When it comes to breakfast in Paris, it’s easy to turn into a creature of habit. Hotel breakfasts and buffets may be convenient but unless you’re staying at the likes of Hotel Meurice, they don’t offer an ambience with your morning croissant.
Many starts to our Parisian day have seen us stroll to our favourite table at Relais Odéon. Situated on boulevard st-germain at the corner of rue de l’Ancienne Comédie and opposite UGC Danton cinema, this traditional brasserie set in a contemporary décor serves a Parisian staple, le petit déjeuner parisien.
Refurbished in dark brown shades and mustard trimmings since our last visit, we note how the chairs and banquettes are so comfortable now that you want to linger over your café and watch the Parisians outside go about their morning ritual.
So what constitutes un petit déjeuner parisien?
There is a choice of hot beverages such as coffee (café), hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or tea (thé). I always order a café crème, hot and foamy. Contrary to some beliefs, café crème does not have any cream in it and is in essence a cross between a cappuccino and a caffe latte.
Jus d’orange usually comes freshly squeezed, served at room temperature with an ice cube in summer.
Croissant et confiture, a rich buttery and flakey croissant served with jam.
And a tartine, which is a thin baguette cut lengthways and buttered.
Our short stays in Paris wouldn’t be the same without starting the day in a St-Germain café whether we’re staying at Odéon Hotel or other favourites. Service is fast, attentive and always welcoming. Many plans for the day have been made over un petit déjeuner parisien, while dunking a buttered tartine into a café crème. Nothing like one of the simple pleasures that makes us feel as if we’ve become habitués of this enchanting city.
Relais Odéon
132 boulevard Saint-Germain
75006 Paris
Métro: Odéon
http://www.relaisodeon.com/
For more suggestions on where to eat in Paris, don’t miss our Paris Restaurant and Bistro Guide.
[…] Relais Odéon 132 Boulevard Saint-Germain; Tel: 01 43 29 81 80; Métro: Odéon Our regular breakfast haunt. Fast, friendly and welcoming service every time. Sit and watch the st-germain action as you dunk your tartine in a café crème. Read our review of Relais Odéon. […]
Oh yes, this takes me back alright! I think I went here or somewhere very similar, definitely called Relais and off St Germian, on my last visit (lots of deep red booths and dark wood leading into a lovely arcade) and had the most amazing brunch with a patisserie trio. Gnomm!
A proper brunch is something I have yet to try in Paris, sounds like it is worth lingering over one!
When I was in Paris for a holiday, I was a bit disappointed when the only choice we were given in a cafe for breakfast was a croissant or a tartine, not even with jam on it, just butter! I guess I really got used to the Aussie breakfast where there is so much choice: eggs, muesli, sandwiches… But I found myself quite enjoying the tartine, very simple but as the baguette was so good it didn’t need more than a bit of butter: hit the spot!
Funny the thins we miss. Would you believe the highlight for me is the tartine and cafe, no jam and no croissant? The only thing I crave occasionally is a good poached egg but I get my fix with the occasional omelette!
Breakfast is my favourite meal when on vacation. It’s because, regularly, I’ll be eating on the run. Unfortunately, I only really sit down for breakfast when on a holiday! Will keep this place on my little Paris black book.
I know what you mean! It feels like a luxury to sit down and enjoy a leisurely breakfast when you’re on the go all the time.
lovely – and it is so much better to get of the hotel breakfast thing and go find something with a little more atmosphere (because unfortunately, I’m never staying anywhere like the meurice!) 🙂 So, when is your next Paris adventure?
Don’t hate me… I did stay once at Hotel Meurice (will write about it soon) and breakfast was a grand affair. But apart from that, put me in a café any day and I’m happy!
Sigh… not sure. I’m missing Paris a lot lately and hope it’ll be within the next 24 months, not longer.
Around the world I love to search for great places to eat breakfast. Something about sitting at a cafe in the early morning, drinking coffee, and watching people scurrying about to start their day is always entertaining for me. If I make it to Paris soon, will check this place out.
Nothing like a civilised start to the day when others are rushing to work! 🙂
[…] a café. You can make like a Parisian and take your café standing up at a bar, or sit down for a petit déjeuner parisien, complete with jus d’orange, café crème, croissant, buttered tartine and jam. Alternatively, […]
I am lying awake in bed having arrived from Australia yesterday lunchtime – jet-lag sucks. An hour and a half before they open and I’m hungry! Going to go for a walk and will be at the Relais Odeon when they open their doors! Thanks for the suggestion (Paul from the Ultimo Wine Centre)
Hi Paul! Lovely to read your comment 🙂
Yes, jet lag from Australia is such a pain. I hope you enjoy your petit dejeuner at Relais Odeon. Of course, I’m envious that you’re in Paris! Have a great time and look forward to seeing you again at the UWC 🙂
[…] you wake up in the city of love, step outside of your hotel in St-Germain on the way to your regular café, holding hands with your other half in a romantic daze. After all, this is Paris and today […]
[…] puts a colourful start to your Parisian sejour. Brunch is a step out of the ordinary petit dejeuner complet you find in Paris with the combination of sweet and savoury dishes. The ambience is relaxed, the […]