic bohemian hangout that attracts local artists and passing tourists alike.

Antique rugs and eclectic details including a metallic rhinoceros head, vintage life preservers, and flea market paintings of Josephine Baker and sailboats give the space a quirky but relaxed vibe, perfect for the daytime clientele of modern day Hemingways who fill the traditional café tables and booths inside or on the seasonal outdoor terrace to tap away on laptops between swigs of café au lait.

An all-hours kitchen draws everyone from late-night groups of students coming in for brain food and a break from their study sessions to daytime shoppers who rustle in for a quick nibble before returning to the stores on Boulevard Beaumarchais.

On Sunday through Tuesday nights the one-room venue takes on a slight Casablanca atmosphere as cool jazz notes lend a soundtrack to the lively bustle of bobos and couples settling in on the patio to clink glasses with chatty friends, or slipping into the more intimate red leather booths to share some Pinot Grigio.

More than just a comfy place for insomniacs and cramming students, Café de l’Industrie is a great spot for experiencing the storied tradition of Paris café culture, whether it’s two in the afternoon or two in the morning.