At 54 rue Chaudrier in La Rochelle, next to the central market, Café de la Paix has one of the city's best-preserved Belle Époque café interiors. Empire-style wood panelling, mirrors and floral paintings surround the tables: this is living heritage, not an inaccessible museum display.
Where does the Belle Époque décor come from?
The building has a long history: a military café already existed in this area in the early 19th century. The current café developed during that century and was refurbished around 1900 under the name Café de la Paix. Its historic dining room was restored in 1931 by painter A. Terral. The interior has been protected as a Historic Monument since 1984, while the façade and former Olympia cinema have been listed since 2022.
Why is Georges Simenon associated with this café?
During his stays in La Rochelle in the 1930s, Georges Simenon frequented this large local café. That literary history adds another dimension, connecting Belle Époque café culture with the city's cultural memory.
What to know before visiting
Café de la Paix is at 54 rue Chaudrier, close to La Rochelle's central market. Continue your walk towards the Hôtel de Ville, arcaded streets and Vieux-Port. Opening hours and dining services may change: check before booking or travelling.
An extra detail
When you sit at a table, look at the sequence of mirrors, painted ceilings and wood panelling: some details have survived for more than a century and are now protected heritage.
