French Coffee Is Often Not Delicious: Thank Gosh for the Paris Café Festival!
The Surprising Coffee Scene in France
Since moving to France, a curious (and somewhat disappointing) discovery has been made: French coffee isn’t usually not very good. Now, I’m no coffee connoisseur, but I did live in Italy and know excellent coffee can be everywhere, so let’s be honest—it’s not just a little off, it’s downright bad. In a country celebrated for its gastronomy, wine, and cultural sophistication, why does its coffee miss the mark? It’s honestly strange.
As I’ve traveled across the country—from coastal towns to bustling cities, small villages to the heart of Paris—this issue has perplexed me. Because it’s so fixable it’s like, they want it like this? Top-tier brasseries and high-end restaurants end their meals with that same sad cup of coffee, often accompanied by an underwhelming grind that leaves me scratching my head.
What’s Up with French Coffee?
For years, I’ve asked locals about this odd cultural phenomenon. Their responses are a mixed bag: from confused head tilts and shrugging gestures to vague references to wartime shortages, something about silver spoons and cutlery, or, most commonly, “we’ve always done it this way.” They are big on tradition but like, what?!
And it’s perplexing. I mean, these are people who are known for their commitment to excellence in nearly every culinary domain. Yet when it comes to coffee, their standards seem to be… well, less than stellar.
But here’s the awesome twist—things are changing, and for the better! And with typical French taste and style 🙂
The Evolution of Coffee Culture in Paris
Over the years I’ve spent in Paris, I’ve noticed a massive shift in the coffee scene. No longer is Paris relegated to its bleak espressos and over-roasted, mass produced beans. Now, all over the city—from the trendy arrondissements to the quaint little micro-neighborhoods—you’ll find quality coffee spots that are up to par with the likes of Berlin, New York, London, and Tokyo. (Notice I leave Italy off the list because they’re a league of their own lol. Azzuri!) Yes, the coffee snobs have arrived in Paris, and they’re doing it right.
The Paris Café Festival: A Coffee Lover’s Dream
This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Paris Café Festival at 4 Rue Eugene Espeiller in the Marais. If you’re a coffee enthusiast, this event is absolutely unmissable so book it for next year. (I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word cupping used so earnestly, so often. I tried not to giggle—these folks are TRÈS serious and I am, after all, a professional—but I definitely giggled in my head. A lot.) Here’s what you can expect:
- France’s top baristas, along with World Champion Baristas, World Coffee Roasting Champions (hey, Poland’s Audun!), and other top coffee producers were there.
- Coffee shops and bean purveyors showcased their best brews, giving visitors a chance to taste, sip, and learn about each roaster’s unique methods.
- Ceramics and cup makers, bringing artistry into the coffee experience with beautifully crafted mugs and espresso cups.
- Latte art stations, where you can witness some of the most creative and beautiful designs made in real-time.
- Coffee-making competitions and lessons featuring local baristas. Panel Discussions, too.
- Professional Day: On the final day the event’s “Journée Pro” is reserved for industry professionals.
This festival is truly a celebration of coffee culture, bringing together the best of both local and international coffee makers and enthusiasts. Whether you’re in the industry or just a lover of great coffee, this is the place to be.
Showcasing businesses from all over France to Germany, Japan, Peru, and Switzerland, it’s about more than France as well.
Cime Coffee – This husband and wife team have a coffee shop and torrefactor based in Nantes. They had a selection of their beans (and charming swag) and I can say it was delicious cup.
Cafe Lauca – This Marseille brand had my love as it was delicious and they had a bottle of Pastis on display, which, they serve after 5pm with ice, Laurent, the owner told me. (I don’t like Pastis but je dig a vibe and repping one’s town always.) And no, that wasn’t the only coffee alcohol spot.
Match Tonic Water – I know, you’re like what is this doing there, as I was as well? But with the Cold Brew and a sprig of lemon it was delicious. Speaking with Co-Founder Mats Olsson, it has 4% sugar, less than other brands and the square bottle is one way the brand is thinking about the environment. (Why yes, I am more likely to have it with gin myself but the coffee was delish!)
