A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Pavillon Ledoyen, prestige of the Ancien Régime

Nestled in the heart of the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, the Pavillon Ledoyen is a Parisian gastronomic landmark, witness to more than two centuries of history and today the embodiment of contemporary haute cuisine led by chef Yannick Alléno. Behind its discreet façade, this 18th-century pavilion houses one of the capital's most prestigious establishments.

An address born under the Ancien Régime

The origins of the Pavillon Ledoyen date back to 1792, when Pierre-Michel Ledoyen set up a guinguette in the heart of the Champs-Élysées gardens. By the early 19th century, the place had become a mecca of Parisian life, frequented by Robespierre, Napoleon Bonaparte, Danton and Marat. Later, writers Zola, Flaubert and Degas, and painters Monet and Cézanne, crossed paths with the politicians and diplomats of the day.

The current building dates from the first half of the 19th century. It's a beautiful neoclassical house with sober lines, listed as a historic monument. The gastronomic restaurant, in particular, retains its elegant 1900s décor, with moldings, gilding and subdued lighting.

• To be read
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Vaudeville, Art Deco charm
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Grand Café Capucines, in the heart of the boulevards
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Dôme Montparnasse, a Left Bank legend

The arrival of Yannick Alléno and the transformation of the pavilion

In 2014, Yannick Alléno takes over the reins at Pavillon Ledoyen. Already a Michelin-starred chef, he transformed the house into a veritable temple of contemporary gastronomy. He installs three restaurants: Alléno Paris, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, the 2* L'Abysse, a Franco-Japanese fusion sushi counter co-directed with sushi master Tomizawa Katsutoshi, and the 1* Pavyllon, a chic gastronomic bistro at the counter. With its six Michelin stars, the Pavillon Ledoyen is now the most starred independent establishment in the world. The sheer size of the premises - almost 1,600 m² on several floors- allows for a wide variety of culinary experiences, all linked by the excellence of the gesture and the constant quest for innovation.

Over the centuries, the Pavillon Ledoyen has been the theater of Parisian life. Revolutionaries, writers, painters and celebrities from all over the world have passed through its doors. Today, it continues to showcase French gastronomy in its most refined version, while respecting the soul of a place deeply rooted in Parisian heritage.

Our review of Pavyllon:

Pavyllon, Yannick Alléno's elegant Michelin-starred restaurant at the Pavillon Ledoyen
In the heart of the Pavillon Ledoyen, which alone boasts no fewer than 6 Michelin stars, chef Yannick Alléno treats gourmets at the counter of his 1* Pavyllon restaurant. An experience in its own right. [Read more]