Carette Place des Vosges: Sipping Tea Under 17th-Century Arches
Sit beneath the colonnade of Place des Vosges with a warm cup cradled between your hands, and watch Paris happen before you. The arcaded square stretches in perfect geometric symmetry, with terracotta rooftops rising behind honey-toned stone facades. This is where Carette exists—not just a café, but window into how Paris has always imagined itself.
Founded in 1927 at Trocadéro, Carette has become a genuine institution, with the Place des Vosges location arriving more recently. The pâtisserie-café is rated 3.8 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #2,535 of 16,203 restaurants in Paris. Google ratings reach 4.5/5, suggesting the Tripadvisor assessment undersells the experience.
The famous hot chocolate arrives as a pot of thick, steaming chocolate accompanied by generous whipped cream, intense, deep, rich, and almost velvety in texture. Yet Carette offers far more than a single standout drink. The pastries honor traditional French technique. The afternoon tea service maintains standards most establishments abandoned decades ago. The location—overlooking Paris’s oldest public square, built 1605—transforms coffee into ceremony.
This review explores why Carette matters despite mixed service reviews, and how location, pastry craft, and legendary hot chocolate create something that transcends typical café experience.
Source: Carette Instagram
Quick Take: Why Carette Deserves The Hype
Carette is known for its decadent hot chocolate with whipped cream, which guests describe as standout offering. The atmosphere receives consistent praise for elegance of outdoor seating facing Place des Vosges. While some find service inconsistent and prices steep, the overwhelming majority emphasize the quality experience justifies the cost.
The Highlights:
The seating setup is classic Paris: small round tables, wicker chairs, and rhythm of waiters weaving with trays of croissants, coffees, and cups of Carette hot chocolate.
Located at 25 Place des Vosges in Le Marais, Carette overlooks Paris’s oldest public square built in 1605. The terrace seating beneath 17th-century arches provides quintessential Parisian experience.
The hot chocolate lives up to hype, according to most guests. One reviewer described missing it as “akin to missing the Eiffel Tower itself.”
The pastries—éclairs, mille-feuille, macarons, croissants—honor traditional French pâtisserie standards. The lemon tart earns particular recommendation, described as “lemony with just enough sugar with crisp tart.”
Skip it if: Budget-conscious travel matters more than experience, uncomfortable with crowds and wait times, prefer modern minimalist aesthetics over historic elegance.
Source: Carette Instagram
Place des Vosges: The Most Beautiful Square in Paris
Understanding Carette requires understanding the square it inhabits.
The Square’s Significance
Place des Vosges, completed 1605, is Paris’s oldest public square and arguably most beautiful. UNESCO World Heritage site, architectural masterpiece, and living community space, the square represents planned Renaissance grandeur before Haussmann’s 19th-century reorganization.
The symmetric arcaded design—identical Renaissance buildings arranged in perfect rectangle—creates visual harmony unique in Paris. The colonnade provides covered walkways protecting from weather while maintaining openness to the square’s central gardens.
The Literary Connection
Victor Hugo lived here. The square hosts Paris’s most famous residents and most historic moments. Duels occurred beneath these arches. Revolutionaries gathered here. Writers found inspiration walking these paths.
The location transforms Carette from merely fashionable into genuinely historically significant.
Source: Carette Instagram
The Square’s Rhythm
The mood is always pleasant since there are tourists from all over world, yet locals still gather here. The mix creates authentic Parisian atmosphere where visitors and residents coexist naturally.
The History: A Century of Parisian Excellence
Carette’s longevity speaks to something deeper than trend-following.
The 1927 Foundation
Carette was founded in 1927 at Trocadéro and has become genuine institution, recently opening second address at Place des Vosges.
The 1920s were golden age for Parisian café culture. Post-WWI optimism, artistic flourishing, and café society defining Paris’s image all converged during this period. Carette emerged amid this cultural renaissance.
Nearly A Century Later
Almost 100 years of operation demands consistency, quality, and genuine care for craft. Carette survived wars, economic shifts, cultural changes, and competitive pressure through commitment to core identity: excellent pastries, proper café standards, and refined hospitality.
The Place des Vosges location represents expansion without loss of identity—a second home maintaining first location’s standards.
