And here I am updating revising this old post on one of my earliest hangouts in Paris. Its a long story for the Au Trappiste resto but I discovered with a group of expats doing get together here and the another group of Franco-Americans in Paris. Later, I came with the family and even brought visiting friends here! Its an eternal stop whenever possible in my eternal Paris. Hope you enjoy the post as I
On a cold wintery day in my neck of the Breton woods I came back to Paris again as I am lucky to do. If new to the blog, well worked for almost 10 years in Paris (75) while living in Versailles (78)…I now, live in the Morbihan (56) in Brittany for the last 9 years.
The story goes that I used to hang out a lot in the city and written several posts on shopping, eating, and drinking there. However, I sometimes become inspired or nostalgic about some spots, very personal. I have been here to eat, drink, meet collegues and friends and participate in group organisations in Paris for many years at least since 2004. So let me tell you a bit more on the Au Trappiste. Too many to choose from in Paris but we all have our favorite even if just visiting.
First ,a bit on the history I like on this corner of Paris.
The rue Saint-Denis, located in the 1éme and 2éme arrondissements is one of the oldest streets of Paris. Its axis is drawn from the 1C by the Romans, and it was the triumphant way of the Royals entrance in the city. It is 1334 meters long, and was named because it is the road that leads directly from the Pont au Change bridge to the city of Saint-Denis, where is located the Basilica St Denis, necropolis of the kings of France. This old road of Saint-Denis, was really named in honor of Saint Denis , who came from Italy around 250 or 270 with six companions to evangelize France. He was said to have been the first bishop of Paris (Lutèce), the Apostle of Gauls.
The street is line up parallel to the boulevard de Sébastopol and the rue Saint-Martin, and is part of the 1éme arrondissement or district in the quartier or neighborhood of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois, for the part between the Avenue Victoria and the Rue de Rivoli, neighborhood of Les Halles for the part between the rue de Rivoli and the rue Étienne-Marcel and from the 2éme arrondissement, rue Étienne-Marcel in the Bonne-Nouvelle neighborhood of bd Saint-Denis. During the French revolution, it was called Rue de Franciade.
The brewery bar restaurant is closer to Place du Châtelet to the Seine river. Au Trappiste, 4 rue Saint Denis, open from 11h to 02h Monday thru Sunday and from 11h to 04h on Fridays and Saturdays. Here you are in Belgium with the monks; lots of good beer, simple good portions of food, moules or mussels and fries,and grill sausages. The first or ground floor is more noisy ,the second or upper floor more calm and better views!of Chatelet. There is a nice cosy terrace nowdays just perfect for people watching and watched Paris! It is just by the metro exit and rue de Rivoli. Best way is the metro ,the RER is too crowded to get here. OF course, I came by car and lovely parking at Châtelet too. One of my showcase hangouts in Paris. You , also, can get here on RER B and RER D Châtelet-Les Halles, as well as Metro lines 1 ,4, 7, 11, and 14 and your nice above ground bus line 21,70,72,4,74,75,and 85 stop Châtelet.
Dedicated mainly to Belgian beers, the Au Trappiste, of course offers many beverages from all over the world. No less than 120 bottled beers (including the majority of Trappist beers that are brewed in the world) and twenty drafts beers. Rare beers are found here too. On the plate side, they work on classic but well made dishes such as choucroutte (saukraut), french fries, steaks, burgers, croque monsieurs (ham and cheese sandwiches), mussels,sausages, etc.
The brewery bar resto Au Trappiste is on the south end of the street (near the river Seine) and is one of the most attractive beer bars in the city. There is breezy outdoor seating during the warm months of the year and beautiful light wooden decor inside with matching beams, walls, and tables. It has a nice clean modern yet traditional decor and has to be one of the best French styled bars for beer in Paris. The place is alive all day, until late at night, and a room in the upper floor allows to organize private events. Which I have been too ::)
One of my favorite webpages found bottom of my main page in my blog roll give you plenty of more on the Au Trappiste.
Yelp on Au Trappiste: https://www.yelp.com/biz/au-trappiste-paris
Their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/autrappisteparis/
Hope it helps your tracking here, lovely place, great service and great views from upper tfloor. Not to mention simple classic dishes with great selection of beers. Love it, at Au Trappiste, and many memories here.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 