Special edition of the Course des cafés, with new features!

Every year, Paris pays tribute to its cafés, waiters and waitresses with a fun and historic event: the Course des cafés. This year, 2025, marks a special edition, rich in symbolism and open to the general public for the first time.

What is the Course des cafés?

The Course des cafés (formerly ” Course des garçons de café” ) is a competition born in the early XXᵉ century, organized by the City of Paris and Eau de Paris, in partnership with the hotel and restaurant trade organizations (UMIH, GHR). It showcases the skill, balance and speed of waiters and waitresses, who have to cover an urban route carrying a tray loaded with a coffee, a glass of water and a croissant, without spilling anything. The challenge: keep the tray intact while walking at high speed (running is not allowed).

The event celebrates not only an often overlooked profession, but also the Parisian art of living, service excellence and the culture of cafés and bistros, recently listed as an intangible cultural heritage site.

Edition 2025: open to all, symbolic and joyful

On Sunday September 21, 2025, the Course des cafés returns to the streets of the Marais. The race will start and finish at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. For the first time, a “general public” category is proposed. In fact, 150 places will be available for non-professionals who want to enjoy the festive experience.

The route is around 4 kilometers long, through the historic heart of the Marais district. Participants will wear the traditional service costume – white top, black bottoms, apron – and must keep their items intact on the stage. Two separate races are organized: one for professionals, the other for apprentices/trainees (and now the general public).

Why go there?

This event is an opportunity to celebrate essential professions with fresh eyes. It provides a better understanding of the daily challenges faced by waiters and waitresses: balance, speed, precision. On a symbolic level, the race is part of a heritage, cultural and ecological approach. This year, the focus is on enhancing the value of Paris water, reducing the use of single-use plastic, and linking up with the intangible heritage of café bistros.

For the public, it’s a lively, festive and convivial spectacle. Cheer on the participants, experience a joyful atmosphere, enjoy the entertainment in the village set up on the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, and discover the cafés along the route.

Practical info

• When: Sunday, September 21, 2025, morning (between 9:00 and 15:00 depending on departures)
• Where: Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris, then a tour of the Marais district
• Route: approx. 4 km for the 2025 edition. Tray with coffee, glass of water and croissant in hand, no spills
• Categories: professionals, apprentices/trainees, and general public (150 places)
• Public: open to professionals and apprentices for many years. In 2025, the general public can also take part in the dedicated category.