Tabacs were also where you’d pick up phone cards back when public pay phones were still a thing. As an American kid in France, I couldn’t get over the fact that French pay phones only worked with prepaid cards, never coins. The phone booths were rarely in the tabac itself, so you’d dash across the street and step into a little glass box to make your call. A tiny adventure, and one I hadn’t thought about in years, until now. Thank you!
Very useful establishments, these. Thanks for the run-down. I've only once eaten in a café-tabac. It was about a decade ago near the Place Hoche in Versailles. It's gone now. In any case, it was a very simple meal of a roasted leg of chicken, frites, and some veggies, which I consumed at one of the handful of tables within view of the main counter. For the single-digit sum of euros that I paid, it was well worth it.
Sure wish I knew about Nickel when we were living there! 🙄❣️
How interesting about the origins! We had a great coffee at a tabac in the main square in Limoges just recently!
Loved this about Tabacs.. I look for them for answers about public transportation (Bus tickets & schedules) and more..
loved being in Paris w Annie in June💕
The scenes from the tabac in Amelie are great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT0bGB0eCpI
Yes absoluement!
Tabacs were also where you’d pick up phone cards back when public pay phones were still a thing. As an American kid in France, I couldn’t get over the fact that French pay phones only worked with prepaid cards, never coins. The phone booths were rarely in the tabac itself, so you’d dash across the street and step into a little glass box to make your call. A tiny adventure, and one I hadn’t thought about in years, until now. Thank you!
Oh, thank you for taking me down memory lane Pamela!
Very useful establishments, these. Thanks for the run-down. I've only once eaten in a café-tabac. It was about a decade ago near the Place Hoche in Versailles. It's gone now. In any case, it was a very simple meal of a roasted leg of chicken, frites, and some veggies, which I consumed at one of the handful of tables within view of the main counter. For the single-digit sum of euros that I paid, it was well worth it.
I’ve never eaten in a cafe tabac but you make it sound worth while!
Interesting article as usual. They have Cuban cigars? :)
Good question. They might!
Loved this about Tabacs.. I look for them for answers about public transportation (Bus tickets & schedules) and more..
loved being in Paris w Annie in June💕