LES ARCHES DE LA CITÉ

Presentation

And with your espresso… a book or a board game?

That’s the original and warm idea behind the cultural café Les Arches de la Cité. A charming and convivial space imagined by Prescilia Traisnel, 28, who won over the jury of the Open Carca 2025 competition, earning the 2nd Prize in the Emergence category.

From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is set: a riddle is written on a chalkboard in front of the café, and whoever solves it correctly leaves with a complimentary treat. Here, the goal is clear: to offer a space that blends relaxation, culture, and sharing. Customers can enjoy a coffee, tea, or any non-alcoholic drink while browsing a tastefully arranged reading corner or joining in lively board game sessions. Access to the games costs an additional €2 with a drink or €5 without.
The café boasts an impressive collection of over 1,200 books and more than 60 board games, making it a true haven for book lovers and gaming enthusiasts. Prescilia, who moved to the Aude region at the age of 4, had long nurtured various projects before finding the one that suited her perfectly. With a vocational certificate in hand, she initially dreamed of opening a bakery, but aware of the challenges of the trade, she ultimately created this cultural café concept while staying true to her passion for cooking.

She personally prepares many of the treats and dishes on offer: cookies, classic or gourmet kouign-amanns, madeleines, scones, spoon biscuits, as well as quiches, velouté soups, salads, or goat cheese and honey bites. The products are homemade or sourced from local producers, with a special emphasis on quality, including the use of organic flour.
With Les Arches de la Cité, Prescilia Traisnel has brought a dream to life: a vibrant, welcoming, and human space designed as a place for social connection, a remedy against loneliness and isolation, and a soothing alternative to the omnipresence of screens.