This post is courtesy of one of WinExtra Forums longest standing members, and friend, Pierre. When I heard that Microsoft would be opening a Windows Cafe in Paris I jokingly asked Pierre if he could get some pictures of it for us – well he did, and he has our thanks.

There’s a Microsoft Café in Paris, France.

Located at 47, boulevard de Sébastopol the Microsoft café was opened only 2 days ago, on the same day Windows 7 became available for purchase in the computer shops.

As you can see from the outside, it’s rather nondescript . In addition, on a Saturday I expected to see a crowded sidewalk, which is hardly the case. Of course the location is pretty much off the beaten path, for all that it’s centrally placed in the city. Furthermore, there wasn’t a lot of buzz about its opening, there wasn’t even a mention of it in the various newsletters I’m subscribed to (which include several from Microsoft). It looks very much as though Microsoft wanted it to go unnoticed; I’d say they succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

Coming inside (top picture), the place is just as unimpressive as it is from the outside. For something sponsored by Microsoft, it look pretty small, and the counter where they sell soft drinks and junk food (bottom picture) looks like it’s not fully operational yet. As the pictures show, the place is far from crowded.

There’s a fake fireplace at the far end of the ground floor, just a log fire displayed on a big (approximately 42″) flat screen. The overall mood is pretty subdued, the few people who managed to grab one of the computers on display aren’t making a sound. On the side of the fireplace, beneath the staircase and behind a movable screen (so I couldn’t take a picture) is a DJ’s setup, so presumably there’s music here at times – or there will be – or it’s all make believe

Going upstairs (10 steps) you’re welcomed by a foot-high rabbit (top picture) made of plastic or ceramic, I’m not sure. I’m not sure either what its connection with Microsoft products may be <g> In the corridor where some computers are on display, the wall is decorated (?) with some “art” (bottom picture); OK, some people may like this style, personally I’m more impressed by paintings by Rembrandt or photographs by Cartier-Bresson, even though I can’t afford either.

A Philips wireless sound system (top picture) is here, presumably to relay the ground floor DJ (since it doesn’t use any Microsoft software); right now it’s silent. In a recess just opposite the Philips sound system is an X-Box running some car racing game (picture 9), with a couple of players who look like they’ve been glued to the seats.

Finally, just above the entrance lobby, there’s a lounge with some computers running games, plus a misguided fellow with an Apple laptop and a harried look.

The whole place is not very large, I’d say not more than 100 square metres (approximately 1,000 sq. ft), and there aren’t many computers in it, maybe 12 altogether. And I couldn’t locate a single Microsoft representative, there’s only a small stand near the entrance with a take-away pamphlet half the size of a regular paper sheet (see below), giving a timetable of theme workshops – the only one on a Saturday seems to be a lesson in video editing, late in the afternoon. Only unemployed and retired people, and truant students, will be able to attend the others, which strikes me as a weird choice.

Windows 7 is a nice OS IMNSHO, but Microsoft’s attempt at popularizing it through a web café strikes me as poorly planned and badly scheduled. I haven’t tasted their coffee, BTW: I’m somewhat of a gourmet in this area, and I can’t stand bad, or even indifferent, coffee, if I have any choice.