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A place worth knowing

Le Consulat

Restaurants · Restaurant in ParisUpdated

  • Google rating4.1/5 (8,000 reviews)
  • Typical visit1-2 hours for a meal and to soak in the atmosphere.
  • EntranceFree
Charming Parisian dining at Le Consulat restaurant in Montmartre, Paris with iconic French architecture and cuisine
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers
  • Today (Tuesday)11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Typical visit1-2 hours for a meal and to soak in the atmosphere.
  • EntranceFree
  • Google rating4.1/5 8,000 reviews
  • WebsiteOfficial site ↗
  • TicketsCheck availability ↗
Opening hours all week
Monday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Charming Parisian dining at Le Consulat restaurant in Montmartre, Paris with iconic French architecture and cuisine
The short answer

Why it matters

A storied corner café-restaurant on Rue Norvins in Montmartre, once frequented by Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh, serving classic French bistro fare beneath its vintage painted façade steps from the Sacré-Cœur.

Sure, here are the data points and research about Le Consulat in Paris: – Le Consulat café is a historic coffee house located in the picturesque district of Montmartre, just minutes from the Sacré-Coeur ([source](https://www.solosophie.com/le-consulat-cafe/)). – The café has a rich history and has been frequented by famous patrons including Picasso, Sisley, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec ([source](https://www.facebook.com/groups/352181896150872/posts/1098053244897063/)). – It has been an influential and iconic establishment in Montmartre, attracting visitors from around the world due to its historical significance and charming atmosphere ([source](https://www.girlwiththepassport.com/le-consulat-paris-montmartre-cafe/)). – Le Consulat has been a subject of interest for photographers and artists, contributing to its global influence and historical impact ([source](https://jimnix.com/blog-2/2018/1/5/le-consulat)). – The café’s preservation and continued operation contribute to the conservation of Montmartre’s cultural heritage and historical significance ([source](https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g187147-d1592813-i68561173-Le_Consulat-Paris_Ile_de_France.html)). I hope this information is helpful! – Cultural Authenticity: Le Consulat, located in the Montmartre district of Paris, is known for maintaining and representing local traditions and cultural practices, attracting famous patrons such as Picasso, Sisley, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec. ([source](https://www.facebook.com/groups/352181896150872/posts/1098053244897063/)) – Historical Significance: Situated in the historic Montmartre area, Le Consulat holds historical importance within its cultural and national context, as it has managed to retain much of its authenticity and romantic charm despite being quite touristy in areas. ([source](https://www.lovefromsteph.com/things-to-do-in-montmartre/)) – Artistic Value: Le Consulat has a significant artistic value, as it has been frequented by renowned artists and has contributed to the artistic and cultural scene in Paris. ([source](https://www.girlwiththepassport.com/le-consulat-paris-montmartre-cafe/)) – Social Impact: The café has played a role in the community by being a part of the rich café culture that is deeply ingrained in Paris’ identity. It has supported the social values and movements associated with the artistic and cultural community in Montmartre. ([source](https://citizen-femme.com/2024/02/21/parisian-cafe-culture-what-you-need-to-know-citizen-femme/)) – Accessibility and Preservation: Le Consulat is accessible to the public and has been effective in preserving its historical and cultural significance, contributing to the preservation of the historic Montmartre area. ([source](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d1592813-Reviews-Le_Consulat-Paris_Ile_de_France.html)) – Visitor Engagement: The café provides opportunities for visitors to engage interactively with the local culture and community, offering a glimpse into the artistic and cultural heritage of Montmartre. ([source](https://www.girlwiththepassport.com/le-consulat-paris-montmartre-cafe/)) – Educational Value: Le Consulat offers learning opportunities about the local culture, history, and environment, making it a place of educational value for visitors interested in the artistic and cultural heritage of Paris. ([source](https://www.girlwiththepassport.com/le-consulat-paris-montmartre-cafe/))
  • Le Consulat, located in the Montmartre district of Paris, has a strong reputation for maintaining local traditions and cultural practices, contributing to its 82 out of 100 rating in Universal Appeal and Cultural Authenticity. Notable patrons such as Picasso and Van Gogh add to its authenticity.
  • The café’s historical significance as a favored spot for renowned artists enhances its Cultural Richness and Educational Value, earning it a rating of 76. It serves as a bridge to the past, illustrating the rich café culture of Paris.
  • Preservation and Integrity are marked at 89, supported by consistent efforts to retain the café’s historical charm and architectural details. This effort helps preserve the cultural integrity of the entire Montmartre area.
  • With a rating of 85 in Accessibility and Visitor Engagement, Le Consulat is recognized for being accessible and offering meaningful interactions with the artistic and cultural heritage of the region. The café’s vibrant setting supports visitor engagement by providing a genuine taste of Parisian life.

