Paris is a city that thrives on ritual, beauty, and the art of slowing down — and nowhere is this spirit more perfectly embodied than in its tea culture. While coffee may fuel the city’s mornings, tea defines its afternoons: a gentle ceremony of porcelain clinks, whispered conversations, and the soothing aroma of infusions steeping to perfection. Across the French capital, from Belle Époque salons glimmering with chandeliers to quiet courtyards draped in ivy, tea becomes more than a drink — it becomes an experience, a connection between elegance and emotion.
To truly understand Paris, one must not only see its monuments but taste its rituals. Below are the most iconic and enchanting tea experiences in the city — places where history, art, and flavor blend in the most unforgettable ways.
1. Angelina – Rue de Rivoli (1st Arrondissement)
Since its opening in 1903, Angelina has been synonymous with Parisian sophistication. Located just steps from the Tuileries Garden, this Belle Époque institution transports guests back to a time of artistic salons and literary decadence. Its grand mirrors, gilded moldings, and marble-topped tables recall a Paris of elegance and leisure.
Though most come for the famous “L’Africain” hot chocolate, connoisseurs know that Angelina’s tea list is equally sublime. Choose from blends like Thé Mont-Blanc or Earl Grey Angelina and enjoy them alongside a slice of their world-renowned Mont-Blanc dessert — a masterpiece of meringue, chestnut purée, and whipped cream.
Beyond the salon, the boutique next door offers Angelina’s teas in collectible tins — pastel-colored boxes that make perfect gifts. With each sip, you can almost hear the clatter of teacups and the rustle of silk dresses from a century ago.
- 📍 Location: 226 Rue de Rivoli, across from the Tuileries Garden
- 🍰 Specialties: Mont-Blanc pastry, signature teas, and “L’Africain” hot chocolate
- 🪞 Atmosphere: Grand, luminous, and nostalgic
- 💡 Tip: Go early in the morning or on Tuesdays (when the Louvre is closed) to avoid the long lines.
- 💶 Price Range: €15–25 for tea and dessert set
2. Mariage Frères – Marais (4th Arrondissement)
Mariage Frères isn’t just a tea house — it’s an institution. Established in 1854, it’s where French colonial heritage meets modern luxury. The Marais flagship is both a museum and a sensory journey, filled with dark woods, brass fixtures, and the rich scent of over 600 varieties of tea from around the world.
Every pot is brewed with the precision of a ceremony. Tea sommeliers guide you through the menu — a global voyage that includes smoky Chinese Lapsang, floral Darjeeling, and the legendary Marco Polo, a secret blend of fruit and flowers that has become one of the most beloved teas in Paris. The adjoining museum displays antique teapots, colonial maps, and centuries-old trade artifacts, making it as much a cultural experience as a culinary one.
The brand’s boutiques also sell elegant teas in their signature black-and-gold tins, making them a collector’s item for tea lovers across the globe.
- 📍 Location: 30 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg
- 🍃 Specialties: Marco Polo, Thé à l’Opéra, and tea-infused pastries
- 🕰️ Atmosphere: Heritage-rich, aromatic, and timeless
- 💡 Tip: Try the afternoon tea service for the full experience, complete with mini sandwiches and pastries.
- 💶 Price Range: €25–35 per person
3. Ladurée – Rue Royale & Champs-Élysées
If Paris were a flavor, it might taste like Ladurée. Known worldwide for its pastel-hued macarons, Ladurée’s tea salons are temples of refinement. The moment you enter, you’re surrounded by pastel walls, rococo furniture, and the delicate scent of rose and vanilla.
The tea list ranges from the classics to signature blends like Thé Marie-Antoinette, a fragrant mix of black tea, rose petals, and citrus. Pair it with a lemon tart or pistachio macaron for an experience that feels straight out of a Parisian painting.
Every detail here — from the polished silverware to the marble-topped tables — has been perfected over generations. It’s as much about atmosphere as it is about flavor.
