The Esprit Brasseries chain includes some of the most iconic of Parisian restaurants. Each, in their own way, encapsulates elements of Parisian style and culture. All of them lay claim to their own little bit of French history. In particular, all appear to have been, or still are, favourite haunts of the rich and famous. They offer the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of Paris’ greatest personalities. However, by and large, they have limited accessibility for disabled users.
We’ll start with the most accessible – Terminus Nord. Located opposite (you guessed it) the Gare du Nord, it describes itself as the ‘most animated of the great Parisian brasseries’. Passengers from across Europe stop here before and after their journeys making it a lively place to be. It is the only one of the Esprit Brasseries, in Paris, with a disabled toilet in the restaurant, making it the most practical to visit. However, if you’re wanting to do a bit of celeb-spotting this might not be the place to go. The best they can offer are members of the European Parliament returning from Brussels to hold court.
Terminus Nord gets a provisional 2.5 BBS Ticks.
At the other end of the spectrum is La Coupole. Probably the coolest brasserie and definitely the one with the most celebrities in it’s past. It describes itself as ‘the most famous Parisian brasserie in the world. Today it is the quintessential symbol of Montparnasse’s history’. The great thrill of La Coupole is the chance to eat and drink at the same tables as philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir, writers including James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway and Scott Fitzgerald and artists like Matisse, Picasso and Dali. The list of famous customers goes on and on and on. Even ex-leaders of France Leon Blum and Francois Mitterand have eaten at La Coupole. It really is quite an extraordinary role call of visitors.
You can go and immerse yourself in the history of the brasserie, which is undoubtedly a unique experience. But don’t expect to be able to use the toilet which is situated down a flight of stairs. Entering the restaurant itself should not be a problem as it is on street level.
La Coupole gets a provisional 2 BBS Ticks because it is an incredible place to go even if it lacks disabled facilities.
Bofinger was opened near the Bastille in 1864 to serve the Alsatian neighbourhood of Paris beer on draught. Since then the brasserie has been through many changes. It has been favoured at one time or another by politicians, opera singers and fashion designers. Famous guests include Jean-Paul Gaultier, Barbara Hendricks and Woody Allen. The restaurant serves traditional Alsatian recipes.
Like La Coupole, Bofinger is on street level but has not got a disabled toilet.
Provisional 2 BBS Ticks
Brasserie FLO, Le Vaudeville and Balzar are all similar to La Coupole and Bofinger in terms of disabled access. Whilst they are situated on street level and the restaurants are all on one floor, none have a disabled toilet.
Brasserie FLO is another Alsatian style brasserie, with a history of brewing beer (2 BBS Ticks provisional). Vaudeville, a few blocks away from the Louvre, serves classic French dishes, in an art-deco style restaurant with roots in the roaring twenties (2 BBS Ticks provisional).
Last, but not least, is Balzar. Found in the Latin Quarter Balzar, a stone’s throw from the Sorbonne. It’s been a favourite of great thinkers, writers and scholars for over a century. Whereas La Coupole has had all sorts of celebrities, Balzar is associated more specifically with academics such as André Malraux, Albert Camus and Bruce Willis. Well, two out of three. Balzar also gets a provisional 2 BBS Ticks.
All in all, the Esprit Brasseries are worth visiting for their traditional feel and history. However, besides Terminus Nord the disabled access is not ideal.
