7 Reasons Going to Starbucks in Paris Isn’t So Dumb After All
Most people roll their eyes at the thought of going to Starbucks in Paris. But the one on Boulevard des Capucines? It’s a different story.
Here’s why this particular Starbucks is worth your time, even in the land of café crème and Parisian terrace people-watching.
1. It’s inside a 19th-century Haussmannian bank
This isn’t a cookie-cutter chain tucked next to a train station. It’s set in a historic building from the late 1800s, L’Hôtel des Deux Phares, on one of Paris’s grandest boulevards. The stone façade alone already feels more regal than most cafés you’ll ever see.
2. The ceiling looks like it belongs in a palace
Gilded detailing. Painted murals. Sculptural accents. Most people look up and just stop for a second. You don’t expect this much art overhead while ordering a frappuccino.
3. A glass-roofed courtyard lets the light pour in
At the heart of the building is a dramatic steel-and-glass roof that covers the original courtyard. During the day, the entire café is bathed in light. It’s surprisingly serene for a Starbucks.
4. The colors and materials are pure 1800s Paris
Powder blue walls. Gold moldings. Marble columns with black detailing. It all adds up to a setting that feels more like a historic salon than a modern café chain.
5. It has real design down to the smallest detail
There’s parquet flooring. Brass railings. Leafy Arabica coffee plants. Even the furniture was chosen to suit the space: velvet sofas, sleek chairs, and polished wood tables that blend in with the building’s elegance.
6. It’s three minutes from Opéra Garnier
You’re not sipping coffee in a mall, this is Boulevard des Capucines, right in the heart of the 9th arrondissement. Palais Garnier is around the corner. Galleries Lafayette is a short walk away. You’re in the middle of beautiful Paris.
7. You can linger, not just grab and go
There’s a long communal table with power outlets for laptops. Quiet corners with low lighting and couches. It’s a place where locals hang out too, not just tourists grabbing takeaway.
Conclusion
It may have the green siren logo and the familiar drinks menu, but this isn’t your standard Starbucks. In a city that prizes beauty, this one quietly fits in, and even adds something.