In 2001, the Café became world-famous, when it was featured as the workplace of Amelie Poulain, the heroine of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s internationally acclaimed and wildly popular film Amelie. Today, you’ll find the Deux Moulins filled with a wide variety of patrons – and more often than not, with at least one person’s camera clicking away at its now-famous façade. We at Chicline had the chance to speak with Marc Fougedoire, the Café’s current owner, about fame, fortune, food, and just what it means to run a real Parisian café.

We at Chicline had the chance to speak with Marc Fougedoire, the Café’s current owner, about fame, fortune, food, and just what it means to run a real Parisian café.

Chicline: Can you tell us a little bit about The Café des Deux Moulins?

Marc Fougedoire: It’s a traditional Parisian café located at the bottom of the Butte Montmartre. The café opened its doors at the beginning of the 20th century, but the name ‘Café des Deux Moulins ‘ (‘Café of the Two Windmills’), dates only to the 1950’s. I’ve been the happy owner of the place for three years now.

Chicline: How did you become the owner of this café, which today is known around the world as the place where the titular heroine of Amélie worked ?

Marc F.: Three years ago, the café’s former owner wanted to sell it. I wanted to buy it, but because of its newfound reputation due to the film, I didn’t think I’d be able to afford it. Luckily, the owner wanted above all to give the café over to someone from the same background, that of Parisian café owners, a little world where everyone knows each other. And so, I was able to take over.

Chicline: What kind of clientele does the café attract ?

Marc F.: Mostly, it’s regulars from the the neighborhood. Tourists also make up a big part, because we’re located on the Butte Montmartre, a high-traffic area for tourism. What’s funny here is to see the way all of these people coexist together in the café, from the local grocer or butcher, with their gruff, no-frills looks, to, say, a group of nicely dressed Japanese tourists trembling with excitement over their café crèmes.

Chicline: In Amélie, the Deux Moulin’s clients are presented as a very eccentric bunch. Do you have any real-life clients like this ?

Marc F.: Yeah, it’s true that sometimes we get some odd-looking types, rough-looking customers, or really unique – let’s say, frankly bizarre – personalities, that you end up getting used to. I think this is because of the neighborhood….In any case, strange people are part of a café owner’s job.

Chicline: How did Amélie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet chose this café as the one where his main character worked ?

Marc F.: A few years ago, Jeunet lived right around the corner. And so, he knew the area well. For his film, he needed a Parisian café with a real soul to it, an ambiance, an authenticity. I think he must have fallen under the charm of our café.

Chicline: Do you have any stories to share with us about the shooting of the film here ?

Marc F.: Not really, because at that time, I wasn’t the owner yet. But someone told me this : a little after the movie’s release, a lot of tourists began to come visit the Café, as you can probably imagine. Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Jodie Foster, who were sitting at an outdoor table, finished eating and got up to leave. Just then, they were stopped by a young woman who asked them : ‘Could you please move over ? I’d like to take a picture of the Café.’ Pretty funny, huh ?

Chicline: In your opinion, what’s a Parisian place or neighborhood that absolutely shouldn’t be missed ?

Marc F.: Whatever Parisian neighborhood, whatever street or impasse where you feel good and where right away you feel like you’d really like to live. It’s all a question of affinities.

Chicline: What item would you recommend off the menu of the du Café des Deux Moulins?

Marc F.: The crème brûlée d’Amélie (Amélie crème brûlée) !

Chicline: The movie Amélie has given people a sort of familiarity and kind regard for your café. Do you feel this in the people who visit it ?

Marc F.: Yes, it’s true that you can feel this emotion from our clients, and it’s even more surprising when they come for the first time. We’re very proud of that.

Chicline: In conclusion, is there anything you’d like to add to encourage visitors to come to the Café des Deux Moulins ?

Marc F.: The Café des Deux Moulins is a true Parisian café that has a real soul to it. It’s a real café of the past, and this authenticity gives it a lot of charm. It’s visited by young people and by those who are less young. It’s a neighborhood café where people meet up at any hour of the day, and where you can take a nice pause before or after a walk on the Butte Montmartre.