The Design: Elegance Under 17th-Century Arches
Carette’s beauty comes partially from the extraordinary setting, but significantly from thoughtful design choices.
The Covered Terrace
The terrace features classic Paris seating: small round tables and wicker chairs arranged for people-watching, providing quintessential Paris café experience.
The covered position under 17th-century arches means weather protection without feeling enclosed. The open sides maintain fresh air connection. The view extends across the square’s gardens and geometric beauty.
Indoor Space
The interior balances elegance with accessibility. Not stuffy museum-like but genuinely welcoming. Period furnishings and Parisian details create atmosphere without requiring formal wear or stiff behavior.
The Flower Details
Flowers grace each table—small touches that make difference between utilitarian café and cultivated experience. The flowers suggest care in details reflecting broader commitment to quality.
The Hot Chocolate: Worth Every Euro
This is what Carette is famous for—and fame is deserved.
What Arrives At Your Table
The hot chocolate arrives as pot of thick, steaming chocolate accompanied by generous serving of whipped cream. Unlike lighter hot chocolates elsewhere, this one is intense, deep, rich, and almost velvety in texture.
The richness comes from quality chocolate and careful preparation. Not overly sweet but deeply satisfying. The whipped cream portion is massive, easily shared between two drinks.
Why It Matters
This masterpiece sets Carette apart, with guests raving about legendary hot chocolate, making this indulgence impossible to miss.
One reviewer noted that missing Carette’s hot chocolate is “like missing the Eiffel Tower” in Paris. While hyperbolic, it captures how seriously people take this drink.
The Price Question
The hot chocolate isn’t inexpensive, typically €15-18. The price is high by café standards. Yet most guests describe it as justified given quality, portion size, and whipped cream generosity.
The portion of whipped cream is so massive it could even be shared between the hot chocolate and a crêpe or fruit, suggesting value beyond single drink.
Source: Carette Instagram
The Pastries: Traditional French Craft
Beyond hot chocolate, pastries define Carette’s identity.
The Signature Items
The éclairs are masterpiece of French pastry, boasting delicate balance of cream-filled bliss crowned with lustrous chocolate glaze, offering symphony of sweet indulgence. The mille-feuille, named “thousand leaves,” features layers of flaky puff pastry and velvety cream.
The lemon tart earns specific praise as best lemon tart, lemony with just enough sugar with crisp tart, perfect pairing with cappuccino.
The Croissants
Simple croissants become special when handled properly. Carette respects this. The croissants pair perfectly with coffee or hot chocolate, providing textural contrast and subtle butter richness.
The Macarons
The macaron selection represents rainbow of flavors including classic chocolate, coffee, vanilla, plus creative seasonal options.
Afternoon Tea Service: Refined Tradition
While many modern cafés abandoned formal tea service, Carette maintains the tradition.
The Tea Ceremony
Afternoon tea arrives properly—tea in pot (not bag), accompaniments arranged thoughtfully, pastries selected for variety and quality. The service includes both sweet and savory elements.
What’s Included
Fresh pastries, proper biscuits, refined presentation combining elegance with genuine comfort.
The Experience
Taking afternoon tea at Carette transforms simple beverage into ceremony. The pace slows. Time extends. Conversation deepens.
The Menu: Beyond Just Sweets
While pastries dominate Carette’s reputation, the full menu deserves attention.
Savory Options
The menu features entrées including Soupe À L’oignon Gratinée (€10.50) and Tartare De Saumon (€15.50), showcasing commitment to quality ingredients and traditional French cooking. Meat dishes include Entrecôte Black Angus (€38) and Boeuf Bourguignon (€23).
The menu includes Quiche Lorraine, French onion soup, and tomato salads.
Light Options
From delicious scrambled eggs to satisfying sandwiches, every dish is crafted with care and attention to detail.
The chicken club sandwiches receive specific praise, noting “pretty view and doesn’t get more Parisian than this”.
Pricing Reality
Carette falls into mid-range café category with items priced €10-30. Most people spend €20-30 per person.
Service Reality: Mixed But Authentic
Understanding Carette honestly means acknowledging service inconsistency.
What Works
Service is quite pleasant and fast despite crowds, with staff being friendly and welcoming, making comfortable spot for tourists and locals alike.
Friendly service and quick turnaround allow savoring food without feeling rushed.
