Our story
OUR INSPIRATION
New York's squares
Washington Square, in the heart of Greenwich Village, on a Saturday afternoon. About twenty chess tables are arranged in the shape of an arena. The approaching tourist is worried. He hears shouts. He sees intimidating men making grand gestures without really discerning whether they are in joy or anger. The principle is simple. Each table belongs to a homeless chess virtuoso. Paradox: an outcast from society haranguing passersby to agree to play a game.
At the main table, a disheveled rabbi faces off against a boastful Jamaican. A few meters away, a well-bred young startuper is being boned by a homeless Slav whose prison tattoos impose distance. At all the tables, it's a competition to see who can bang the clock the loudest. A few shouts, accusations of cheating, Yiddish responding to Rastafarian. An atmosphere of perfect friendship reigns despite appearances! Chess imposes peace in its chaos.
The theater and social mix of NYC street chess has always appealed to the founders of Blitz Society.
Today, they are inspired to recreate this atmosphere in the heart of St Germain.
BLITZ SOCIETY
The Chess Bar in Paris
Welcome to Blitz Society, the go-to chess venue in Paris. Whether you're a novice, an amateur, or a grandmaster, our space is made for you. Come alone or with a friend, and immerse yourself in a friendly atmosphere where chess unites all players.
A Play and Meeting Space
Blitz Society reinvents chess. Here, laughter and conversation enliven the games. Every encounter is a new adventure. Our tables are waiting for you to play and interact, whatever your level.
A Dynamic Community
Join a diverse community. From young players to seasoned competitors, Blitz Society is the place where everyone connects. Here, every player finds their place in a spirit of camaraderie and sharing.
Various Events
We regularly organize tournaments, training sessions, and themed evenings. Whether it's over a glass of wine or a friendly tournament, there's always a reason to come to Blitz Society.
Experience Chess Differently
At Blitz Society, chess is more than a game—it's a way of life. Come as you are, play a game, make friends, and have fun. Discover chess in a new light: playful, social, and exhilarating.
THE CONCEPT
eat. drink.
Unique artisans, local cuisine, made to be shared.
Blitz Society has surrounded itself with a "dream team" of culinary crafts: charcuterie from Gilles Verot, Bellota Bellota hams, cheeses from Marie-Anne Cantin and pastries from Arnaud Larher... Offered mainly in the form of sharing platters, the dishes are paired with a fine selection of natural wines, exceptional liqueurs and craft beers.
MUSIC
An intimate atmosphere for JAZZ lovers.
Blitz Society explores the crossover between chess and jazz in its musical preferences. A selection
a mix of free jazz, hardbop and be bop designed for playing chess with peace of mind.
THE PLACE
Blitz Society, rue du Sabot, is located both in the center of Saint Germain and on an old-fashioned and enigmatic street.
To design the set, Blitz Society called on Sandra Benhamou.
The interior of Blitz Society resists modernity: period facade with exposed structure and beams, ancient stones from the church of St-Germain-des-Près, timeless and intimate atmosphere.
The specifications were therefore simple: not to substitute simple decoration for the integrity of a unique space, but to harmonize the encounter between a space and a game.
To achieve this, raw materials such as brown terracotta and weathered wood contrast with the antique parquet flooring and old beams. The subdued light just illuminates the chessboards and creates a chiaroscuro effect.
The walls blend in with the old stones. Secondhand chairs mingle with hand-drawn game tables.
tailor-made, in a school spirit. A few low tables and upholstered armchairs warm up the atmosphere to accommodate a few spectators or players
THE DECORATION
Sandra Benhamou
imagines sophisticated interiors that combine contemporary art and design, vintage furniture and custom pieces. Whether for public or high-end residential projects, she rigorously and demandingly designs eclectic atmospheres, punctuated with a touch of femininity, where light plays a leading role. Sandra Benhamou strives to refine each line of the scenario with a great sense of detail, distilling her talents as an interior decorator to the benefit of refined and expressive universes. Today, she publishes her own collections of furniture designed with rigor and precision and made with French craftsmen with excellent know-how.