Train Station Turned Brunch Spot
- 124 Av. du Général Leclerc ,
- 75014 Paris
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There have been a few reinventions of former stations along the old Parisian belt railway, the Petite Ceinture, probably most famously Le REcyclerie at Porte de Clignancourt. But right at the opposite end of Paris, near Porte d’Orleans in the 14th Arrondissement, lies my personal favorite repurposed train station: Poinçon.
Maybe it is my imagination, but I feel it is the prettiest old station building of them all, maybe bar ANDIA, formerly known as La Gare.
Opened in 1867 as Gare de Montrouge, the line closed in 1934, and the station house laid empty for some 74 years, until it was rescued by the Save the Petite Ceinture Association, and the building was opened as Poinçon in 2019.
Today, it is a normal restaurant during the week with lunch and dinner seatings, but on Sundays it turns into a fabulous Paris brunch destination which draws queues outside before the opening time of 11am, even though you need to book ahead.
And, once inside you can certainly see why it’s popular.
There are two floors with tables — sit upstairs on the mezzanine floor looking out over the stage, if you can. Below, the bar counter is set up with a generous spread for Sunday brunch.
The buffet offers numerous fresh breads, from baguette to still-warm German rye bread, croissants to pains au chocolat, plus a vast selection of charcuterie, cheese, and salads.
The hot breakfast and brunch options include poached and scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, potatoes, and mushrooms, all to be followed by rather tempting, and succumbed to sweet goodies, from sticky brownies to mini muffins filled with dulce de leche, which are simply to die for.
Opposite is the drinks corner, allowing you to enjoy bottomless coffee, tea, juices, water, and, of course, the inevitable Aperol Spritz and other alcoholic choices.
So far, so good. But come midday, and the small stage in front of the gorgeous arched windows, is taken over by, during my visit, a duo playing the most delectable samba music. Him on guitar, her singing, jazzy, soulful, perfect music to sit and eat, and chat with friends by.
At 35€ per person without alcohol, it might not be the cheapest brunch, but you can linger forever. And unlike most Parisian brunches where courses are dictated, you can keep coming back for more — especially more mini muffins.
So, if you’re looking for a relaxing Paris brunch in a cool, historic setting accompanied by some fabulous live music, look no further than Poinçon!
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