Last time I was in Paris, I met up with my good French friend and host sister (from my study abroad days in college) who had recently scored an amazing apartment in Paris’ coveted Montmartre neighborhood.  When she asked where my husband and I would like to go for a drink, I responded that I wanted to visit her place and then go to her favorite bar or terrasse (outside seating area).  So, we hopped on the Métro and headed to the Anvers stop.  As we walked up the hill, past all of the fabric shops this area is known for among Parisians, Sacré Coeur glowed white and majestic above us. My French sister indulged our tourist instincts and encouraged us to stop for a photo op.

After a tour of her apartment and courtyard (yes, I was quite envious!), we decided to grab a drink and some light snacks on the lovely terrasse of L’été en pente douce, located at the top of rue Muller. This charming restaurant/tearoom opened in 1990 and is named after a 1987 Gerard Krawczyk film that is set in Montmartre.  I was immediately won over by the lively ambiance on la terrasse and the many locals who, according to my friend, frequented this spot.  The name L’été en pente douce is loosely translated as Summer on a gentle slope.

As I opened the menu, I was even more impressed. They had a healthy wine list and the prices were more than reasonable. We decided on a bottle of Breton cider (an homage to the time we had spent together in Rennes 9 years ago). There was a glass full of Japanese rice snacks in different flavors on our table that we promptly demolished. Our server was happy to bring us refills, gratuit (free). He was friendly and attentive, perhaps because our good friend is a self-proclaimed “regular.” For our second round, we shared bottle of La Treille Muscate at a very reasonable 15€.  We also ordered their cheese platter, a steal at 5.90€.

As a “recovering vegetarian,” I happened to notice that there were quite a few vegetarian options on the menu (a rarity in France). According to my friend, lunches and dinners at L’été en pente douce are as satisfying and reasonably priced as our cocktails and cheese platter. I look forward to my next stroll through Montmartre (hopefully sooner rather than later). I will be sure to stop by L’été en pente douce again, this time for a meal.

L’été en pente douce
23, rue Muller, Paris
France 75018 (Montmartre)
Phone: 01 42 64 02 67
Open 7 days a week from noon to 1am (later on some evenings).