Say ‘bonjour’ to this tiny neighborhood packed with croissants, wine, French language classes and more Parisian charm.
Photograph: By James Andrews1 / Shutterstock
Manhattan’s magic is that within a tiny island, dozens of micro-communities welcome the hordes of people and cultures that make the city unique—from downtown’s Chinatown, with its pulled noodles and dumpling shops, to uptown’s Little Dominican Republic filled with restaurants serving up island cuisine. Manhattan is also home to Little Italy, Little Brazil, Little Tokyo, Ukrainian Village, Koreatown, El Barrio, and many more.
But until recently, French culture didn’t have a concentrated spot on the map. The founders of the local French language school Coucou, Léa and Marianne Perret, are working to change that. They’ve christened their nook of Nolita with a handpainted sign reading “Little Paris" and are working to officially rename the neighborhood. Even moreso, they're striving to bring together a community of French businesses, Francophiles, and Francophones in Lower Manhattan. Find Little Paris on Centre Street, between Broome and Grand Street. Even the stars of Emily in Paris have hung out in this neighborhood, and if it's Chef Gabriel-endorsed, you know it's legit.
Interestingly, the lack of a specified space for Francophiles in Manhattan wasn't always the case. In the late 19th Century, Soho had its own French Quarter, as chronicled in an 1879 issue of Scribner's Monthly: "The people are nearly all French. French too is the language of the signs over the doors and in the windows."
Today, more than 60,000 French citizens and over 81,000 French speakers live in New York. While French influences can be found all across the city—from Villa Albertine on the Upper East Side to Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill—this concentrated hub in Manhattan makes for a new and exciting moment.
Ready to dive into the Paris-within-Manhattan? Here are a few French businesses in Little Paris to check out whether you're celebrating the Paris Olympics or just saying "oui" to a French experience without crossing the pond.
Step inside this charming townhouse to "apprendre à parler français." Coucou offers group French classes in levels tailored from newbies through language enthusiasts.
Those unwilling to commit to the curriculum, however, can sign up for weekly events, like yoga in French, book club, baking lessons, creative or academic writing workshops and more.
Post a photo of a chocolate almond croissant at the rustically appointed bakery and you could easily fool followers into believing you’re in Paris. This bakery and secret garden backyard whisks visitors away from downtown chaos with a welcome amount of butter, flaky pastry and shady outdoor space.
While this popular cafe now boasts more than a dozen locations across Manhattan, the Little Paris spot will always feel extra special.
This quaint and charming wine bar offers a calm space to sip French wines. Those who want to learn more about wine can enroll in wine bootcamp workshops covering everything from natural wine, to tasting various French regions like Provence, Beaujolais and beyond.
The space also offers enviable swag, plus curated bottle selections to taste at home, accompanied with suggested recipes and playlists, to continue the French experience from the comfort of your couch.
With locations in St. Barths and The Hamptons, this French gallery boasting a well-curated selection of affordable artwork, as well as home decor, books, and accessories is indeed tres chic. Here, you’re not just splurging on a mohair throw, but investing in le français mode de vie.
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