GETTING COFFEE AT A CAFÉ IN FRANCE... EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
- French cafés are a cultural experience and a great place to go to people watch, grab coffee or a glass of wine just like the locals do. If you want to order coffee in Paris and all over France, why not head to a French café and try one of the coffees I talk about in this video. I give you some tips for ordering coffee in France and some best practices so you know what to expect and are prepared for your trip to France.
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Salut! I'm Diane, an American who has lived in France since 2012 and started the living abroad lifestyle blog Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond." I make videos on French culture topics, food, travel, language, and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!
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#frenchcafe #frenchcoffee
I was introduced to the café culture in France as a student in Aix-en-Provence, in the late '60s. What a revelation! All those cafés along the Cours Mirabeau, each drawing customers from a different part of the political spectrum. We would sit for hours, having animated conversations. When I returned to the U.S., I couldn't understand why, in the warm climate of Los Angeles, we didn't have those types of outdoor cafés. Fast-forward to today. We have finally caught up to the French--well, almost. I live by the Pasadena area of Los Angeles, and there are outdoor cafés everywhere--in part, due to Covid. But, also, these cafés have become part of our culture. In addition, third-wave coffee has become a thing. Finally, we can get high-quality coffee instead of, say, the Folger's crystals that were commonplace in the U.S. when I lived in France. And we, like the French, can sip this coffee outside in the warm California sun.
Jackie ! Anyone who is fortunate enough to encounter you at a cafe will be very delighted--I am sure ! ! You paint a wonderful picture of France in the 60's. Stay awesome !
Except in the US it would be dangerous to talk about politics at a cafe.
You forgot to mention café or chocolat Liégeois, served in a large glass with whipped cream, delicious!!! I am a Parisien living in the US and I miss french cafés and terrasses so much especially when it's a nice weather . Relaxing at the terrasse of a café is the Best💕
Did you make a confusion between chocolat liégeois and chocolat Viennois ? the first one is a mix chocolate /vanilla ice cream topped w/ whipped cream , the second one is hot chocolate topped w/ whipped cream.
@@claude_1c74 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_li%C3%A9geois
Also, if you're in the mood for a quick coffee, you can have it at the bar (au comptoir). You can drink it leaning on the bar and sometimes making small talk with the others patrons sipping their morning coffee (or glass of wine).
(Congrats, Diane, your channel is really great!)
I am a French and I approve what Diane is telling you here.
Normally coffee is a bit more expensive if you drink it at the terrace rather than having it at the bar.
so what. If you take a seat at Venice you pay 20 Euros only for sitting :-)
This is a really good episode! Just remember not to yell "Waiter!" or "Serveur!" as often shown in movies 😱, if you want something just raise your arm and/or say "s'il vous plait", and maybe😉 he/she'll notice you... Tip (10% of the bill) is already included, but as a waiter's mother, I can tell he is happy to get even a little something in recognition of his good work...
The timing was perfect for this video. Even though I’ve been to France several times and I speak a little French, I never know what the coffees are so I always pay more and get a cappuccino. Now I know - I want a cafe crèma! Thanks, Diane.
Ordering coffee in France seems less intimidating than Italy! Totally off subject, I was thinking you were looking especially luminous, Diane. You have beautiful skin and even though that’s not what your channel is about, I’d love to see you do a French skincare/makeup video.
Oh please do!
Hi Alan, thank you Not sure I'll do a video specifically on that for my channel but I did do a post over on the blog in case it's of interest: www.ouiinfrance.com/french-beauty-skincare-essentials
I will in Paris and Lyon next month, I can’t thank you enough for these informational videos. You helped us a lot to act/speak very properly while visiting France. Thank you so much I truly appreciate all your videos. Much love Penny 🥰
Yup. U r tight. She’s wonderful. Why don’t u tell us about ur trips after u come back ?! An idea.
Her tips are fabulous. I found her as I was moving to France and her tips have been super helpful. 🥰
did you survive Lyon?
@@barfuss2007 It was absolutely amazing, I loved Lyon more than Paris.
Regarding tips: Formerly in France, service was not included in cafes and restaurants. Had to add it and possibly add a tip.
