#anticafe

I actually have like 80 photos of this place

This is so cool—so much art/design!!!!

It’s Thursday morning. I am SPRINTING to campus to print out a paper. I check my watch. Merde. I don’t have enough time to go to campus then meet my class at the Louvre.

My mind starts plotting. I remember a professor saying there is an “anticafe” (a working cafe) next to the Louvre. Viola!

I sprint over there. I know I will have to pay a few euros for my short time there, but whatever. A sister was desperate.

I dash in there, grab a card from the young man there, and sprint to the restroom. I pee, then aim at my next goal: to print my paper.

I’m sweating. I only have 5 minutes to do this. I emailed to document to the anti cafe, and he prints it. I tell him I am ready to pay now, and he says that I pay afterwards. I told him I needed to go, and he tells me…

He tells me I don’t need to pay for the full amount, just the 10 cents for the print job.

My prince. The love of my life. I hope this guy finds a million euros on the street.

God bless Paris and God bless the Anticafe near the Louvre.

I have attached pictures and here is the google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/F66DSXdUSvw

So yeah, if you have not gathered this was a slow week for me. But sometimes that happens?

À bientôt!

I’m currently sat in this cute and spacious cafe near the Louvre. The clock is ticking and as each minute passes, my wallet empties a little bit more.

Anticafé is nothing like your usual cafe. It is a work-place cafe. You don’t pay for any drinks or snacks here. Instead, you pay for the time you spent in this calm and modern setting, working away on that essay you’ve left till last minute or simply typing up a blog post. For €5, you not only get to enjoy an hour of peace and quiet whilst you hustle but also an unlimited supply of food and beverage. Snacks include a variety of biscuits, fruits, fromage blanc and salad. They also serve hot and cold drinks with the option of using milk alternative (soy milk) for the lactose intolerants, vegans and those who are simply being difficult, like me.

*I have now left and am typing from my own room*

*We stayed for around two hours, which came up to €9,50/ €9,05 with student discount - remember your student cards kids!*

This place is also pretty instagrammable, which is always a bonus, amirite?

Whilst it’s calm, this place is not completely silent. The girl next to me had her earphones in but the music was playing on full blast so for two hours, and so I listened to the Top 40 Pop Chart as I revised my passe compose and l’imparfait. People chat, discuss their work or moan about their lives here. The barrister prepares cup after cup of caffeine to compensate for the not-so-cheap price you pay per hour/ minute after the first hour. So, naturally, I had two cups of tea and a cup of soy mocha, had a bowl of watermelons and some biscuits, just to get my money's worth.

Would I come back to this place? Probably, but not often though, as I feel like I can still get the unlimited buffet and peace here at home without having to pay €10 each time. (Perks of living with the family) But it is definitely a nice place to go with a friend or when you are struggling to concentrate at home since your desk is right next to your bed (which seems to be calling your name every few minutes) and the kitchen is right next door!

All in all, Anticafé offers a refreshing concept. Go there with an empty stomach to make your trip and money worthwhile! The first hour is €5, or €24 for the day. Should you feel the need to come here regularly, they do a monthly plan of €240.

For however long you spend in there, you get unlimited drinks and beverage (non-alcoholic obvs) and pretty good wifi too! There are also board games to make procrastination more fun.

Before you take a seat, go to the counter and get yourself a card, which records the time you spend in the cafe. Ask about the membership to get further discounts. For students, you already get 10% off any extra time you spend after the first hour.