I’m almost embarrassed to admit it. I’m not a big fan of the Amélie movie. Although I enjoyed watching Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain for its quirkiness and the Montmartre setting, much like cupcake mania, I could not partake in the hype that swept the world over.
From Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s work, I particularly favour Delicatessen and the City of Lost Children/ La cité des enfants perdus over this cinematic piece for hopeful romantics. Notwithstanding my preferences, when a leisurely walk in Montmartre is interrupted by threatening cloud, we find ourselves in front of Café des 2 Moulins, also known as Amélie’s Café.
Café des 2 Moulins
Located at the intersection of Rue Lepic and Rue Cauchois within a short distance of Moulin de la Galette, the café is easily recognisable with its vivid red awning. An ardoise sign near the entrance welcomes you with Bienvenue au Café d’Amélie and asks you to become a fan of their Facebook page.
Café des 2 Moulins: blackboard and entrance
Inside, there’s an air familiarity to devout movie fans. A gnome occupies a vantage position at the bar and a framed poster of Audrey Tautou smiles at people from behind the glass.
Amélie smiling behind glass
Gnome at the bar
We are asked if we have come to eat or have a drink then we’re shown to a table. I take note of the patrons. The French are occupying the area near the bar, while the fans are seated in the rear section of the café amongst the memorabilia.
The table covers depicting scenes from the movie serve a dose of nostalgia. The café sells a set of 10 for a measly 3 €. Alternatively, they turn a blind eye if you decide to take your own table cover with you as a souvenir.
Amélie table covers
Observing people, particularly girls and young couples as they enter the café is a fun pastime. Even the boyfriends/husbands are taken by the Amélie phenomenon. Once you step inside the café, you can’t help but feel as if you have taken part in the movie.
Scenes from Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain on the table covers
Our waitress is very busy attending to star struck fans but she is friendly to everyone, slipping into English to take the order from a group of young Americans and other tourists struggling with their limited French.
Amélie menu
The menu is presented with a photo of Amélie on the cover. There’s a good choice of light meals including salads, charcuterie platters even a selection from Les Plat du Jour d’Amélie!
croque-monsieur
We order croque-monsieur fraîcheur du maraîcher, a glass of vin rouge for Mr G and a Perrier pour moi. They serve a good croque, with a sizeable piece of toasted bread with enough ham and melted cheese just the way I like. The salad is fresh with a light balsamic dressing. We end the meal with un petit café.
Perrier mon amour bottle, Gourmantic was here
If you’re a fan of the Amélie movie, go to Café des 2 Moulins for a light meal. The food won’t break the budget. The ambience is convivial and catchy. The service is efficient while remaining friendly and welcoming. The staff allow you to indulge your Amélie whims and you can take as many photos as you like.
Memorabilia behind glass in the unisex amenities
And while you’re there, make sure you visit the unisex toilet with your camera for more Amélie memorabilia.
Maybe I’m just an incurable romantic at heart.
Café des 2 Moulins
15 Rue Lepic
18eme Arrondissement
Paris
For more suggestions on where to eat in Paris, don’t miss our Paris Restaurant and Bistro Guide.
I like Amelie but I’d agree… Delicatessan is a better flick and sits in my top 20 of all time. Looks fun… but now you have me wondering why there isn’t a Delicatessan themed café!
Can you imagine what a Delicatessen-themed café would be serving?! It would be a fun concept… if it was all make belief! 🙂
[…] Café des Deux Moulins 15 Rue Lepic; Tel: 01 42 54 90 50; Métro: Blanche Who does not love Audrey Tatou? The owners play up to the film and let all the patrons have their own Amélie moment. Croque Monsieur or Madame, une coupe de vin rouge in a setting of classic 1950’s décor. Check out the Amélie memorabilia in the unisex bathroom. Read our review of Café des Deux Moulins. […]
Oh la la, I have seen that movie so many times… I loved it but I don’t think I could watch it again, I can’t stand her anymore! A friend of mine says he just wants to slap her! I agree with you on Delicatessen and La cité des enfants perdus, I like it a bit darker! I wouldn’t mind catching a glimpse of the café though next time I’m in Paris, that Croque-monsieur looks pretty good and generously portioned 🙂
That’s funny! I think anything good that gets a lot of hype begins to lose its flavour. Definitely go there next time you’re in Paris, the ambience is very catchy! 🙂
Not really a big Amelie movie fan, but because it was set in Paris and I love Paris, then by default, I guess I ought to like the movie 🙂 I’m glad to hear the cafe prices are still fair and reasonable.
Anything in Paris… n’est-ce pas? 🙂 They must be doing it right at the café since they cater to the fans and the locals.
The table mats are fab, those people know the tourist goldmine they’ve got themselves! If you like Paris movie trivia you should get a copy of Michael Schurmann’s Paris Movie Walks book. From it I learned that the cafe was the director’s local for many years before he used it as a key location in the film.
http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Movie-Walks-Guided-Through/dp/1887140832/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
That would be fabulous to do on a long trip! Particularly in the footsteps of the old French movies. Thanks for the link 🙂
I agree…i’m more of a Delicatessen and La cité des enfants perdus fan. But, the Amelie cafe is not far from my place, so I do stop in there from time to time. And last time I was there (a few months back) i was happy to notice that, yes, prices are still decent and the service was friendly.
Always lovely to get a local’s perspective/endorsement of a visitor’s impression. Thank you as always, Forest 🙂
I did like Amelie – I loved her impish sense of humour and nothing against the movie – but one of my colleagues played the soundtrack over and over until I wanted to go psycho on her.. so I sort know how you feel. Haven’t seen Delicatessan and will now 😉 Oh – the cafe & the croque monsieur looks delish too!
If you enjoy dark humour, you’ll like Delicatessen. The characters are very quirky! It’ll make you hungry, but not for a croque-monsieur! 😉
I’ve seen Amelie a bunch of times via my French classes, believe it or not! It was a real kick to watch it in French the first time even though I didn’t understand half of it… Agree that the shots & scenes from the cafe are quite funny – haven’t been there yet, so thanks for taking me virtually 🙂 -really incredible photos!
Thanks Tuula 🙂
What a fun way to learn the French language! I’ve seen it in French with English subtitles and it’s a lot of fun in the original language.
Hilarious! Oddly comforting to see that Americans don’t have a lock on cross-promotion. 🙂
Watching the group of young Americans at the café being taken in by the ambience was part of the fun. The guys make good ambassadors for romantic films! 🙂
I liked Amelie but now I simply have to watch the other two you recommended! 🙂 What a fun, quirky place to have lunch. The gnome makes me smile. 🙂
Cute, isn’t he! Like he knows everything and he’s watching everyone while keeping silent.
I think you’d enjoy the other movies 🙂
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