In restaurants, you also had to pay for the "coverage", a fixed price regardless of the menu.
In the 1970s, the government took a radical decision, all prices had to be known and displayed so that the consumer knew in advance what he was actually going to pay.
Taxes are also included. If you see a menu displayed at €30, there are two of you and you take half a bottle of wine at €15, the bill will be 30+30+15=75€. You will know it in advance and you will not have anything added at the last moment.
The servers are paid by the employer, the calculation of the price of the menu takes this into account. However, if you were satisfied with the service, you can tip 1 or 2 euros, more if there were many of you, but it is not compulsory.
Personally I do it because in the summer in my region (French Riviera) most servers are students, I find it normal to help them finance their studies by adding a little.
You could do the same in the USA, things would be simpler. It would suffice to display the net prices including taxes and service. Question of culture, everyone has their own habits depending on the country.
Take advantage of DIANE's advice, she is the US expatriate among all those who abound on TH-cam who is the best adapted and who has understood French culture the best, even if sometimes our ways of doing things irritate her a little bit.
@@MichaelTheophilus906 As if your opinion on the subject matters....
One fun thing is that the Café Gourmant will vary regionally, such as canelés in Bordeaux. I suppose it varies from café to café, as well. It is always fun to see what little treats you get! :-)
Yes, indeed sometimes you get really tiny desserts and can be a bit disappointing while other times it’s awesome!
Another wonderful video from you, Diane - thank you! I particularly liked this one since I'm a big coffee drinker. Also, wanted to say, I love it when you speak French - the more, the better. I love how you integrate it so naturally with English so people like me (beginner, wannabe French speakers) get the context and familiarity in hearing it spoken. Merci!
I am French from New Caledonia and I do miss the French Cafe culture. Whenever I traveled back to Europe, I always hit bistros and brasseries first. The best comfort foods for your money! I avoid the big brands and stick with the Mom and Pop business.
Is there not a French cafe culture in French New Caledonia ?!
@@claude_1c74 Yes, of course. New Caledonia is a little France in the Pacific. But I live in the States now...since 1982.
Another great, useful video. You are the best French expat youtuber for sure!
You're so sweet, thank you!
and don't forget that dipping your biscuit in your coffee before eating it is also a very French habit. the same goes for the baguette or the croissant, dipped in the breakfast coffee bowl 😋
Cafe Gourmand will be next on my list!
Excellent choice!! They are so good!
I discovered Café Gourmand last year...I am never ordering a regular coffee ever when visiting France. We go every year.
Gourmand ! lol
Hi Diane. It might be helpful to mention that, in addition to coffee, tea and hot chocolate, you can order a cold drink at a café, like un citron pressé (one of my favorites), mineral water and soda, like Coke or Orangina. I'm a dual citizen (France/USA), currently living in the US, formerly married to a Frenchman. I recently discovered your videos and am enjoying them!
Welcome, thank you Annie!
Something important to point out is that coffees in traditional french cafés (we nickname it 'le petit noir', the tiny black) are of the Robusta type, much stronger and potent in caffeine than the usual Arabica people use at home. That's why portions are very small.
au bar on commande: garçon! un petit noir! ce que google traduit en anglais par: < boy! a little black! >
@@danielg5072 Ouais, c'est ce qu'on appelle une traduction littérale, mot à mot et parfois c'est impossible pour quelq'un qui ne parle pas français depuis l'enfance de savoir si c'est correct.... 'Boy', ça pourrait même être ressenti comme un relent de colonialisme paternaliste, à éviter absolument 😱...❕ Il vaut mieux utiliser 'Reverso Context' (à mon avis) pour ce genre de traduction de la langue vernaculaire. On y voit des exemples de traduction en contexte càd avec des extraits de textes de la langue de départ et leurs traductions ce qui permet de mieux choisir. Un garçon de café c'est bien sûr un 'waiter' ou plus spécifiquement un 'coffee-shop-guy'. Quant au 'petit noir', l'application comprend bien que c'est un 'coffee' ou mieux un 'expresso'. J'ai quand même remarqué qu'avec un peu d'IA intégrée dans 'Google Traduction ', les résultats sont de plus en plus pertinents pour ce type de traduction depuis quelques temps.
