House
About
A house born in Kuusamo, where French precision meets Nordic softness.
The story
The story of The French Café
The French Café was born from a simple yet ambitious idea: create in Kuusamo a warm, refined house where pastry, coffee, and hospitality form a true experience.
The story begins in December 2020 on a winter day in Kuusamo. Over a cup of coffee, an intuition grew into a life project for a Franco-Finnish couple. After more than two years of preparation, The French Café opened its doors in April 2023 in the heart of Kuusamo.
From the beginning, we wanted more than a café. We wanted a house that reflects how we work, welcome, and create. The project demanded vision, perseverance, and a true attention to detail — the foundation that still shapes The French Café today.
The team
The founders
Moona Mankinen
After high school, Moona chose to follow her vocation and become a pastry chef. Curious and passionate about other cultures, she completed a summer internship in Nice, in the south of France. What was meant to be three months became more than six years. She trained in a local hospitality school as a baker-pastry chef, then specialized as a pastry chef de partie.
Over the years, she gained solid experience across several establishments, including the prestigious Le Negresco in Nice. She held multiple positions, notably within Le Chantecler, a Michelin‑starred restaurant, where she developed her creativity and led a pastry team. Today, Moona is at the heart of the kitchen and pastry work at The French Café.
Arthur Bataille
Arthur is from Mardié near Orléans in central France, a region known for its châteaux, wines, and fruits. He chose hospitality early, first training in the kitchen before realizing his passion lay in service, dining room life, and human connection. He continued his studies in restaurant service.
He also moved to Nice and joined Le Negresco, working in several of the hotel’s restaurants, including the fine‑dining Le Chantecler. It was there that French and Finnish paths crossed. Arthur discovered Finland and Kuusamo in January 2019, drawn by the rhythm of life and the surrounding nature. Today, he leads the welcome, dining room service, and beverages at The French Café.
Vision
Our vision of the house
Our ambition is to offer a complete experience: carefully roasted coffee by micro‑roasters, attentive service, artisanal pastries made by hand with French techniques, and a space that feels elegant, warm, and welcoming.
Quality and locality are central. We seek to work with local ingredients and Finnish producers while cultivating a French‑inspired identity. The French Café is, at its core, the union of two cultures.
Values