French Cafe

by Marie-France Boyer

Book Overview

The French cafe epitomises the French art of living. Through its timeless glass doors float the aromas of strong coffee and black-tobacco, hot milk and fresh croissants. The cafe, open early until... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0500016224
• ISBN13: 9780500016220
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

An enticing armchair tour

Readers whose idea of a French café is (like mine was) little more than the cliché of black coffee and Le Monde at little round sidewalk tables will be very pleasantly surprised by variety revealed in this neat little book by Marie-France Boyer and photographer Eric Morin. From Paris haunts much like the stereotype, to rustic village cafes far outside the metropolis, to the retreats of artists or tradesmen, author and photographer demonstrate that the café is more than a place, but rather an intimate expression of the French lifestyle.The beautiful photos are by far the most engrossing part of this book. But the writing is valuable too, describing the golden age of French cafes, the rise of important establishments like Momus, Les Deux Garçons in Aix-en-Provence, or the Marly, and the influence of the cafes on French art and culture. And though the book's almost a decade old now, the Guide at the end should still be useful in tracking down many of the cafes featured in photo and text.In all, whether you're an experienced boulevardier, a traveler with fond memories, or just someone looking to experience French culture vicariously, "The French Café" should inspire many happy thoughts.