@@BertrandNelson-Paris Exactement. Surtout en Amérique. Je ne sais pas si dans tous les pays de langue anglaise, le mot enfantin boy, est si connoté.
@@danielg5072 Salut. On est bien d'accord que ce n'est pas du côté enfantin de ‹boy› dont je parlais mais plutôt de la façon de s'adresser aux domestiques locaux (chaque famille avait son 'boy', on parlait plus rarement de ses boys au pluriel comme si le boy était un accessoire essentiel) ou même aux Inconnus dans la rue que les expatriés dans les colonies utilisaient. C'était surtout réducteur car tout ces 'indigènes' étaient interpelés par 'boy', ce qui annihilait l'individu, la personnalité (car même si on peut se dire que ça remplaçait 'Monsieur', la politesse s'arrêtait là, pas de patronyme ou de prénom demandés).
That's perfect because I'll be going next month and all I like and drink is strong coffee..thanks for confirming 🙂
Wonderful posting! Very helpful, merci!
Always lots of pertinent info. Always interesting. Thanks for your time, Diane!
Dear Diane. Another stellar post. Your energy and content is so enjoyable. Please keep up your work. Joe.
I wish I had seen your videos many years ago before my first trips to France. Your advice still matches everything that I experienced. Love your channel.
Loved this video Diane. Your content is very simply yet detailed and authentic as always. I remember how getting a café and a newspaper, just sitting in a terrasse was the first thing I did after quarentine ended, god did I miss that ! I miss it now too, because I am in North America, it's the little pleasures that I would love to get back too. I am sure they are such small things that you miss about America too, so you might understand.
I watched this while drinking a cup of coffee. Perfect!☕️
This was a great video - REALLY helpful!
Very helpful, Diane!
Thanks for clarifying these details.
Thank you,Diane, for another excellent, informative podcast! I love the culture of sitting down to enjoy the coffee and savour the moment
Glad you enjoyed it!
Les cafés gourmands = la vie :D
Diane, thanks for another lovely video, and as someone else posted below, I'm always in awe of your flawless, glowing complexion
You're very welcome and thanks for your kind compliment ;-)
Thank you! This was so helpful 💕
I love this video
Thanks for the explanation. Coming to Avignon next month.
Thats a great vid. Your enthusiasm is awesome
So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you! 🙏
So helpful thank You!!!
very helpful! Merci!!
Most helpful!
❤️ Diane, you are definitely doing a good job as the ambassadress of french culture in the States !!!
Oh thank you!
Merci’! This was very helpful!
I'm so glad!
Ooh! Noisette! I'm going to try that as well as the gourmand. Take care Diane. 🙂
" Une noisette " is an espresso with a drop of milk.
I was in Avignon and loved the café culture ! One thing I would note when sitting down on a café terrace, especially in an area where there are multiple cafés and restaurants, make sure you are sitting in the designated area for the specific café. There can be many tables and chairs close to each other that have different designs, so ensure you’re sitting in the right place to be served from it.
LOL
This is sooooo helpful
So glad, thanks for watching!
I love café with either a limoncello or pastis on the side- the flavors complement each other. My husband and I love café culture. Salut from Montpellier :)
When I was young, admittedly an awfully long time ago, cafe au lait was always on the menu. Also, everyone used to get a little coffee dripper above their cup. I think it was called a cafe filtre and it was great fun to play with while sitting in a street cafe.
Diane, enjoyed this content!! I did note that you didn't mention those morning places (cafes) that let you stand and have your coffee at the bar. Seems as if a lot of French folks do this, perhaps on their way to work.
Hope you are doing well.
Thank you for another wonderfully educational video. 👍. Merci Beaucoup ❤💐👌
My pleasure!
Bonjour to you lovely lady!
Merci beaucoup.
I appreciate you so much ! I’m hoping to come in April 23 🙏🏼
Have a great trip!
Thank you. Great tips. Last year when visiting I found that most places also offer a double espresso that were 1½ times the price. (Once it was only 1.1 times.) Or a large (grande cafe') also hit the spot for me.
