The most chic tea rooms in Paris

Between girlfriends or lovers, having a tea time turns out to be the little sexy luxury we offer ourselves when everything is going to hell, or just for the pleasure of believing we are invited to Downton Abbey . Our top 10 of the most chic tea rooms in Paris for a princess afternoon tea .

The atmosphere: the shortbread that we come to get from the 4 corners of the capital, it's here. The best lemon cake in Paris is still there. Suffice to say that with its tea room behind the Bontemps pastry shop , the Marais exults. A tip: book well in advance to enjoy an enchanted afternoon in this highly romantic boudoir. A mermaid bar, reupholstered vintage armchairs, and of course mismatched crockery to die for: keep an eye out, everything here has been meticulously thought out and chosen by Fiona and her husband.

The signature drink: orangeade with orange blossom from Lebanon , crazy (€8)! The café team will also choose a grain latte macchiato signed Maison Verlet (€8).

The delicacies: an assortment of 4 seasonal Bontemps, these signature bites on shortcrust pastry, an addictive Nuage Tiramisu, a very soft flan or a divine pear tart (€12). Mmmmh… Ultimate insane option: the Sunday brunch as in the photo, which speaks for itself (€45).

Bontemps La Pâtisserie , 57 rue de Bretagne Paris 3rd, 0142741068, open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday until 6 p.m.

The atmosphere: capital chic to play it queen and king for a day between the wooded walls of the Proust lounge displaying all the attributes of French luxury with a library, fireplace, velvety armchairs and soft light. So refined .

The signature drink: high-end tea from TWG , available in 4 flavors exclusively created for the Ritz Paris , including the enchanting Jardin Vendôme blending green tea leaves, sweet wild flowers and a touch of chamomile.

The delicacies: the cutest pastry chef in Paris, aka François Perret , offers a completely irresistible '' Goûter à la Française '' formula. It begins with a Baba in the shape of a madeleine which goes well with the chosen hot drink (soaked in tea , coffee or cocoa nib syrup topped with vanilla cream). To follow, a veritable feast of head-spinning sweets: marbled cake , lemon meringue tart , orange straw, Ritz Écolier , passion fruit-filled madeleine, vanilla cake, chocolate caramel tart, vanilla flan, apples and marbled brioche, hazelnut spread (€68 per person).

Salon Proust at the Ritz Paris , 15 place Vendôme, Paris 1er, every day from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The atmosphere: the meeting place for new elegant women is none other than this gourmet boudoir with a very Vendôme spirit that Sébastien Gaudard , the gifted pastry chef from rue des Martyrs, opened near the Tuileries … His hobby? The art of reconnecting with the old-school tradition of the French tea room that Parisiennes loved , like a retro-hyped trip back in time... It was without counting on a sublime decor, punctuated with wildly 19th century touches (velvet, marble) to perfect the neo-vintage atmosphere ...

The signature drink: a very choco hot chocolate (€6.80).

The delicacies: a timeless Tropézienne with orange blossom brioche, coarse sugar and vanilla cream (€8.20) and a small caramelized choux pastry with choux pastry, light vanilla cream and crunchy caramel (€8.20) .

Sébastien Gaudard , 3 rue des Pyramides, Paris 1er, 01 71 18 24 70, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The atmosphere: before or after an exhibition at the fascinating Jacquemart-André museum , we sneak to the back of the courtyard on the right for a tea time with delicately old-fashioned charm, installed on gilded chairs in this grandiose decor worthy of the Pompadour . Each exhibition is an opportunity to change the menu, adapting to the new cultural context. A London painter ? We add fish & chips to the menu. Food nerd , in short!

The signature drink: tea of course, presented in a pretty service with a fine selection of flavors ( Sencha , Lapsang Souchong , Eden Rose… €5.60).

Delicacies: the great classics of French pastry ( large raspberry macaroon , chocolate cake , millefeuille … €11.50). For the savory dishes: a very good quiche (€15) and beautiful mixed salads (from €16.70).

Café Jacquemart-André , 158 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 8th open Monday to Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

The atmosphere: a decor worthy of a time machine with an ultra cozy lounge upstairs to chat quietly away from indiscreet ears.

The signature drink: grand cru coffee roasted by hand by their roastery in the Palais-Royal, with the greatest respect for tradition .

The delicacies: madeleines of your choice (€2.50) and homemade waffles served with whipped cream , chocolate sauce or caramelized apples .

