She remembers coming across the removal truck that was dropping off new square tables with a nice look 7 years ago. She had slalomed between the tables on the pavement and was amused when she heard the accent of the man who seemed to be the new boss of this mythical place. It was grey over Paris and it was like a ray of sunshine suddenly seeping into this little street in Isly.

A few weeks later, she had read in a magazine that an Aveyronnais man was coming to Paris to relaunch Louis Aragon’s coffee. And that’s how they had met Aymeric, just arrived from his beloved Aveyron, cicadas, hills and recipes full to the head. Above all, he had a real passion for relationships. Not the « Public Relations » as they often say, but the real relations, those which weave bonds, which make that in his company, the customers feel immediately at ease. They had spent a number of evenings with friends after work, before going back to their suburban train, when they lived in Ermont. Lovers’ evenings, after long journeys through Paris, too, especially since they lived on the tops of Paris.

And yes, Le Certa, without you noticing it, they saw you growing up, taking your first steps. They have seen you assert yourself, they have discovered your true personality until you have become a place where you can fully recharge your batteries in Paris. They have seen the small team grow, become more professional while keeping a good-natured spirit. This is normal, since you are only 7 years old. It is said that at 7 years old, you reach the age of reason, but we sincerely hope that you will never become totally reasonable. We hope that behind these walls, Parisians will always find, as if by magic, that little unreasonable look which suits you so well and which everyone appreciates so much.

This evening, they came to taste some of the flagship recipes of the place because there is talk of reconfinement. They were there, by the way, at the exit of the first confinement! Tonight, they are here because they want to wish you a very happy birthday!

On the way down, they took a trip to the Cour du Louvre, which in the early evening looks somewhat reserved.

The lighting fixtures are well aligned, play with a thousand lights and offer the arcades a field of reflections like no other.

In the middle of the courtyard, the Pyramid rises in all its splendour and illuminates the courtyard through its small glass tiles.

They put down their bikes and took the time to savour the spectacle of these centuries-old stones which give so much charm to the City of Lutetia.

They then decided to pass in front of the Opera House, knowing that for some time they were going to be slammed again within a radius of one kilometre.

Soon after, they arrived in front of the St Lazare station and put down their two bikes, at the corner opposite the RER entrance, just under the clock hanging around the corner.

They rushed down the street in one direction only to find themselves in two minutes in front of the 5 de la rue de l’Isly.

On the ground floor of a charming Haussmann-style building, in which Victor Hugo lived, they were immediately warmly welcomed by Jurgen, Mafalda, the two Maxime and Aymeric, each as charming as the other.

After having a drink or two, they savoured the recipes of the place. These recipes will transport you in no time at all to the land of dreams, far away from the bad news of the present day, in a land where crickets sing and where the landscape stretches as far as the eye can see. A drink shared on a corner of the table, friendship exchanged, and here is enough to spend a great evening. On the other side of the room, she sees the mythical tables and thinks that they have seen slices of life pass by. The team is busy serving the many customers who have wanted to meet here to have a good time. The interior between grey and taupe, with its multiple indirect lighting immediately brings an air of relaxation.

The slates that are hung here and there on the walls show the attention that is paid here to the well-being of the guests. Here, as the small panel in the corner reminds us, we like to drink a toast to friendship, to take our time, to dream of a better world, to laugh without limits, to simply live what!

Water carafes sit enthroned on the tables alongside all sorts of drinks, while the mythical strawberry tiramisu accompanied by the lost brioche with salted butterscotch caramel arrives.

And there, all she has to do is bring the spoon to her lips and close her eyes to rediscover the days of her 7th birthday when, as a little girl, she savoured her parents’ French toast.

Aymeric, Mafalda and Maxime are concentrated around the counter.

The beer pumps are well aligned because here there is no laughing with the drink or the food. Jurgen, Maxime and Mafalda run around to please everyone. Ramashankar and Kolly are faithful to the kitchen to work and prepare the dishes that will delight the taste buds of the customers.

And this is how, after having recharged their batteries with the energy of friendship, of time that cannot be counted and that can be shared ad infinitum, they set off again on their faithful pedals towards the heights of Paris, where it is said that a famous Lion descends from his pedestal at night to survey the streets of his district of Denfert.

Full and satisfied, they take a short break on the Place de la Concorde to admire the splendid fountains and watch the lights of the lampposts dancing in the water of the pools.

In the distance the Grande Dame dominates the Pont Alexandre III and sends light signals to Parisians lost in the night. The Seine has reflections of all colours like a range of gradations washed away by the waters.

Stopped at the red light in front of the National Assembly, they take advantage of the calm that gently descends on the city while behind the TV screens in their flats, Parisians discover that they are once again entering confinement.

Par Nathalie

Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)