Berlin and France have had a close relationship for centuries. Around the year 1700, around a quarter of Berlin'shad French relatives inside, After the Second World War, the French occupation had a formative influence on Berlin's cityscape and in 2024, with a little luck, the French national team will reach the final of the UEFA EURO 2024. So it's high time to give our EURO guests an overview of the French highlights in Berlin!
Tip 1: Enjoy French cuisine in Berlin's top restaurants
With the resounding successes that the French national team is enjoying in German stadiums, some France fans are probably extending their stay in Germany. But don't worry: this doesn't mean that only potatoes, boulettes and sauerkraut will be on the menu until the final. Because upmarket French cuisine has one or two mainstays in Berlin that are well worth a visit. The Paris Bar on Kantstraße has been a favourite haunt of stars and starlets in Charlottenburg for decades. And the 3 Minutes Sur Mer is also an extremely popular place among Francophile Berliners. From oysters to steak frites and crème brûlée, everything is on offer here - and who knows, you might even bump into a footballer or two!
When: 3 Minutes Sur Mer - Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight / Paris Bar - Monday to Sunday from 12pm to 1am
Where: 3 Minutes Sur Mer, Torstraße 167, Mitte / Paris Bar, Kantstraße 152, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: Experience original French culture at the Institut Français Berlin and the Cinema Paris
The Institut Français is the place to go when it comes to French culture, literature and language in Berlin. As a place of Franco-German friendship and cultural exchange, the institute was founded in West Berlin in 1950. Today, it hosts all kinds of events that bring French savoir vivre to Berlin. Literary readings, political events, language courses and theatre performances are the order of the day. The building is also home to the popular Cinema Paris, a cinema for European and French films that offers many screenings in the original language. Look forward to a French afternoon in West Berlin!
Tip: Public Viewing at the Institut Francais - also for the UEFA EURO 2024 final
When: Institut Français Berlin - different opening hours depending on the event / Cinema Paris - Monday to Sunday from 3 to 9 pm
Where: Institut Français Berlin, Kurfürstendamm 211, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Keep your finger on the French pulse at the Centre Français de Berlin
With the Centre Français de Berlin, the capital has a second French cultural address on offer for you. The cultural centre in Wedding has been committed to Franco-German friendship and European cohesion since it was founded. Various courses, events and conferences on exciting topics take place here. And, of course, a European Championship programme is also offered here: You can cheer on your team in front of the open-air screen while enjoying a fresh draught beer. A fitting occasion to explore the former French sector of Berlin!
When: Opening hours depending on the event
Where: Centre Français de Berlin, Müllerstraße 74, Wedding
Tip 4: Visit the Eiffel Tower's little brother
We can't promise that a visit to the Berlin Exhibition Centre will cure your homesickness. But it's definitely worth a try. Because the little brother of the most famous Parisian landmark is waiting for you here: The Berlin Radio Tower. The architect Heinrich Straumer actually copied the plans for its construction from the Eiffel Tower. Since its grand opening in 1926, the radio tower has lost some of its international relevance, but is still worth a visit almost a hundred years later. In its day, the "Lange Lulatsch" was considered a technical marvel and it is still a favourite excursion destination, because the view from the top is simply fantastic.
When: Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 10pm
Where: Hammarskjöldplatz 1, Westend
Tip 5: Feast your way through original French delicatessens
There is probably no better way to celebrate football success than with a sumptuous feast. Whether with friends in your own living room or on a picnic blanket in the park - in this wonderful July weather, there are no limits to where you can go. And you don't have to miss out on original French ingredients either, because Berlin has plenty of addresses when it comes to French delicacies! Throw your shopping bag over your shoulder and head to Maître Philippe & Filles in Wilmersdorf or Le Flo in Prenzlauer Berg where you'll find everything to tantalise the French palate. Saucissons, pâtés, confits, cassoulets and much more. The next public viewing can come!
