Rosa Bonheur: Little oasis among the trees
Come out to hilly Buttes Chaumont Park in the 19th arrondissement to escape the hustle and bustle of central Paris. After a day of lounging in one of the few parks where you can actually lay on the grass without a policeman coming up and shaking his finger at you, walk up to this little café hidden in the trees for a little refreshment.
Named after a modern female artist who lived in the eighteen hundreds, Rosa Bonheur is a guinguette, a friendly open-air café offering sandwiches, wine and beer to hungry and thirsty picnickers up on the hill. Like its namesake, this quirky establishment values the passionate, independent personalities who stop by and contribute to the colorful ambiance at play here.
Enter Buttes Chaumont Park at the town hall entrance. Make your way left and uphill past the lookout tower. The little white and green pavilion with benches outside beckons as a haven in the woods should. Step inside and admire the wooden bar and artsy decorations. Order a pint of 1664 on tap or a bottle of wine to share with friends. Find a seat on a bench outside and spend the afternoon watching kids and couples stroll by. Stay long enough to see the sky turn pink as the sun sets behind the city. Take a deep breath of fresh air and savor your little piece of happiness in the park.
Rosa Bonheur, guinguette
Parc des Buttes Chaumont
2, allée de la Cascade
75019 Paris
© 2012 Pasa’s Paris