"tipping is not necessary" :)
LOL! I speak French but ordering coffee has certainly become as complicated as the menu. I'll have to write this down and refer to it when I'm travelling. Thanks - very helpful.
I lived in France during my teenage years so I speak French fluently. Didn't drink coffee then but now I have been back to France numerous times as an adult, I feel intimidated to go to a Cafe or Brasserie to order a cup of coffee. That's why I prefer Starbucks.
I enjoy your videos
Thanks so much!
Great video again. Thanks for explaining all of this it is very helpful. I'm going to bookmark this so I can show it to friends when they come to visit.
A couple of things I've found here in Biarritz when I go to a café for a café.
At some cafes if you sit outside on the terrace they will ask you to pay when they bring your order, but will expect you to pay afterwards if you are inside.
Most cafes here will bring l'addition when they bring your order so I ask je voudrais payer when I want to pay (hope that is correct).
So glad it was helpful!!
You can also ask for a "double express(o)" = same as expresso, but a big cup.
It seems some names might depend on the region or the place ; for instance I had nerver heard "noisette".
I lived in Italy several years in the late 1980's and the coffee culture there was similar to France. It is interesting that the coffee choices you mentioned, with the exception of "un Americano," are similar to those in Italy. A difference between France and Italy was most Italians frequented a coffee bar, not a cafe. As in France, a coffee bar offered a selection of pastries or bruschetto (pizza crust with tomato sauce) for breakfast. Later In the day, they might offer a limited number of snacks or pannini (sandwiches) around lunch time. It was also common for them to serve ice-cream and wonderful desserts to enjoy with an afternoon cup of coffee.
One significant difference was all coffee bars required patrons to order at the cashier and pre-pay. I remember my first few times entering a bar and attempting to order from the barista and was either ignored, or had an impatient barista tell me to go to the cassa (cashier)! The cashier took the order and payment then gave the patron a receipt with the order to place on the bar. The barista looked at the receipt, tore it, then made the coffee and served it with a small glass of mineral water. There were no free chocolates or snacks as in France! In those days, it was customary for the patron to leave a Lire 100 coin on the bar for a small tip.
I wish I drank coffee now so I could try out the vocab! Cool video Diane. I love your studio space and its lighting.
What's the name of the animated text you use?
Hi Alex, thanks so much!
Do you mean the title animation? That's a Premiere preset downloaded from Storyblocks called Dynamic Opener Slideshow SB. If you mean the regular text on screen it's custom in After Effects. Montserrat font in black with glow and wiggle effects.
Merci Diane! Can you please make a video about restaurants too? 🇨🇵❤️💯
Although I do enjoy having an expresso in France (my own country), I must admit that the Italian surpass us by several leagues as far as coffee is concerned. Of course, the Italian "Espresso" is stronger than the French "expresso" and it comes in a smaller quantity. But any Italian "barista" (any Italian barman) will be able to explain you the respective qualities of each kind of coffee according to their geographical origin, its texture in your mouth, the different aromas that you’re going to taste just as a wine expert would present a rare bottle... And moreover, the Italian barista shall remember your usual orders and bring you spontaneously your prefered brand of coffee on your next visit to his bar...
I don’t think that we have such professionals in our French cafés ...
T'es malade...? Bien sûr qu'on a de bons torréfacteurs... omg t'as avalé le complexe d'inferiorité des italiens ou quoi ?😅
Good tips. We almost always order a grande creme - as the cafe creme is normally too petite for the North American coffee drinker. And "grande" is still 8-10 oz. Definitely not a Starbucks Grande!
Grand*. "Café" is masculine :)
Wait please! About the coffee with the wiped cream on top! How do u drink / eat that?! Do u stir the crème with the coffee and drink it or do u eat the cream with the long spoon, then drive the coffee or u just sip the whole thing leaving a big crène mark on ur moustache ?! Sorry, this question might sound funny 😄, but am serious!! Lol 😂.
You eat the cream with a spoon then you drink the cofee or you stir the cream when there is only 1/4 left.
