Chez Prune is a recommended cafe for people in the area of the Canal Saint Martin. It is painted to look extremely arty and cute. Take pictures. The place is photogenic. Prices are extremely reasonable compared to other cafes. You get good value for the money. All sorts of "guides to Paris" mention Chez Prune. * * * Now for the stuff they don't tell you in the guides. None of this makes Chez Prune better or worse. It is still a place to visit. 1) It is on the Canal Saint Martin. 2) The Canal Saint Martin used to be grungy, dirty and awful. The canal itself has been cleaned up and the area has been gentrified. The Canal Saint Martin is now cool. 3) Nine million young people show up at the Canal Saint Martin every weekend if it is sunny. They hang out all day at the canal picnicking and drinking. They are young artsy student-y creative types. This is the perfect place for a meet-cute. The Canal itself only has low stone walls to sit on. The Canal Saint Martin may be scenic but it is NOT comfortable. The young people spend all day there with their wine and their company. The young people there must have the toughest butts in the world. 4) WCs on the Canal Saint Martin are few and far between. They have a handful of male pissoirs. With the new feminism, they now have female pissoirs. (These are not wonderful if you are shy.) If you have to poop ... Well maybe you can get back home. And even if all you have to do is pee - There are lots and lots and lots of young people picnicking on the canal. There are not very many pissoirs - and only half of those are for your particular gender. (Being non-binary would really help here.) So armies of people have to pee (or poop) and they have to get off the canal to do so. So they all flood the local cafes. They pay for their coffee or they pay for their beer. And they head straight for the toilettes. 5) Enter Chez Prune. Chez Prune is crowded anyway. But the line to the toilet far exceeds what you would expect from the crowd in the cafe. Chez Prune has one and only one seat. There is a lot of patience and desperation in that line. 6) Any jokes you want to make about the name "Chez Prune" given the overall situation are strictly up to you. * * * I love the Canal Saint Martin which is a beautiful place with spectacular views. I love Chez Prune - which is beautiful, artistic and a fine place to hang out. There is a front half near the canal and a back half with an urban street view. All of the plumbing drama up near the front half with the canal. Sit in the back and enjoy a wonderful French cafe. Sit in the front and enjoy the Human Comedy.

Sucha nice vibe right on the canal. I've been here for lunch and for drinks and both experiences were fantastic. There's a ton of vegetarian options, and the wine and coffee are both great. It's definitely a popular spot at all hours so come prepared for that. In my opinion sitting outside is the ideal option, but the inside is cozy and has fun decorations so you can't go wrong. The toilet area is tiny but I find that charming tbh.

What a great intro to Paris! Oysters out front and a small menu with energetic hosts! Amazing bar and amazing feeling. True Paris!

Good place for a group at night to grab a drink near the canal. Loud inside, but that's because everyone is talking and having a good time!

I loved the sample meat, baguette platter (I know it had a name... I don't Remember it). Good happy hour specials. Would return.

This is a wonderful little cafe with an abundance of charm and character. It holds a special place in our lives as it has been a meeting point over the years for lifelong friends from around the world. Food is good, Coffee and drink are also good as well as warm and receptive service. It is the perfect place to take a rest, a drink and enjoy the local ambiance.

Always busy place by the Canal. No menus - all drinks written up on different chalkboards inside and outside. Good and friendly vibe.

One of the best hot chocolates of Paris. Some friends and I went here after walking around the nearby arrondissements for some break time. The entrance was through a big fancy curtain past some doors so that was very unique for a restaurant/café. The place was packed and we had 6 people but they made room for us. The manager and staff were very friendly people. We all got drinks with me getting hot chocolate (€3). There's not much to say when it's only a drink besides that it was one of the best hot chocolates that I've got in Paris so far. Its served in a nice small mug with cocoa powder all over the whip cream that's to the brim of the mug. Optional sugar and of course you have your stirring spoon. I'd come back here if I was in the area!

Go for lunch and stay for afternoon drinks. Their lunch menu changes constantly and is always delicious. I would recommend going on a sunny day and sit out on the pavement in front of the canal. A great place for an evening drink too especially during the summer when you can watch everyone sitting by the canal. Food has always been good - been a few times now and the wine is cheap and cheerful, great for a fun date night (they only serve charcuterie or cheese plates at night). In the winter sit at the bar and drink wine with friends and talk with the waiters.