L'Ambroisie, Paris's oldest three-star restaurant, loses its third Michelin star

The Michelin Guide has revealed the downgrades ahead of its 2026 edition. Among the most notable changes is the decision affecting L’Ambroisie, located on Place des Vosges in Paris, which is dropping from three to two stars. The restaurant had held the highest rating for decades and was the oldest three-star establishment still operating in the City of Light.

This change comes just a few months after the departure of its founding chef, Bernard Pacaud, who left the kitchen at the end of July. The restaurant has since been acquired by businessman Walter Butler, with Chef Shintaro Awa stepping in to lead the culinary team.

Bernard Pacaud first opened L’Ambroisie in 1981 on Rue de Bièvre, quickly earning the restaurant its two Michelin stars. After relocating to the Place des Vosges in 1986, the prestigious third star was awarded in 1988, a distinction it maintained for many years.

The Michelin Guide notes that there are fewer downgrades this year. According to its international director, Gwendal Poullennec, this suggests a certain stability within the high gastronomy scene, despite the challenges faced by parts of the restaurant industry since the pandemic.

• To be read
• Michelin Guide 2026: The Parisian and Île-de-France Restaurants That Lost Their Star
• Michelin Guide 2026: Our Predictions Ahead of the Announcement of the New Starred Restaurants
• This week's top deals and tips in Paris and Île-de-France, from March 9 to 15, 2026

Additionally, in the two-star restaurant category, Le Suquet, the establishment run by Sébastien Bras in Aveyron, has also lost a Michelin star. This change comes amid a particular context: for nearly a decade, the chef has expressed a desire to withdraw from the guide to avoid the pressure that comes with this gastronomic distinction.

Michelin Guide 2026: The Parisian and Île-de-France Restaurants That Lost Their Star
As the eagerly anticipated 2026 Michelin Guide winners are set to be announced on March 16, 2026, it's also time to take a look at those establishments that have lost their star(s) in the renowned red guide. In Paris and Île-de-France, a total of 10 restaurants have seen their stars removed for a variety of reasons — from dips in quality to shifts in concept or closures that resulted in the loss of their coveted accolade. [Read more]