At the Arts et Métiers in the Marais, I spent many a morning sipping a café crème and maybe a croissant but mainly watching people. The Métro exits there and the motorized scooters (what are they called?) zip in and out, daring the Ubers to follow. It's just a great place to relax. Off the R. de Chateaudun just behind Notre Dame de Lorette is a tiny café, I forget the name, where the café double (is that right?) is a wake-up and the patissieries are wonderful.
Hi Diane,
Just found your channel a few days ago and love it! Maybe good to mention to your viewers about tipping in France, that most places, in general include a 15 percent tip to the serveur/euse to the bill.. to check for this, you can look for the 'service compris' written on it, If you don't see that, you can ask the person waiting on you if the service is included.. Rounding up is nice or a few coins.. If it's a place I go back to frequently, I usuing leave a euro or two/restaurant, when I have received good service. Thanks for your videos..
Welcome!
I’m so glad you’ve made this video. I have also wondered the difference between un cafe au lait and cafe crème…?
Café Crème and Café au Lait are pretty similar in that they are both coffee with warm/steamed milk. Café au lait is typically made and drunk at home, as / with breakfast. Its basically a small cereal bowl of coffee and milk. It’s not offered at cafés very often.
Instead, café crème is the closest equivalent in a café, but much smaller than a café au lait that one might make at home. The cup is a bit bigger than an espresso cup, but not much - maybe the equivalent to a double espresso sized cup. Many cafés will also offer un grand café crème which is a bit larger, but still maybe half the size of an average US coffee mug.
@@thevaughntestkitchen6045 thanks for the detailed response. Whenever I’m in Paris, I’ve asked for un cafe au lait in a coffee shop and have received what looks like un cafe creme. Maybe they just know what I mean and always serve me the right coffee haha. When I go back, I will pay attention to the menu and see what it says. 😬
Café gourmand is also a great goûter option!
@@MichaelTheophilus906 the former 😉
People used to "faire un canard" (make a duck) when drinking coffee. This means holding a sugar cube (usually the longer type) in your coffee, wait until the liquid sip up the cube and eat the cube.
You can also add some strong alcohol into your empty espresso cup (thus after you've drunk your coffee) and drink it like this. Usually it's something along the line of cognac, Armagnac...
"petit canard" is still a thing a lot of people do at dinners in the countryside. Usually with plum, apple or pear alcohol.
I think I mentioned this in comments to some other of your excellent videos, but here it goes anyway: "my" cafe in Paris (in '04, I was doing a six-months IT consulting stint at SNCF) had no ashtrays, although smoking was allowed and very much done. When I asked, the barkeep gestured expansively at the floor, which was, indeed, covered in ash and cigarette butts. I never got used to is and carried a little "travel" ashtray with tight cover.
Thank you so much for this. We are on our way to Paris in 2 weeks and this will be helpful. Please do a video about going to a brocante, vide grenier, marche au puce. Do people "wheel and deal" like they do here in the US? How do you ask the price, how do you say "No thank you, it is nice but too much for me."
If it's not a shop but a marché or a vide grenier, you can negotiate. You should even if you want to pay a fair price. However, if the price is way to much, it means either that you don't have a good idea of the price or this person is trying to take advantage of the fact you are a tourist. Then the "No thank you, it is nice but too much for me." is appropriate.
Your husband and you are a beautiful couple 💕💕
Bistro, And Bonjour madame or Bonjour monsieur. Only "Bonjour" is not polite. Or you "sing" Bonjour 🙂 with a million dollar smile. Thats ok too. And tip 15%!
Thks a lot, another right-on-the-point- video. I agree : looking for a good tea ? Avoid cafés : you'll get an ...ahem... sachet beverage ...Though in a chic brasserie, you might have a choice of perhaps 2 or 3 better slightly brands. In good restaurants nowdays, the waiter opens a wooden cask with a large choice of teas (and herb teas) sachets. Only in high-class restaurants, or at the Riz, is tea brewed and served in a tea-pot with fresh leaves. . In salons de thé ( tea rooms), it'll be the same, no sachets. Granted, tea rooms haben't got generous opening hours. Finally, you'd be surprised how much we French adore tisanes/infusions (herb teas), especially our favourite, deliciously refreshing and relaxing Verbena (Verveine). "La tisane du soir" , avec du miel,(the evening herb tea with honey)is a sacred ritual in many families at home. In the countryside it's grown in the garden. Ah, the taste of freshly cut verbena !