- 📍 Location: Multiple salons across Paris; flagship at 16 Rue Royale
- 🍰 Specialties: Rose tea, lemon tart, pistachio macarons
- 🎀 Atmosphere: Feminine, refined, and romantic
- 💡 Tip: Go during the morning hours for a quieter, more elegant experience.
- 💶 Price Range: €8–20 per person
4. Salon de Thé de la Grande Mosquée – 5th Arrondissement
Among the most atmospheric tea spots in Paris, the Grande Mosquée de Paris tearoom offers a journey through North African culture. Located beside the Jardin des Plantes, this mosaic-tiled courtyard glows with turquoise, gold, and sunlight filtered through climbing vines.
The ritual is simple yet enchanting: silver teapots, steaming mint tea, and the sweet, earthy scent of sugar melting into green tea. Pair your glass with honeyed pastries like baklava or cornes de gazelle and let the world slow down around you. The melodic sounds of birds and fountains add to the dreamlike experience.
This is more than just tea — it’s a cultural encounter, a glimpse into the beauty of Moroccan hospitality within the heart of Paris.
- 📍 Location: 39 Rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire
- 🌿 Specialties: Moroccan mint tea, baklava, almond pastries
- 🕌 Atmosphere: Peaceful, exotic, and timeless
- 💡 Tip: Visit at sunset for the most magical ambiance.
- 💶 Price Range: €5–10
5. Betjeman & Barton – 11th Arrondissement
Founded in 1919, Betjeman & Barton bridges French and English tea traditions with sophistication. The boutique’s interior — a blend of warm woods and brushed metal — exudes quiet confidence. With more than 250 blends to choose from, it’s a playground for true tea aficionados.
Betjeman & Barton’s expertise shines through in their flavor profiles: robust Assams, subtle white teas, and creative blends like L’Île Mystérieuse, infused with vanilla and tropical fruits. The staff’s knowledge makes visiting a delight, as they offer insights on pairing, steeping, and even tea storage.
- 📍 Location: 23 Boulevard Beaumarchais
- 🍃 Specialties: Earl Grey, Darjeeling, seasonal fruit infusions
- ✨ Atmosphere: Chic, local, and unpretentious
- 💡 Tip: Ask to smell the loose teas before choosing; it’s part of the fun.
6. Le Loir dans la Théière – Marais (4th Arrondissement)
Whimsical and cozy, Le Loir dans la Théière — literally “The Dormouse in the Teapot” — captures the bohemian charm of the Marais. Vintage posters, secondhand furniture, and mismatched china create an ambiance that feels like home.
The café’s lemon meringue tart, famous across Paris, towers with golden peaks. Paired with a cup of fragrant black tea or spicy chai, it becomes a moment of joy that sums up the city’s unpretentious beauty. Writers and artists frequent the space, scribbling in notebooks or chatting over pots of tea for hours.
- 📍 Location: 3 Rue des Rosiers
- 🍰 Specialties: Lemon meringue tart, quiche, and loose-leaf teas
- 🎨 Atmosphere: Creative, eclectic, and lively
- 💡 Tip: Weekends are crowded — go midweek for the best tables by the window.
7. Rosa Rosam Rosae – Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
Tucked away on a quiet street in Montmartre, Rosa Rosam Rosae is part tearoom, part art studio. The scent of fresh pastries and flowers fills the air, while sunlight filters through lace curtains onto painted teacups. The name, Latin for “Rose of Roses,” perfectly describes the café’s romantic soul.
Here, you’ll find Bourgeon teas, delicate herbal infusions, and English-style desserts such as carrot cake and banana bread. Every corner of the café tells a story — from the dried rose garlands to the watercolor art on the walls.
- 📍 Location: Near Sacré-Cœur
- 🍃 Specialties: Bourgeon teas, homemade cakes, cookies
- 🌸 Atmosphere: Dreamy, floral, and soulful
- 💡 Tip: Try their signature lavender tea with lemon drizzle cake — a local favorite.