Verlet Paris , 256 rue Saint Honoré, Paris 1er, 01 42 60 67 39, open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The atmosphere: to celebrate his 10th birthday , pastry chef Christophe Adam opened his first coffee shop in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement . A brick and marble place with leather banquettes, velvet chairs and a sweet counter open to the dining room.

The signature drink: crazy hot chocolate which here takes the form of a water lily with chocolate petals that open and reveal their flavors when they are drizzled with hot milk. A real spectacle , delicate and voluptuous, to be filmed imperatively!

The delicacies: the Mexico chocolate croissant (€5), the Yuzu lemon brioche (€3), the Iranian pistachio roll (€5), the floating island revisited with its gluten-free biscuit and its almond praline (€7), the must-have éclairs including the intense Marcona almond coffee (€7.50), the cakes with a special mention for the marbled hazelnut praline (€6.50) and the gluten-free milk chocolate cookie (€7. €50).

Éclair de Génie café , 122 rue Montmartre, Paris 2nd. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The atmosphere: an ultra cute and so British tea room with its floral fabric on the walls, which for 37 years has been the favorite address of fine gourmets and personalities who have their habits there. It must be said that everyone is received there like at home by Valéria and her mother .

The signature drink: the hot chocolate saucepan and its divine vanilla whipped cream (€8), is one of the best in Paris . And in the light category , the fine collection of herbal teas straight from the Palais-Royal herbalist (€7).

The delicacies: the legendary candied chestnut cake (€12), to get up at night, the Austrian linzertorte with its spicy shortcrust pastry filled with raspberry jam (€12), the famous gluten-free chocolate fondant (€11) and the delicate scones flavored with a zest of lemon (€9).

Les deux abeilles , 189 rue de l'Université, Paris 7th, 0145556404, open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The atmosphere: the fine team of Septime (Clamato and D'une île) had already created a buzz with the opening of their first pastry shop in their favorite 11th arrondissement. In 2022, the team doubles the bet in the 7th near École Militaire . And here is Tapisserie in its left bank version , this time with a room to sit down and even a small terrace.

The signature drink: coffee in all its versions, sourced from the Coffee Tree and a green pippin apple juice from Perche .

The delicacies: we find the house's best sellers that have made all of Paris salivate: the '' Clamata'' , a marvelous tartlet with maple syrup and whipped cream (€6.50), the orgasmic puffs with flour (2 €20), the crazy sugar tart with raw cream (€2.20), the creamy chocolate éclair with 74% Jamila chocolate (€3.20), the sexy vanilla flan (€4 a slice) and the small collection of seasonal fruit cakes such as the fine apple tart (€3.90) or the flower pollen citrus tartlet (€6.90).

Tapestry, 65 rue de Charonne, Paris 11th, 0155287943 and 16 avenue de la Motte Picquet, Paris 7th, 0145501427, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The atmosphere: hidden just above his shop in the Palais-Royal , Alain Ducasse 's Salon des Manufactures is already a trendy tea room, oriented towards the chef's indulgences: chocolate and sorbets...

The signature drink: hot chocolate, essential and so fragrant (€12), served in its silver jug to be poured into beautiful cups. Also top: the minted version (€18).

The delicacies: a 75% Madagascar chocolate mousse (€18), madeleines and hot chocolate (€16), and beware of the trap when someone tells you that “ This is not a lemon tart! ” (€17).

Le Salon des Manufactures , 11 rue des Petits Champs, Paris 1er, 01 55 35 02 16, open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The atmosphere: from its name, taking up the first names of the characters from La Traviata to its soundtrack bringing the notes of the greatest operas to its baroque decoration and the surname of its cakes, this adorable tea room elegantly mixes the two passions of the owner Yvan Alvarez , pastry chef and music lover .

The signature drink: old-fashioned hot chocolate offered in all colors (dark, milk or white), in a Viennese and Spanish (thick) version. And teas with enchanting names ( Isolde 's Love Filter, Carmen 's Freedom, The Nutcracker's Spell).

The delicacies: the ultra fluffy pancakes including La Reine des neiges topped with mascarpone, milk jam, chocolate sauce, hazelnuts and a scoop of vanilla ice cream (€12.50), the lemon tart and its indecent meringue , the Lac des Swans (chocolate mousse, crispy praline, hazelnut biscuits), non-alcoholic tiramisu (pastries €7.50 per slice). And also cakes whose flavors change every day (€4 a slice).

Violetta & Alfredo , 30 rue de Trévise, Paris 9th, open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (no reservations).

Also discover cocktails and plates to share at Nectar and Alfred, the new brasserie of Alexia Duchene