Les Deux Magots, Literary coffeehouse in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France.
Les Deux Magots is a café and restaurant on Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The space features wood paneling, red leather benches along the walls, marble tables, and a terrace facing the church and square.
A fabric shop opened here in 1812 selling silk goods, named after a 17th-century comedy. After closing in 1873, the building became a coffeehouse in 1885, soon drawing writers and artists from the Left Bank.
The name comes from two Chinese merchant figures that still hang on the wall, decorating the shop that stood here before it became a coffeehouse. Guests sit on red benches or at outdoor tables watching life on the square, while waiters in traditional aprons move between marble tables inside.
The coffeehouse opens daily in the early morning and closes after midnight, with continuous service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The terrace offers good views but can get crowded in summer, especially during afternoon and evening hours.
A literary prize has been awarded here annually since 1933, honoring authors who take new directions in French literature. The jury meets directly in the coffeehouse to choose winners, continuing a tradition that ties the place to literary life.
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