8. Hanami Tea Time – 3rd Arrondissement
Minimalist, modern, and serene, Hanami Tea Time brings a touch of Japan to Paris. Named after the cherry blossom festival, it’s a place where every detail — from the ceramics to the lighting — evokes calmness. The star attraction is their soufflé pancakes, impossibly airy and perfectly golden.
Alongside matcha and hojicha teas, the menu features creative drinks like Sakura Sparkling Tea and Pink Blossom Milk. Each dish is a visual and culinary delight, making this spot a favorite among locals, tourists, and Instagram aficionados alike.
- 📍 Location: Rue des Gravilliers
- 🍰 Specialties: Soufflé pancakes, matcha, and floral teas
- 🌸 Atmosphere: Zen, photogenic, and soothing
- 💡 Tip: Visit right at opening to skip the wait; the line forms quickly.
9. Salon Bontemps (Jardin Secret) – Marais (4th Arrondissement)
Behind the doors of Bontemps Pâtisserie lies Salon Bontemps, one of Paris’s most beautiful hidden tearooms. The pastel courtyard, filled with ivy and orange trees, feels like a private Parisian garden. The décor — mint chairs, soft jazz, and sunlight dappling across pastries — invites you to linger.
Their butter sablés are renowned, as are their seasonal fruit tarts topped with figs, berries, and cream. Served alongside a pot of tea, they make for a heavenly combination that’s both indulgent and serene.
- 📍 Location: 57 Rue de Bretagne
- 🍰 Specialties: Sablés, fruit tarts, mousses
- 💡 Tip: Reservations are essential during weekends.
Where to Buy Tea Souvenirs in Paris
Before leaving the city, bring home a piece of its tea culture. Whether you prefer elegant tins or playful packaging, Parisian tea boutiques make souvenir shopping an art form.
- 🛍️ Mariage Frères, Dammann Frères, Palais des Thés, Kusmi Tea: Timeless French brands offering black, green, and herbal teas.
- 🏬 La Grande Épicerie & Galeries Lafayette Gourmet: Gourmet tea counters that feel like treasure troves.
- 🎁 Angelina & Ladurée Boutiques: Signature dessert-inspired teas — Mont-Blanc, Rose Thé, and more — presented in ornate boxes.
Luxury & Unique Tea Experiences
Paris’s tea scene reaches its height in the city’s five-star hotels, where afternoon tea becomes haute couture.
- 🗼 Rooftop Eiffel Tea (Pullman Tour Eiffel): Enjoy panoramic views and Champagne tea service at sunset. (€50 per person)
- 👑 Ritz Paris (Salon Proust): A regal ritual featuring handcrafted pastries, mini sandwiches, and over 30 tea varieties. (€105 per person)
- 🕊️ Le Meurice (Le Dali): A modern, artistic interpretation of tea by chef Cédric Grolet. (€80 per person)
- 🌿 Le Bristol (Le Jardin Français): A serene garden escape offering elegant teas surrounded by flowers. (€48 per person)
Practical Tips for Tourists
- ⏰ Best Time: Afternoon (3–5 PM) is perfect for tea and pastries.
- 📞 Reservations: Highly recommended for luxury hotels and boutique tearooms.
- 🗣️ Language: English menus are available, but greeting staff in French is always appreciated.
- 💸 Tipping: Not required, though a small tip is a nice gesture.
- 🌧️ Weather Tip: On rainy days, tearooms make ideal sanctuaries — especially those near Notre-Dame or Montmartre.
Final Sip
In Paris, tea is far more than a beverage — it’s an embodiment of grace, conversation, and artistry. Whether you find yourself beneath the crystal chandeliers of Angelina, amid the mosaics of the Grande Mosquée, or in the hidden gardens of the Marais, each cup tells a story of Paris itself: refined, romantic, and timeless. To drink tea here is to pause the world — and savor the beauty of simply being.