Loveramics – One of the sponsors of the event, these cups are magic OMG. Obsessed and love all the colors and always informative and a site for the eyes!
Matcha Social Club, Gili and Minor Figures were also there, giving the show a bigger than coffee angle. There were several Matcha tea offers and I had a variety of ginger shots. There was even maple syrup and granolas. While different from coffee, they complemented the event. And yes, I appreciated the pause in coffee tasting lol.
Lomi Café, Beans on Fire, Dose, Belleville, Coutume, KB Coffee Roasters, and other beloved Paris cafés and roasters were there. However, I missed the presence of smaller roasters and shops—last year’s mixed tape beans from Cayo were delish! It’s the smaller shops and personalities that, to me, make the event special.
La Marzocco was there as an event sponsor. They had a ‘Village des Torréfacteurs’ where smaller shops had a presence and show their stuff, and, as in previous years, made a nice addition. (We gotta have the Italian presence for coffee, amirite?)
Bonjour Jacob, in Canal Saint Martin, Saint Germain, and Annecy, is a coffee shop and coffee-based bookstore (a world’s first?!) that I found interesting and a notable addition. Classic Paris Café Festival!
However, the event did feel slightly different than in past years. On that note…
A Note on a Notable Change This Year
It took a second for me to get a sense of what was different this year and then it slowly hit me.
One thing this year was smaller shops and individuals weren’t as present with booths and events. For me, this change took away from the small-business-supporting vibe the festival had in previous years, ever since I first went in 2022. Genuinely supporting small businesses is not only very France, but also very coffee industry. I hope next year they find a way to bring more one-store-type businesses and people into the event, and give them a voice.
I wondered, when the event moved from the space in the 19th arrondissement to this Marais location, whether it would change, feel more corporate—and this year, it did a bit. No one’s saying the coffee brands I listed are major-major, but they kind of are, at least in the context I’m talking about. (Ignoring La Marzocco cuz obvi they are boss lol!) I missed Cayo Roasters and Café Kitsuné presence.
Brita, Alpro, Oatly, Monin, DeLonghi and even Square were there, and they are big obviously, but they go with it, and so can make sense. However, more smaller supplier brands like Minor Figures would make sense and hopefully more will be included next year.
In past years the event featured a coffee artist making art from coffee, More of this is what I expect, yet this year was less on all counts. (Artist Anna Gorvits said on her IG she couldn’t be there this year, here is her wonderful work!)
Why You Should Visit the Paris Café Festival
- Explore the New Wave of Parisian Coffee: For coffee lovers looking to experience something beyond the typical French café, this is your chance to discover a new wave of coffee culture that’s embracing modern trends without sacrificing quality.
- Engage with Experts: The festival brings together top-tier baristas and bean experts, offering a rare opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.
- See the Future of Coffee: From high-tech brewing equipment to the latest milk alternatives, the Paris Café Festival is a glimpse into the future of coffee-making.
- It’s a Celebration: The festival isn’t just for coffee nerds(even though it is full of that lol)—it’s a fun, immersive experience where you can indulge in some of the best coffee Paris has to offer and engage with local artists and vendors who bring their unique talents to the table.
- Encourage Frenchies to keep it up lol. They have millions to convert, they need all the help they can get.
Paris’ Coffee Revolution
While French coffee may still have some room to grow in terms of its global reputation, the Paris Café Festival is a testament to how much the coffee culture in Paris and around France is evolving. It’s an exciting time to be a coffee lover in the City of Light and France!
Whether you’re a visitor or a local, attending the Paris Café Festival is a must for anyone interested in the intersection of culture, coffee, and innovation. It’s a perfect destination for coffee lovers and a prime example of how Paris is embracing modern trends while honoring its culinary legacy.
For us coffee enjoyers, France is getting its coffee game going stronger. Here’s to that!
Wants to know. Has some questions. Very Sag. Always up for pizza. Planning several trips. Big fan of joy. Wants to talk about it. All of them. Is sure we can figure out this whole living thing. Is rooting for you.
