Au Rocher de Cancale, Restaurant and café on Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement, Paris, France.
Au Rocher de Cancale serves traditional French cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood, particularly oysters sourced from Brittany, in a setting that blends historical decor with modern comfort along one of Paris's most animated market streets.
The establishment dates back to the 19th century and was named after the Breton town of Cancale, renowned for its oyster production, and once attracted literary figures such as Balzac who appreciated its authentic atmosphere and regional specialties.
The restaurant interior features historical murals painted by Gavarni that are classified as monuments, preserving a piece of Parisian artistic heritage while continuing to serve classic dishes like onion soup, beef tartare, and duck magret with Espelette pepper.
Reservations are recommended especially on weekends and evenings as the restaurant fills quickly, and it operates from 8 AM until midnight or later, accepting major credit cards and offering both indoor seating and a heated outdoor terrace.
The combination of Gavarni's protected murals, a continuously operating oyster bar since the 1800s, and its location on a historic market street makes Au Rocher de Cancale a rare blend of art, culinary tradition, and neighborhood authenticity in central Paris.
Location: 2nd arrondissement of Paris
Address: 78 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris
Phone: +33142335029
GPS coordinates: 48.86558,2.34717
Latest update: December 1, 2025 10:51
Paris has several dozen historic cafés that have endured centuries, retaining their original decor and unique character. These establishments, some over three hundred years old, have hosted generations of artists, writers, and thinkers, making them places for creation and intellectual discussion. Their listed facades, velvet benches, and antique mirrors today testify to an era when cafés served as important social and cultural hubs. Le Procope, founded in 1686, remains the oldest operating café in Paris and has welcomed figures such as Voltaire, Diderot, and revolutionary leaders. On Boulevard Saint-Germain, Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots have marked 20th-century literary history by hosting Sartre, Beauvoir, and Hemingway. In Montparnasse, La Rotonde gathered Picasso and Modigliani in the 1910s, while La Closerie des Lilas became a meeting point for American writers of the lost generation. More recent but equally storied, Café de la Paix near the Opera and Angelina on Rue de Rivoli continue the tradition of grand Parisian establishments where visitors come for both the decor and the cuisine.
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