Even in the city some people grow them on balconies.
Bonjour!
Bonjour ;-)
Thanks for mentioning “un noisette!!” I loved that expression as it simplified conveying what I wanted exactly, instead of saying « un café avec un petit goût de lait. »
Great overview of coffees as well as the different settings in which to enjoy the French cafe experience.
On a personal note… »Starbucks « is in France??!!! Are you kidding me? Lavaza Vs Starbucks? No comparison!!
Absolutely love your channel…cheers
Oh yes, Starbucks is popping up more and more these days! Glad you enjoyed the video ;-)
I love this video. Do you know if that cafe in Before Sunset is an actual cafe? I thought that place was so charming.
It is! It's Le Pure Café, 14 rue Jean Macé. ☺
Very good video. 🙂
Just be careful when asking for an americano as you might get an aperitif (americano) instead of a coffee (café américain ou allongé)
Generally : bar or café bar shops
Thanks for the wonderful series!
I spent a lot of time in Paris in 1990's and 2000's. Back then different prices were charged for coffee depending on where you were served. Cheapest was inside standing at the bar, then seated indoors, finally the most expensive was coffee seated outside on the terrace. Is this pricing structure still the norm?
@@micade2518 That and renting the outside area. Getting a piece of sidewalk is EXPENSIVE for businesses. City authorities make bank on that.
I find coffee places in the U.S. to be very sad. Most everyone is looking down at their phones, even in groups. This is something we all do at home. It seems such a waste to copy the same behavior out among people. Years ago it wasn't like this and even though it's not like everyone was talking with everyone there was a sense of community and thoughtfulness at having this shared experience even in silence. Today everyone seems addicted to being online. I remember going to Philz and there was a public table with about 5 people on their phones and there was an older person sitting there all alone just looking so lost. I wish someone at her table had put down the phone and talked with her. No one does that anymore because socializing among strangers is not encouraged very much.
In France politeness requires that you leave your phone aside when sharing a coffee or a meal; but we are unfortunately not totally safe from the cell phone addiction as well. I actually went to a restaurant in the south of France last summer where it was mandatory to leave your cell phone in a deposit box at the entrance; what a great idea!
@@jfrancobelge I could not agree more! I always think if I owned a cafe I would do the same. Politeness is a tricky thing in America. People often neglect to say hello, thank you or you're welcome. They're most certainly not going to put their phones aside. Addiction is truly the right word.
Quick tip if you're in the North of France (specifically Lille and its metropolitan area) although Chicory is not always written down on the menu it tends to be on stock and on offer.
Northern France is a place where chicory on its own is appreciated and chicory based hot drinks concotions can be on offer, but sometimes the staff forgets to put it on the menu while they actually DO have it on offer.
Soooo if you feel like trying chichory instead while in Lille even if it's not on the menu DO NOT hesitate to ask it might still be on offer.
Ah!
I asked above about chicory before reading all comments.
Chicory coffee is fairly common in Louisiana and S.E. Texas and I enjoy it very much.
Good to know about availability in Lille.
@@willbass2869 given the amount of French immigrants in Louisianna that were historically from Northern France and of Picard origin at that I was not too too surprised when I saw some chicory while I was there indeed.
But yeah if you go anywhere near the Belgium border in France you'll find Chicory not just in the gorcery stores but also on offer in local cafés.
Beurk, c'est juste bon pour tremper avec du maroilles au petit déjeuner !
C'est d'un autre âge.
Great video TY. I am wondering if cafes have dairy free options if I want milk in my coffee?
Hello Mrs. Dian. Love ur videos. Is Dècafe widely available in the cafes ? Or is it served only in the hotels ? Merci. bien.
You can definitely get decaf. Not uncommon at all.
"Bistrot" comes from the Russian word meaning "quick".
Super interesting, thank you! 🙏
This dates back to the period when Russian cavalry troops shortly occupied Paris when Napoleon fell for the first time in 1814. The soldiers naturally attended drinking establishments where they wanted to be served quickly... быстро, bistro... This is how the French associated this Russian word with these drinking places that became this" so French" institution, the bistrot as we write it in French - though I've seen bistro without the final t as well. This is a small world.
