“Anytime You Want, Take a Break to Paris” – Inside L’Experience Paris with Owner Julien Hervet

From morning croissants to late-night crêpes, L’Experience Paris invites you to savor an authentic slice of French culture right here in Downtown Bellevue.

If you’ve ever wished for a quick escape to Paris, L’Experience Paris is your ticket. Owner Julien Hervet built his Bellevue café to capture the charm, flavors, and leisurely pace of the City of Light — no passport required.

It all started with wine. When Hervet first moved to the Seattle area in 2007, he found himself missing the French wines he loved most. He began importing bottles for himself and friends but soon realized that enjoying good wine deserved the right setting.

“I started to import wine since I couldn’t find the wine that I wanted to get,” Hervet shared. “Then it snowballed into, well, if you have good wine, you want a place to enjoy it.”

That simple desire grew into a bigger vision: to create a space where guests could experience the rhythm of a Parisian day… right here in Bellevue.

The Bellevue café is designed to accompany guests from sunrise to sunset.

“The goal is to take you from whenever you wake up to when you go to bed,” Hervet said. “In the morning, you can come for a croissant, then as the day goes, you get brunch or lunch, afternoon tea, and late-night crêpes. Anytime you want, take a break to Paris.”

The menu is thoughtfully curated, blending classic French pastries and seasonal dishes. French flour, butter, and cheese are imported to maintain authenticity, while berries and vegetables come from local farmers – a mix of global flavor and local freshness.

One of the café’s most beloved offerings is L’Apéritif, a French-style happy hour available at all L’Experience Paris locations.

“In France, L’Apéritif is very sacred,” Hervet explained. “Before dinner, whether you’re at a restaurant or a friend’s house, you always have a glass of wine and a small appetizer. You never go right into dinner. L’Apéritif is a moment to be with friends.”

At the Bellevue location, this tradition flows seamlessly into something special, the café’s exclusive dinner menu, served Wednesday through Saturday. Guests can linger after their apéritif and enjoy a meal that captures the same authentic Parisian spirit.

This ritual perfectly captures Hervet’s mission to create not just a café, but a cultural experience: a place to slow down, connect and share good food and conversation.

For Hervet, authenticity is non-negotiable. “I really don’t want to cut corners,” he said. “We don’t ask for your passport when you walk in, but we want it to make it feel like you are in Paris.”

Whether you’re grabbing a flaky croissant on your way to work, savoring a glass of rosé with friends or enjoying a late-night crêpe, L’Experience Paris offers a little escape to the City of Light.

Visit L'Experience Website

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The Story Behind the Bears

Ever wondered about the giant teddy bears in L’Experience Paris stores? There is an interesting story behind it!

Inspired by a tradition in the Gobelins district of Paris, giant teddy bears began appearing in shop windows, cafés and even on balconies. The trend started when local bookseller Philippe Labourel placed oversized bears in his storefront, creating a whimsical display that soon spread throughout the neighborhood.

These bears became a source of joy and comfort, especially during the pandemic, bringing smiles to passersby.

Today, L’Experience Paris keeps that tradition alive. Next time you visit, look around and you might spot a bear sipping coffee, reading a book or “sharing” a glass of wine. They’re a little piece of Paris that Julien brought to the PNW.