The oldest restaurants in Paris
One of them is over 400 years old!
After the mythical brasseries of Paris, we are interested in other essential restaurants: the oldest establishments in the capital, opened between the 16th and 18th centuries. On the other hand, we prefer to warn you, if you are looking for a cheap address, go your way! Because in addition to being among the oldest restaurants, these places are also part of the list of the most expensive establishments in the capital.
The Golden Bottle
Nestled opposite Notre-Dame in the 5th arrondissement and embellished with a huge terrace, La Bouteille d’Or has existed since 1631; an address so old that the new owners were not allowed to change their name. An address so old, too, that Molière, Voltaire or even Louis XIV tasted grands crus there (because it was originally a tavern)! Today, the owners have decided to modernize both the premises and the dishes. Indeed, built on two floors with trendy and bright decor, the restaurant offers 100% fresh products, homemade recipes and dishes influenced by the seasons. With its starter-main course-dessert formulas at €29 for lunch and €36 for dinner, La Bouteille d’Or has survived the centuries without ageing!
9 Quai Montebello, 75005 Paris
Tower of money
The restaurant in the 5th arrondissement is said to have been opened in 1582, earning it the title of oldest in the capital. However, no mention dating from this period has been found. The story goes that the restaurant was opened by Rourteau, a great cook of the time. King Henry III is said to have discovered the fork there and, later, Louis XIV and his court sat down there… In short, all of Paris ate there! Today, the Tour d’Argent is still one of the city’s must-see restaurants. A breathtaking view of Notre-Dame, the largest and most prestigious wine cellar in Paris, frescoes and gilding as decoration… If you can afford it, don’t hesitate to take a look. .
17 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris
At the Little Chair
The restaurant was inaugurated in 1680 under the reign of Louis XIV, in a building built a few years earlier, in 1610. Its name is due to the deformation of the old French « chèze » which meant house. The forged grill installed on the front of the restaurant is listed as a historical monument and testifies to the existence of the restaurant from 1680. Here again, big names have eaten there: Musset, Georges Sand, Chateaubriand, François Mitterand and many others. . On the menu: French gastronomy, simple and gourmet! Appearing a bit more modest than the other restaurants on the list, La Petite Chaise has nothing to envy them.
36 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
The Procope
In the heart of the Saint-Germain des Prés district, located in the charming rue de l’Ancienne Comédie since 1686, is another institution: the Procope. You may have already passed in front of the colorful red and blue chairs on its terrace, and know that the interior is just as worth a visit, for its decoration, but above all for its history. Especially when you know that big names have trod this ground. Danton, Marat and Robespierre settled there during the French Revolution. Rousseau, Verlaine and Diderot also sat there.
13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris
La Perouse
Installed since 1766 in the 6th arrondissement, the Lapérouse « house of pleasures » is an institution among institutions: here have passed great literary personalities such as Maupassant, Zola, Musset and Hugo and the whole of Paris has made it its favorite table at the over the centuries. Behind its emblematic blue storefront, you can enjoy refined cuisine, traditional but very elaborate, in an absolutely sublime setting. For the little anecdote, Lapérouse was the first restaurant to win 3 stars in 1933!
51 Quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris
The Grand Vefour
Beyond its succulent cuisine by Guy Martin, the restaurant is famous for its decor which has not changed since it opened more than 200 years ago in 1784. Unheard of (or almost) for an open establishment so long ago. Obviously, in more than 200 years, some prestigious customers have settled on the red velvet banquettes of the restaurant. Among them, Bonaparte (a plaque indicates the table he occupied), Victor Hugo, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean Cocteau, Maria Callas and Sacha Guitry. In short, beautiful people. You will eat gourmet cuisine, French and exotic, combining tradition and modernity. All in a splendid setting! What more ?
17 rue de Beaujolais, 75001 Paris