In May and June this year I visited Edinburgh, London, and Paris. I was so surprised to be unable to find what I call “regular coffee” here in the US (brewed coffee). The only place that had it was Starbucks, and I don’t like their coffee. 😪
Bonjour, Diane. J'aime café francais! It's like rocket fuel.
Try Cuban coffee in Miami. You'll grow hair on your chest. Don Johnson was filming Miami Vice and tried Cuban coffee every afternoon as a pick me up. He said it was better than cocaine.
Hello Diane, as a Dunkin Donuts devotee, I greatly appreciate & enjoy this lesson in French coffee culture. By the way, have you seen any DD anywhere, as I'm not a Starbucks fan? 😊
Hey there. DD doesn't exist in France. Although chains like Starbucks do exist, the French like smaller independent places and so the chains have really had to fight in order to find a place here.
Alex
So glad it was helpful! As Alex said, no DD, but I'd recommend seeking out local coffee shops (usually in medium/large towns) for quality coffee (or coffee to go) or hit up one of the most crowded cafes if you'd like to sit down for a little while. The locals usually know where to go.
Bonjour Diana
Quelques commentaires sur le café.
Si le café n a pas de goût et est très fade on appelle ça de la lavasse ou encore du jus de chaussette. Ce sont des mots populaires. Pour ma part quand je vais dans un café j aime bien qu il y ait aussi le journal du jour.
C est que le mot café désigne le lieu et la boisson elle même. Un mot à double sens
Bon après midi à vous. Michel
Comme le cafe dans les chaine restaurants en Amerique, Ils sont tous "jus de chaussette" je trouve. Dans les chic restaurants ils ont de tres bon cafe.
Excellent episode, thanks! How do you ask for a discounted senior citizen coffee?
Why would it be discounted? I think you would just ask for a coffee. I don’t think they do discounts.
Why would being older mean the value of the coffee is decreased?... We discount housing or public transport for older folk, to compensate for a loss of autonomy. We don't discount people's fun expenses...
Bonjour Diane,
Do the French serve chicory coffee?
It's kinda a thing in southern Louisiana and southeast Texas. Several different companies roast, grind and package it for retail sale and of course the New Orleans coffee spot 'Cafe du Monde' has their favorite chicory & coffee to go with beignets.
The chicory really reduces the acidity of regular coffee and 'ups' the fullness of the brew. Makes for a very dark but smooth drink (& less caffeine).
Thanks and all the best.
Hi Will, you can definitely find it at regular grocery stores but I can't say I have seen it too often on cafe/restaurant menus. I think places do serve it though but you'd have to ask. I bought some a couple of months ago and shared my thoughts in my Insta stories and a bunch of people told me about Cafe du Monde. So cool you can get it in Louisiana. I have to go one day for those world famous beignets!
You will find chicory a lot in a region called "Hauts de France", at the very north of the country, along the Belgian border (cities like Lille, Amiens, Dunkirk). Even if they don't list it, they offer it, you just need to ask. It's still very popular with older folk.
Do they have French press coffee
Where would you need to go to find different roasts and flavors, such as many US coffee shops have (ie. dedicated coffee shops)? Even Starbucks here has Blond, Medium, and Dark roast on the menu.
The last time I went to France I was not a coffee drinker, though I am now. However, I can confirm that the French waiters are just a little shocked when you ask them for diet cola!
Thank you for the video!
Not anymore - Coke Zero and Diet Coke sell more than regular Coke these days!
I love your videos. I’m sorry but I don’t remember if you have kids or have gone thru maternity or delivered in France . Can you do a video on that and like schools (the system, types of schools etc) and daycare or stuff like that?
Hi there, we don't have children.
As a french man I always were intimidated by french cafes, I think that's why US chains are very popular in France, because they are more straightforward and more welcoming (overall). Thanks it was informative :)
Very interesting! What specifically intimidates you about French cafes?
