Cafes for teenagers in Paris?

Question

Cafes for teenagers in Paris?

Answer 1

I have never seen what I would call a cafe for teenagers although there are obviously more young people to to be found in cafes that are in close proximity to schools.

It seems to me that there is less catering to "teenagers" as a group in France than in the North America.

Also, French teenagers are under a great deal more academic pressure than Americans as their equivalent of high school is several orders of magnitude more rigorous than the American.

Please note that the legal age to purchase beer and wine in France is 16 (18 for distilled alcoholic beverages).

Answer 2

I like what JS1 said but would like to add...

Cafés, in general, tend to be for an older crowd -- you won't find many teenagers at your average French café or brasserie. The café culture in Paris is almost not at all comparable to the youthful coffee shop culture you'll find in the States. At home in Maine I love going to my local coffeshop and meeting up and hanging out with friends there, but in Paris I've yet to find a café where teenagers congregate with any regularity. Therefore, if what you want is to drink a somewhat expensive (4€) coffee, chain smoke, and people-watch, then almost any café will do. If, however, you want to interact with and meet people, skip the cafés. Head to busy parks and squares, then loiter around and smoke cigarettes (I swear this is my best advice -- it's the easiest way to meet people). Go out at night in busy, vibrant neighborhoods like the Latin Quarter or the Bastille or the Marais (it's the g*y quarter, but it's great if you're straight, too).

If you're really stuck on the romantic Parisian café idea, just pick one with a great view -- whether it be of people, a park, the Seine -- and settle down with your coffee and cigarettes. It will be fun and relaxing. But remember -- it's soo not French to order a café au lait any time after lunch. Also -- don't get addicted to cigarettes.

Answer 3

Any cafe really you can go to? All the ones I went to had different age groups. Stick with the tourist spots.

Answer 4

you can go to cafés or bars, but you wont be given beers or alcohol if you're under 18 yrs old.

Answer 5

just get there and wander around.  don't listen to anyone here.  make it your own place.  i've been to paris many times and never set any schedules.  made the mistake of inviting a friend from home and she ruined my entire trip by nagging and assuming there were 'right' ways to go to paris.  just get there and do whatever the h**l you want.  for cafes, the entire city is a cafe.  who told you different?  everywhere you go is a cafe, so sit down, drink a cafe or a beer, get a bite to eat, and soak it in.  and please don't try and act like you're parisian.

Answer 6

Cafes usually have a mixture of people of all ages.  You might try heading for ones near universities, such as La Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter and IAE on rue Broca.