Driving for Dinner: Café de Paris in Gravelbourg
In the town of Gravelbourg, there’s a café on Main Street known for both its charm and menu: Café de Paris. It’s aptly named, given the town’s French roots and the fact that owner Andre Chevrier modelled it on a typical Parisian café.
“There weren’t really any coffee shops around at the time when we opened,” Chevrier said. “I had the idea because I had been to France a number of times, so I liked the concept of having a café like the ones in France. Having the patio is also a real hit for the café – that’s exactly what you have in France. People love the patio and the environment, and they always say they feel like they are at a café in Europe, or in a different world.”
photo credit Cafe de Paris
photo credit Cafe de Paris
Of course, there’s always decadent desserts available, including favourites like croissants and cheesecake, which are perfect for enjoying after dinner, or alongside a glass of wine or a warm drink. Additionally, Café de Paris plays host to events like Open Mic Night with local musicians throughout the year, and has set dinner menus for special occasions – New Year’s Eve featured a chicken cordon bleu meal with limited seating, for example.
photo credit Cafe de Paris
Chevrier also owns the gift shop next door, Styles for Home, which specializes in home décor and goods, such as kitchenware, garden accessories, gifts, clothing and more.
“There’s a whole variety of items at Styles for Home, and I try to look for things that are unusual or different,” he said. “We also have a large selection of locally made products.”
Locally made goods include Gravelbourg Gourmet Mustard, handmade soaps, candles, jewelry and more. The gift shop-café combination makes Gravelbourg an ideal destination to stop for a meal, a browse and a touch of Paris too.
Make it a day trip
Turn a meal at Café de Paris into a day trip and explore what the Gravelbourg area has to offer.
What to see/do
Just a short walk from Café de Paris is Flippin’ Vintage, where you’ll find plenty of handmade gift items, plus unique furniture that has been refreshed, refinished and given a second life. Its hours change, so check Facebook in advance for the latest opening information. Also down the street is Artistic Creations, which is an arts and crafts store that sells handmade goods. It also offers creative classes in a variety of mediums, including stained glass, pottery, watercolour painting and leather tooling. Check out the Gravelbourg Artisan Co-op for one of the local artisan events it hosts throughout the year, including member showcases and sales, and the annual Secret Garden Outdoor Market in summer. Visit Facebook for dates on all upcoming events.
photo supplied by the Town of Gravelbourg
Gravelbourg is well-known as the home of the Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral Notre Dame de l'Assomption, which is a historic and stunning co-cathedral built over 100 years ago. It’s also a designated national historic site. If you’d like to learn more about the building and check out the inside, you can always call ahead and book a tour.
Bonus points
photo credit Bo Ruzicka
Just a 45-minute drive from Gravelbourg is the town of Assiniboia, which is home to the Shurniak Art Gallery. The gallery houses the private art collection of the late William “Bill” Shurniak, who grew up in Limerick, SK, and features both Canadian and international pieces. Check out its events, including classes and artist talks, plus grab a bite to eat from Fresh Start, the in-house cafe.
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Café de Paris is located at 306 Main Street in Gravelbourg, SK. For more information and hours, visit Facebook. It currently has COVID-19-specific hours, so check ahead. Café de Paris and one of its recipes will also be featured in Naomi Hansen’s forthcoming book, Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries. Visit www.naomihansen.ca for more information.
Author: Naomi Hansen
