Café de la Paix

Café de la Paix is a coffeehouse that opened in the early 1900s inside a historic building in La Rochelle. The interior displays Empire-style woodwork, elaborately painted ceiling decorations with floral motifs, large chandeliers, and tall wall mirrors that preserve the original character of the space.

The building originated as a hospital in 1709 during an epidemic and later served as a military café from 1793. It became Café de la Paix in 1900 and received protected monument status in 1984.

The name reflects early 20th-century peace movements and the ideals of the moment when it opened. Today locals and visitors gather in the ornate rooms with their hand-painted ceiling details, using the space as a meeting point woven into the fabric of La Rochelle's daily life.

The café sits in the heart of La Rochelle and is easy to reach on foot. Wheelchair access is limited in parts of the building, so it helps to know this before visiting if you have accessibility needs.

The building houses both a historic café and the Olympia cinema under one roof, creating a dual cultural space. This arrangement lets visitors enjoy coffee and a film without leaving the same location.

Location: La Rochelle

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Address: 54, rue Chaudrier

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 07:00-22:00

Phone: +33546413979

GPS coordinates: 46.16262,-1.15227

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:01