You almost have to know it's there to find it. And yet, for over thirty years, the Pouya Franco-Iranian Cultural Center has been one of those hidden gems in Paris, where people come as much to sit down as to travel. At its helm is Abbas Bakhtiari, a composer and musician who has been in exile in France since 1983, who envisioned a place that goes far beyond just a tea salon.
With passion and dedication, he weaves a bridge between French and Iranian cultures. Here, you come in for a cup of tea... and sometimes stay much longer than planned. Some come to work, others to browse through a Persian library, while many gather with family around a simple plate of food. Pouya is, above all, a living space that is open, welcoming, and profoundly human.
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A Tea Room with Enveloping Softness
Behind the door, the bustling Parisian scene disappears. Persian rugs, wooden benches, embroidered poufs, and traditional instruments hanging on the walls create a space that invites you to let go. People speak softly, almost naturally, as if the place imposes its own rhythm.
Service arrives on large metal trays: saffron tea accompanied by sweet treats, fragrant milk tea with honey and cinnamon, carrot juice, ice creams, or cookies. A special mention goes to the quince, orange blossom, and dried lemon infusion, a true signature of the place, both delicate and comforting. Each drink feels like an invitation to slow down, to settle in, to breathe differently.
A vibrant cultural center open to everyone
But Pouya doesn’t just stop at its fragrant teas. Going down to the basement, you’ll find a large hall dedicated to cultural and community activities. Courses in traditional Iranian instruments (daf, tar, setar, ney), Persian dance, and more await!sane, yoga, artistic workshops, readings, film screenings, poetry, theater… and even, surprisingly, charleston dance classes.
The place also hosts festivals and regular events, transforming the space into a true cultural laboratory. You might spot Abbas, often settled in a corner of the lounge, reading or sharing a meal with the regulars. This simplicity adds to the spirit of the place: here, culture is not stagnant; it is experienced, it flows, it is shared.
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In a neighborhood where everything rushes by, Pouya offers a breath of fresh air. A discreet, almost secret address that definitely deserves a visit for a tea break... or for a little journey.