In the bustling heart of Paris, far from the Eiffel Tower's shadow, a new kind of magic is brewing. It's not found in guidebooks but within the quiet, intimate walls of a unique café where patrons are connecting with their future selves, one handwritten letter at a time.
A Portal in Time on a Parisian Street
Nestled at 38 rue du Faubourg du Temple in the city's vibrant 11th arrondissement, Cafe Pli opened its doors in July 2024. Founded by Geneviève Landsmann, it draws inspiration from Seoul's Nuldam Space and stands as the first café in Europe entirely dedicated to the art of writing letters to the future.
The concept is beautifully straightforward yet profoundly moving. Visitors step in, order a coffee or another drink, and settle down with provided stationery. The goal is singular: to write a message that will travel through time. These letters are deeply personal capsules, containing unfulfilled dreams, heartfelt confessions, hopeful reminders, or solemn promises meant for the person one will become.
The Ritual of Sealing and Sending Time
The experience is deliberately tactile and nostalgic, offering a stark contrast to our digital age. Once the writing is complete, the letter is sealed the old-fashioned way—with melted wax from a candle. The café supplies everything needed: postcards, envelopes, pens, pencils, stickers, and colourful wax seals, ensuring each letter feels like a cherished keepsake.
After sealing, the envelope finds its temporary home in the café's distinctive "post wall," where every day of the year has a designated slot. The writer selects the exact future date for delivery, and the café staff takes on the responsibility of ensuring it is mailed on that precise day. You then walk away, leaving a fragment of your present self patiently waiting in the years ahead.
Pricing and the Promise of Safe Delivery
The service is priced based on how long Cafe Pli safeguards your letter. The cost includes your beverage and all necessary stationery.
- Storage and delivery for up to one year costs €15 (approximately ₹1,500).
- For a five-year wait, the fee is €25 (around ₹2,400).
- To send a message two decades into the future, the price is €45 (roughly ₹4,300).
If you need to update your delivery address later, a fee of €10 (about ₹1,000) applies. For international delivery outside France, an additional charge of €4 (approximately ₹400) is required.
A crucial and reassuring detail for anyone entrusting their future self with intimate thoughts: the café has a contingency plan. Even if Cafe Pli were to close, the team guarantees that all letters will be securely kept and delivered by a responsible person, ensuring no words are ever lost to time.
In a metropolis celebrated for its relentless pace and timeless beauty, Cafe Pli carves out a rare space for introspection. It invites everyone to pause, reflect, and engage in a meaningful conversation with the person they are still in the process of becoming.
