Paris Revives Its Iconic Café Waiters’ Race

Paris brought back its legendary Café Waiters’ Race after a 12-year absence, turning the city’s streets into a celebration of French café culture.

Hundreds of waiters carried trays loaded with coffee, water, and croissants through a three-kilometer route past City Hall, the Pompidou Center, and along the Seine.

Strict rules required them to walk, not run, hold the tray with one hand, and avoid spilling or dropping anything.

The event attracted large crowds, including international visitors like Kathleen McNamara and Ray Bidegain from Portland, Oregon, who described waiters as “the essence of France.”

Among contestants was 25-year-old Victorine Derouet, new to the job but eager to take on a personal challenge.

The winner, 27-year-old Gibi Ndemane, credited his success to training.

Paris deputy mayor Nicolas Bonnet-Oulaldj emphasized that cafés and restaurants are “the soul of Paris internationally,” highlighting the cultural significance of reviving the event to honor a profession that defines the city’s global image.