Le Bouquet d’Alésia
Another café that Henry Miller’s frequented at this intersection was the Bouquet d’Alésia: “Hardly a day of my life, after moving to the Villa Seurat, ever passed without a drink or two at either Café Zeyer or the Café Bouquet d’Alésia at the Carrefour d’Alésia.” Miller often stopped here in the company of Alfred Perlès who recalled, “we dropped in here for an occasional vin blanc cassis, or a café arrosé rhum after dinner and before the cinema.”
One particular evening at the Bouquet d’Alésia stood out for Miller. Having stopped for a quick beer, he took a seat on the terrace which provided a view to stimulate his astrological interest:
I had just passed the Bouquet d’Alésia which faces the church and as there were still a few moments before closing time I saw no reason why I should not sit down on the terrace and enjoy a quiet beer all to myself. There was always a red glow about the church which fascinated me—and at the same time from where I sat I could look at my benevolent planet, Jupiter.
Whatever benevolence the planet offered would not be enough to protect Miller this evening. On returning to his studio in the Villa Seurat, he decided to climb up on the roof for another glimpse of Jupiter and fell from the ladder, crashing through a window of his apartment. He was badly bruised and covered in blood from the cuts, but managed to summon the help of a neighbor who rushed him to the American Hospital in Neuilly. Anaïs Nin spent the next ten days nursing him back to health.
Location
75 avenue du Général Leclerc
Paris, 75014
map
9 comments on "Le Bouquet d’Alésia"
“Le Bouquet”… unfortunately, forget it…
I have been their client for 35 years and I live in impasse du rouet, in one of Henri Miller’s place. “Le Bouquet” became a piece of shit, with ugly b…s owning it.
This is not my real name because I don’t want any spam.
Impasse du rouet is still the same, nice and cosy, and not so “rat” hole ! :-)
Yes, the bouquet is still a very nice place, maybe not as romantic as in the 30s but it’s still one of my favourite cafes in Paris. I would always prefer it over the Zeyer for example, which is just across the street.
I remember sitting there many nights and (if there is no construction site) you have a great view on the illuminated church at the Alesia intersection.
Hello just to inform you that they destroyed the Bouquet d’Alesia and the place is under work.
Not sure what it will be: a café, a shop,…
for information its a coffee
I was raised close to le bouquet, I now live in florida, is it still le bouquet or something else?
Not sure what it will be. I saw some white tiles all over walls.
Well, Le Bouquet d’Alesia is on the road again. New style, new look, etc. cheers
awesome i will see it in june