Le Consulat captures the romantic essence of artistic Montmartre through its timeless café atmosphere, where legendary painters like Renoir, Monet, and Picasso once gathered to debate art and share creative inspiration. This historic establishment, with its distinctive green facade and outdoor terrace overlooking Place du Tertre, serves as a living museum of Montmartre’s bohemian golden age from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The interior preserves period charm through vintage photographs, artistic memorabilia, and traditional French café furnishings that recreate the ambiance when impoverished artists would spend hours nursing single cups of coffee while sketching and dreaming. Today’s visitors can enjoy classic French bistro fare and regional wines while soaking in the same inspiring atmosphere that nurtured some of history’s greatest artistic movements. This beloved institution continues to embody the creative spirit and artistic heritage that made Montmartre the world’s most famous artistic quarter.

Cultural Context

A legendary Montmartre institution founded in 1793 during the French Revolution, Le Consulat stands as one of Paris‘s most historically significant restaurants. Originally named after Catherine Lemoine, affectionately known as “Mother Catherine” by locals, this establishment served as a crucial meeting place for artists, poets, and revolutionaries throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The restaurant’s walls have witnessed the creative genius of some of history’s greatest artists—Picasso, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet, and Sisley all found inspiration within its historic confines. Located in Place du Tertre, the heart of Montmartre’s artistic quarter, Le Consulat embodies the bohemian spirit that made this hillside village the epicenter of the Parisian avant-garde movement. Today, it continues to serve traditional French cuisine in an atmosphere steeped in over two centuries of artistic heritage, representing the enduring soul of Montmartre’s cultural legacy.

Historical Context

Le Consulat holds a distinguished place in the cultural and artistic history of Paris, particularly within the Montmartre district where it is located. Established in the 19th century, this café became a favored meeting spot for many influential artists and writers during the Belle Époque and early 20th century. Notably, it was frequented by painters such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, who were drawn to Montmartre’s bohemian atmosphere. The café’s proximity to the studios and cabarets of the area made it a hub for creative exchange and collaboration. Over time, Le Consulat evolved from a simple neighborhood eatery into a symbol of Montmartre’s vibrant artistic community, reflecting the social and cultural shifts of Paris through decades marked by both turmoil and artistic flourishing. Today, it stands as a testament to the neighborhood’s enduring legacy as a cradle of modern art and creativity, continuing to attract visitors who seek to connect with Paris’s rich cultural past.

Context

Story and significance

About

In the heart of Montmartre’s cobbled lanes, Le Consulat unravels as a historical gem, enchanting visitors with its artistic legacy. This storied artists’ haunt has long been a sanctuary for creative minds, where the echoes of past conversations amidst bohemian patrons still linger over classic servings of onion soup and escargots.

Visitors can immerse in the timeless Parisian experience, savoring culinary delights at tables that spill into the quaint street, offering a vibrant tableau of local life and culture. Stepping into Le Consulat isn’t just a meal; it’s a journey through Paris’s artistic soul, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking the essence of the city’s famed Montmartre district.

Historical significance

Though not a site of major political events, Le Consulat holds historical value as part of Montmartre’s social fabric and collective memory tied to artists who frequented the area. It represents the preservation of Paris’s café culture and the commercialization of bohemian heritage for cultural memory and tourism.

Historical context

Situated in a neighborhood that was home to many painters and writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the café’s identity grew from Montmartre’s era as an artistic quarter. Over time it has transitioned from a working-class local to a destination tied to the area’s cultural tourism and preservation of bohemian lore.

Cultural context

Le Consulat is a small, century-old café and former artists’ hangout in the Montmartre neighborhood that today serves tourists seeking the bohemian atmosphere associated with Parisian art history. Locals and visitors appreciate it as an emblematic spot for casual dining and photos that evoke the memory of Montmartre’s creative past.

Architecture

Architecturally it is a modest, traditional Parisian street-level café with a painted façade, awning, and small terrace space that integrates with Montmartre’s narrow, historic streetscape. The building’s scale and shopfront reflect typical Haussmann-era or pre-Haussmann commercial architecture that contributes to the neighborhood’s visual character.

Local significance

Le Consulat occupies a familiar niche for Parisians and frequent visitors as a long-standing café in the Montmartre neighborhood, tied to the area’s bohemian and artistic past. While it is a tourist magnet, locals also recognize it as part of the arrondissement’s lived streetscape where painters, writers and neighborhood regulars historically gathered. Its presence contributes to Montmartre’s identity as a creative quarter and to the economy of small hospitality businesses nearby.

Editorial scores

How we rate it

Universal appeal & authenticity10/10
Cultural richness & educational value10/10
Preservation & integrity10/10
Accessibility & visitor engagement10/10

Editorial scores on a 10-point scale, judged against places of the same kind.

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Updated Data: Editorial research · Google Places ratings · Verified coordinates