Evening Café Life in Le Marais

The Paris Vignettes series features the inspired work of street photographer William “Bill” O’Such in themed installments

Life is quite different between San Francisco and Paris, the cities where I divide my time. In San Francisco, if you head out at 9 pm, much of everything is closed or about to close. While in Paris, café life is in full swing, with many places only closing up near midnight (“Café de la Mairie”), even on weekdays. Wandering along Rue de Bretagne one Tuesday evening, there were so many choices as I turned left off Rue Vieille du Temple. There are many options (“Le Barbouille”, “Café du Marché”), but I ended up sitting down at friendly cafe Le Sancerre to reflect on an inspirational day of street photography and what images to share via Street Photography France.

Another night, heading out to visit some friends in the 10th arrondissement, people were enjoying dinner at the Café des Musées, one of the best places for a classic boeuf bourguignon. While returning home near 11 pm, I spotted a couple at “Caves Saint Gilles” engaged in a deep conversation, the last people there before it closed. If you’re in Le Marais, enjoy the many options until late in the evening. Look for me as I may be sitting at our local spot (“Le Petit Place”).