Le Consulat Café: A historic coffee house in Montmartre

Last Updated on 1st February 2021 by Sophie Nadeau

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Stroll along any given street in Montmartre and you’re sure to stumble across some adorable architecture and lots of trailing ivy. Not only are these picturesque streets some of the best places to capture fall foliage in Paris, but they’re also the kind of places where you’re most likely to find the cutest cafés the city has to offer. One such location is that of Le Consulat café, a wonderful little place just mere minutes from the Sacré-Coeur…

A trip to Le Consulat: Visiting one of the oldest houses in Montartre…

Located on Rue Norvins, which is associated with famous artist Vincent Van Gogh (and whose final resting place is Auvers-Sur-Oise), you’ll find Le Consulat Café on a little land island of its own. Wander in and you’ll find a menu of typically French wines, an extensive beverage list and plenty of French cuisine, as well as plenty of vintage charm.

Le Consulat Café and restaurant has been open for decades, and as a result, has witnessed plenty of changes in the surrounding district over the years. But in spite of change, the café has remained opened and can be visited today. Here, in Montmartre, you can really walk in the footsteps of the greats.

After all, the café was visited by plenty of the acclaimed artists, writers and painters that flocked to the area in the 19th century. Names of note include Picasso, Sisley, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec and Monet to name but a few.

Le Consulat Café Address | 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris, France

Things to know before visiting the café

In order to get the best possible photos of the café make sure to visit early morning, midweek if possible. The same goes if you want to find a good table! Later on in the day and on the weekends, you’ll find it almost impossible to capture a good photo of the café with few people in it.

You’ll also find that all the best places to sit are taken if you arrive too late. If you’re a meat eater, then the Steak au Poivre avec pomme frites (steak and fries) is rumoured to be one of the best in the area. Otherwise, order an espresso, sit out en terrasse and watch the world go by.

Though much has changed since the café first opened its doors, it’s safe to say that this is one area of Paris that retains its vintage charm. From the cobbled streets to the narrow lanes dotted around the place, an afternoon in Montmartre will be an afternoon well spent…

Nearby, you’ll find plenty of must-see Montmartre attractions including Musée de Montmartre, La Maison Rose and, of course, Place du Tertre (where you’ll find plenty of artists painting ‘en plein air’). For more ideas on things to do in the area, check out my post ‘a quick guide to Montmartre‘!