This legendary Parisian landmark hides an unexpected literary prize…

Some places have a soul, others a memory. Le Wepler has both. Leaning against the Place Clichy since 1881, this century-old brasserie has become much more than a simple gourmet address. At the crossroads between Montmartre and Pigalle, it embodies an entire section of Parisian cultural life.

A lively setting, a flamboyant past

From its very beginnings, the Wepler was more than just a drinking establishment: it was an artistic and festive complex. Grill, American bar, dance hall… And above all, an extraordinary clientele. Apollinaire, Picasso, Modigliani and Toulouse-Lautrec all stopped off here. Even Henry Miller set the action of his famous Jours tranquilles à Clichy here.

Even today, this brasserie retains the verve of its era, enriched by an Art Deco ambience, a covered terrace and modern frescoes by Mathilde Jonquière. Far from the staid decor, you can breathe life into the place, that of well-stocked plates… and well-written pages.

The Prix Wepler – Fondation La Poste: a literary breath of fresh air

Few restaurants can boast the birth of a major literary event. The Prix Wepler – Fondation La Poste, created in 1998 by the Abbesses bookshop, has become a landmark in the French literary landscape. Each year, the prize is awarded to two authors: a main prizewinner, and a special mention for literary audacity.

With a rotating jury, this prize avoids the “entre-soi” approach. It promotes off-the-beaten-track voices, often overlooked by commercial logic. 50 prizewinning authors, 500 partner bookshops, €325,000 in sponsorship later, the ambition remains intact: to bring literature back to the center of the cultural debate.

A popular brewery… and a demanding one

While the place attracts literary critics and publishers, it also attracts a clientele of local residents, tourists andregulars from the provinces. The generous menu features sauerkraut, ultra-fresh seafood, organic eggs mayo and flambéed crepes Suzette. An all-inclusive €40 menu (aperitif, main course, dessert and wine) is available alongside weekday formulas costing less than €20. The house remains true to its DNA: well-executed, affordable brasserie cuisine, served non-stop from 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends.

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