Think Going to Starbucks in Paris Is Absurd? This One Might Change Your Mind
Starbucks Capucine sits on the majestic Boulevard des Capucines, one of the most glamorous locations in Paris near the beautiful Opéra Garnier (3 min walk). This isn’t your average Starbucks coffee shop. It’s set inside a former 19th-century bank, and the building itself is a showstopper!
This Starbucks is in the historic building L’Hôtel des Deux Phares in the 9th arrondissement. The building dates back to the late 19th century and has the grand architectural style of that era. It was part of the wave of development during Haussmann’s transformation of Paris focused on luxury and refinement.
It first opened its doors as a Starbucks store in June 2006. In June 2017, Starbucks France unveiled the newly-refurbished Boulevard des Capucines Starbucks Store following extensive design work to restore some of the building’s historic features.
Walking into Starbucks Capucine is like stepping into a piece of Parisian history – just without the velvet ropes and museum signs!
The first thing that catches your eye is the ceiling. It’s a masterpiece of 19th-century art, with beautiful gold accents and murals that look like something straight out of a grand palace.
And then there’s the central showstopper: the stunning steel-and-glass roof above the old courtyard. It floods the space with light during the day and makes everything feel open and airy while still retaining the building’s historic elegance.
Soft light filters through elegant chandeliers, giving the space a warm golden glow. The walls are a striking powder blue, framed by sophisticated gilded moldings. Marble columns rise toward the ceiling with black-and-gold detailing that adds a dramatic touch.
Around you, customers sip their coffee surrounded by leafy plants (including Arabica Pika coffee plants used for the espresso), elegant seating, and sleek, modern tables that somehow don’t feel out of place in this incredible setting.
One corner has a long communal table where laptops and coffee cups share space. Another area is more intimate, with comfy sofas and low lighting ideal for quiet conversations.
Every detail has been thought through, from the parquet floors to the brass accents on the railings. It’s the kind of place where you’d order a latte and find yourself lingering, drawn in by the beauty around you.
So even if Starbucks isn’t your usual choice and feels like the last place you’d visit in Paris, this location has a way of winning you over. The grandeur of the space, with its gilded details and historic charm, feels worlds away from the typical coffee chain atmosphere.