@@OuiInFrance I think it might be because growing up there I was never intiated to the french way of life, like my parents would never go to cafes with me or very french things, and I never knew the rules, which in France are very implicit, compared to anglo-saxons countries. I was shocked when I went to the US for the first time, by being greeted in a store "How you doing today sir?" with a giant smile. I thought the guy was befriending me haha! In France I would avoid any store as much as I could, because I would not feel welcome. But then again my uobringing was a bit weird, and not very traditional french so I felt a bit less french. I'm moving back to France soon after living in the US for around 7 years. My vision is more american now, and I appreciate the best of both cultures. US wins on the hospitality side of things, friendliness, non-threatening (overall). I am also glad to go back to France for some quality aspects, but I know that the mentality will be frustrating at some point, and things that are natural in the US will be less natural there. In a nutshell in the US rules are explained and written down so everybody knows what to expect, prety much, in France they are more implicit and we are expected to know them, or risk being looked down or scoffed at. That's my experience and judgments, I will give it another try. I also think that due to the french history of suspicion, treasons, collaborating, authoritarian rulers, the people has been abused many times, and that's why we have a hard time really cheering up, being open with one another, trusting etc... History must have engraved some deep seated beliefs and which might explain our suspiciousness of others, which is at the root of our seemingly unfriendlisness (compared to the US of course). It's up to me and all of us to rebuild trust and work toward that path and not add to the angry feelings, judgments etc... One saying in France is "trop bon, trop con" which means "if you are too nice/kind, then you are stupid because people will take advntage of you", that's something I heard all my life. And it is engrained in the French psyche. In the US, to be kind and nice is very encouraged and celebrated as a virtue. In France we are taught to be on guard and too never really trust our neighbors. Of course not everybody is like that but it is in the air. These are my personal relections, and I'm open to change that. I hope you have a good experience in France. I enjoy watching your videos, they help me see France and learn things I should have learned ages ago haha!
Bonjour
For me, if you want better tasting coffee than Paris go to Switzerland
How would you ask for a weak or half strength coffee s'il vous plait?
Hi. A question please : is Décaf is quite popular and available in almost every cafe in France ? Because I’ve heard that, in general it’s served only in 5 star hotels ?! 😳. Merciiiii
It's availlable in most places, unless you go at a café in a lost village or something, and even then.
I don't usually tip. When I do, it's to express unusual gratitude: there was an accident, the food was better than expected, the waiter was exceptionally kind, I was rude for the wrong reason. If I'm just happy, I'll make an effort to come back, that's all. And I'm not the only one doing this; tipping isn't just optional, it's very meaningful to me so it might not be uncommon but not usual either, it definitely shouldn't be automatic in my opinion (actually i find automatic tipping is unfriendly, I don't like this blind standard).
Cafés don’t ever have alternative milks as they might at Starbucks so if you’re lactose intolerant beware. Also tea and hot chocolate for whatever reason cost a lot around 5€. Tea is cheap so I’m not sure why. Go have a cafe in a cafe and watch the world go by!
What´s the difference between "café au lait" and the "café creme" you mentioned?
Italians would say Latte and Capuccino. Difference is café au lait is coffee with milk. Café crème is only the foam made from hot milk mixed added on the top of the expresso
Hi Diane! Thank you for your videos. I have a question about French cafes. Here in Australia, it is normal to enter the cafe, go to the counter, order and pay for it up front before being seated and enjoying your order. Is it the other way around in France? Take a seat, order and pay at your table? ... what is the custom in a typical French cafe? ☕
For restaurants and cafés we don't pay upfront. You eat, you drink and before leaving you ask for the bill. "L'addition s'il vous plaît."
@@jeanmariehidalgo7701 Thank you! ☺
As mentioned above, if you seat outside on the terrace, they will bring your cafe with the bill and expect you to pay in case you want to leave and no one is around.
How do you order a Cortado, I'm guessing it's between a noisette and a cafe creme. It's equal parts, 2 shots of espresso and equal parts steamed whole milk>
I'd probably just ask for a latte at a regular cafe. A specialty coffee shop in a bigger city might be able to customize but cafes generally have standard drink options. In smaller towns you won't find coffee shops specifically.
it's in french law that a glass of water is to be made available for free with coffee or ice cream
Is café au lait a thing too?