Cafe de Flore, located on Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris, is one of the oldest cafes and was home to renowned literary icons in the past whose memories live on in the hearts of the French. Admittedly, it appears to be a must-visit place in numerous Parisian travel guides until today for all who are inquisitive about fashion, literature, and art.
Cafe de Flore is a well-known coffee house in Paris and also a film that served to make a big hit in the French industry.
1. History
Although the day of its remarkable existence is uncertain, it is believed to date back to 1887-the day it was born. Since its establishment, Les Deux Magots has proven to be an everlasting companion.
Guillaume Apollinaire, the foremost poet of the twentieth century and widely regarded forefather of Surrealism, purchased the premises around 1913 and later transformed them to bring in new changes, such as the conversion of the ground floor of Le Flore into a newsroom, “Les soirées de Paris.”
2. The Nationalist Group: Far-Right
After exactly 10 years of its presence, this place was seen to be profound in the public eye. Saint-Germain-des-Prés’ surroundings were a fortress of French action, extreme-right, and nationalist groups. Just before the beginning of the 20th century, Le Flore was accommodated by Charles Maurras and his acolytes. It was here (first floor) that they began the issue of the monthly bulletin of the French action in 1899.
3. Surrealists Post-War
It was only towards the end of World War I that Le Café de Flore emerged to fascinate the artists. It became an everyday ritual for Guillaume Apollinaire to settle near the heater, spend the rest of the day writing his books, and have some of his friends: André Breton, Paul Réverdy, Louis Aragon, and Paul Éluard, accompany him during the day.
Although Montparnasse and Montmartre are the central regions of Parisian culture, it is believed that the “surrealist revolution” found its life next to rue de Grenelle in the 1920s.
Having the Nazi regime live on brought in profuse creative thinkers, including popular cinephiles like Sophia Coppola, Quentin Tarantino and Brigitte Bardot, and sartorialists like Yves Saint Laurent, Paco Rabanne and Givenchy, who all found their refuge here.
4. The Golden Age Of Café de Flore
A completely different transformation hit the café towards the end of 1930. In 1939, a brighter idea was hatched to install a much larger and more powerful coal-fired heater; this quickly drew the attention of popular philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, who then frequently spent time on the café’s first floor. Therefore, Jean-Paul Sartre accompanied Simone de Beauvoir in 1941 at Café de Flore, where they later proclaimed “pillars” of Flore.
The succeeding years at this spot in France saw a complete transformation in the core of Parisian culture and the intellectuals. It significantly gathered the youth who were passionate about the arts and jazz. Nevertheless, it was home to Boris Vian, Léo Ferré, and Jacques Prévert for a couple of years.
As this proves, Flore is now considered a perfect classic spot for those seeking the best coffee in Paris, France. The long and interesting history of Le Café de Flore is one of the major reasons it interests people worldwide and makes way for its popular label.
5. Café de Flore-Film
Apart from the acclaimed café in De Saint Germain, Paris. Cafe de Flore is also a developed film based in Canada. This film garnered 13 nominations for the Genie awards in 2012. This movie successfully starred the best artists of all time.
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Pascal Elso as Paul
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Jérôme Kircher as Louis
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Rosalie Fortier as Angéline
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Linda Smith as Louise Godin
In 2011 Montreal, a French- Canadian DJ, Antonie in vogue, had a romantic relationship with his girlfriend Rose (Evelyne Brochu). However, their separation from his ex-wife Carole (Helene Florent), led to his heart sinking.
On the other hand, in 1969, Paris, featuring Jacqueline (Vanessa Paradis), is deserted by her husband, who later decides to raise her child, Laurent (Marin Gerrier), ravaged by Down’s syndrome, as a single mother. This film jumps between Antoine’s story and Jacqueline’s to portray their reactions to the romantic attachments in a big trap.
The film has been awarded a couple of times. The remarkable acknowledgements are just a few examples indicating this blockbuster hit.
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Genie Awards (2012)
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Jutra Awards (2012)
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Satellite Awards (2012)
Conclusion
In addition, to the well-known fact about Café de Flore as a movie, there is also a piece composed in 2001 by British musician Matthew Herbert (Doctor Rockit), a treasure of the European Nu Jazz. Like the other jazz pieces, it restores the elegant and elitist atmospheres of the cafes in Saint-Germain-des Prés.
Nevertheless, neither of them gives up, finally, taking to the end Nikki Giovanni’s statement: “We love because it is the only true adventure.”
Last Updated on September 13, 2022 by Susanta Biswas