Where It Struggles
Service experiences vary; some guests praise friendly staff while others note rudeness and long waits, with some reviewers describing service as rude and dismissive.
The crowd factor matters significantly. While place can get crowded with tourists, making reservation is recommended to avoid long waits.
The Practical Advice
If hoping to avoid wait entirely, arrive before 9 am to get peaceful Paris café experience, plenty of space, and luxury of heading elsewhere before crowds.
Who Should Visit Carette
Perfect For:
Paris First-Timers The combination of historic location, legendary café culture, and reliable quality makes this ideal introduction to Parisian café experience.
Hot Chocolate Enthusiasts Carette serves universally praised hot chocolate deserving pilgrimage for chocolate lovers.
Afternoon Tea Seekers Those wanting refined afternoon tea ceremony in historic setting find exactly what they’re looking for.
Square Watchers & People Observers The terrace seating provides perfect vantage point for watching Parisian life unfold.
Special Occasion Celebrants The historic location and refined atmosphere suit milestone moments and romantic moments.
Not Ideal For:
Budget Travelers The pricing reflects location and quality. Cheaper alternatives exist throughout Paris.
Time-Pressed Visitors Peak hours bring 30-minute waits. Rushing through Carette defeats the purpose.
Service Perfectionists Inconsistent service during peak times frustrates those expecting flawless execution.
Modern Minimalist Enthusiasts The historic traditional aesthetic won’t appeal to those preferring contemporary design.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carette
Is Carette actually worth the wait?
For most, yes. The combination of location, pastries, and hot chocolate justify the experience. Arriving early avoids worst crowds.
How much should I budget?
Plan €20-30 per person for full experience. Hot chocolate with pastry costs €20-25 alone.
Do I need reservations?
Informal reservations work during off-peak times, but walk-ins face waits during popular hours. Arriving before 9 am effectively reserves a table by avoiding crowds.
What should I definitely order?
The hot chocolate with whipped cream and a pastry combination is classic. The lemon tart receives particularly consistent praise.
Can I work/sit long-term?
During peak hours, no. Off-peak hours (early mornings, late afternoons) allow extended stays.
How’s the outdoor seating?
The terrace facing Place des Vosges provides quintessential Parisian café experience. Colder months require tolerance for cool temperatures despite covered position.
Is it overpriced?
The pricing reflects location, history, and quality. Whether it feels overpriced depends on perspective. Most guests feel quality justifies cost. Some resent paying for location.
What makes the hot chocolate so special?
Quality chocolate, proper technique, generous whipped cream portion, and presentation all combine. It’s not just chocolate—it’s experience.
Should I go specifically for Instagram?
You should go for the experience. Beautiful photos will naturally follow.
How long should I plan to stay?
Plan minimum one hour. Many guests spend 1.5-2 hours enjoying the square, pastries, and atmosphere.
Final Verdict: Historic Paris in a Cup
Carette represents something increasingly rare: a place where history, craft, location, and service quality converge into genuinely worthwhile experience.
What Works:
The location is extraordinary and irreplaceable. The hot chocolate deserves its reputation. The pastries honor traditional craft. The service, despite inconsistency, operates with genuine Parisian hospitality rather than manufactured warmth.
What Requires Acceptance:
Crowds and waits define popular times. Service varies. Prices reflect desirability rather than pure quality calculation. The experience requires time and patience.
The Honest Assessment:
Carette isn’t for efficiency-focused travelers wanting quick coffee. It’s perfectly positioned for relaxation and feast in most beautiful area of Paris. The atmosphere encourages lingering, observing, experiencing.
The 3.8 Tripadvisor rating undersells Carette for its intended purpose. Guests complaining about crowds and waits are sometimes visiting during peak hours expecting something other than what Carette offers. For travelers willing to visit appropriately and embrace the pace, Carette delivers legitimately special experience.
Ready to sit beneath 17th-century arches? Head to Place des Vosges and understand why Carette has served Paris for nearly a century.
📍 25 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris
📞 Phone: +33 1 48 87 94 07
🌐 Hours: Check specific location (typically 7:00-11:30 AM weekdays, 7:30 AM-11:30 PM weekends)
⭐ TripAdvisor: Highly rated (3.8-4.5 across locations)
Some cafés serve coffee. Carette serves Paris itself.
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