When: Maître Philippe & Filles - Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm / Le Flo - Tuesday to Friday from 1pm to 7.30pm and Saturday from 11am to 4pm
Where: Maître Philippe & Filles, Emser Str. 42, Wilmersdorf / Le Flo, Husemannstraße 16, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 6: Sip café au lait at La Maison on the Landwehr Canal
The Landwehr Canal is no longer an insider tip in Berlin. It flows through Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Tiergarten and Charlottenburg and brings a maritime flair to Berlin. On sunny days, you could almost think that the entire city is frolicking along its banks. And so the French café La Maison on Kreuzberg's Paul-Lincke-Ufer has found the perfect location. It's a great place to sit under a dense canopy of leaves and the menu ranges from refreshing drinks to all kinds of coffee and delicious pastries. And when you've finished your drink, the French Berlin experience continues straight away: you can dream yourself away on a long walk along the banks of the Seine! Monday to Thursday from 7am to 7pm, Friday from 7am to 10pm, Saturday from 8am to 10pm and Sunday from 8am to 8pm
Where: La Maison, Paul-Lincke-Ufer 17, Kreuzberg
Tip 7: Experience French boulangerie art at Aux Delices Normands
For a successful start to the day, you need a hearty petit déjeuner. So how about a typically French croissant from Aux Delices Normands? The French boulangerie and patisserie has been spoiling Berliners with its delicacies since 1995. Numerous sweet and savoury specialities pass over the counter here every day and turn hungry guests into satisfied connoisseurs. So let's get going, because there's one thing you shouldn't forget with all this sport on the big screen: Watching such nerve-wracking games can be quite exhausting. So keep your blood sugar levels stable with French pastries - before and after the game!
When: Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 6pm, Saturday from 6.30am to 2pm and Sunday from 7.30am to 4pm
Where: Aux Delices Normands, Neue Kantstraße 26, Charlottenburg
Tip 8: Prepare for the evening's ball sport with a game of boules
France is a European leader in sport, as the European Football Championship proves. Our neighbours also excel in the Tour de France, on the ski slopes and on sailing boats. But alongside all this sporting excellence, one thing must not be forgotten: The cosy game of boules is somehow considered an unofficial national sport. And not without good reason. After all, the game of boules requires just as much precision and stamina as its more action-packed relatives, while still leaving time for conversation and fun. So if you don't want to get out of practice during your stay in Berlin, you can prove yourself at the boules courts in front of Charlottenburg Palace or in the park at Gleisdreieck.
When: Around the clock
Where: Charlottenburg Palace, Spandauer Damm 10-22, Charlottenburg / Park am Gleisdreieck, Möckernstraße 26, Kreuzberg
Find more boules locations here
Tip 9: Enjoy Parisian flair in Berlin
If Parisian cafés and restaurants are known for one thing, it's their unique flair. In the French capital, the many cozy seating areas in front of the restaurants make an important contribution to this. After all, what could be better than watching the city go by with a cool drink in your hand? That's exactly what you can do here with us at French-inspired hotspots in the west of Berlin such as Café Manzini or Restaurant Bostich in Wilmersdorf. The latter even impresses with its typically French décor: circular red tables exude Parisian flair!
When: Restaurant Bostich - Monday to Friday from 5pm to midnight, Saturday from 4pm to midnight and Sunday from 4pm to 9.30pm / Café Restaurant Manzini - Monday to Sunday from 8am to 1am
Where: Restaurant Bostich, Ludwigkirchstraße 10A, Wilmersdorf / Café Restaurant Manzini, Ludwigkirchstraße 11, Wilmersdorf
Tip 10: Browse through French literature
To pass the time between European Championship matches, at half-time or to be able to fall asleep at all in the evening after all the excitement: The right book is also an important companion during the European Championships. If you have forgotten your favourite book at home or have already finished reading it, we have the right address for you. The French bookshop ZADIG is a mecca for lovers of French literature. Here you will find books from all genres and eras on 137 square metres. Happy browsing!
When: Monday from 2pm to 7pm, Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm
Where: ZADIG, Gipsstraße 12, Mitte
Tip 11: Float on cloud nine with French wine and cheese
Cheese and wine go just as well together as foot and ball - if not better. You can put this theory to the test for yourself at La Cantine d'Augusta in Schöneberg. The small, fine delicatessen specialises in French cheese and wine and brings unparalleled enjoyment to the area around Kleistpark. Take a stroll through the streets of Schöneberg, which are almost reminiscent of Paris in some places. Your trip to the Cantine d'Augusta will convince you of this!
When: Tuesday to Saturday from 4.30 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm
Where: La Cantine d'Augusta, Langenscheidtstraße 6A, Schöneberg
