La Casa: an idyllic, exotic terrace restaurant on the banks of the Seine in Yvelines (78)

Once a favorite haunt of Émile Zola and his contemporaries, this century-old building in Médan has come back to life with La Casa, a new gourmet address in Yvelines (78). With a bistronomic brasserie, cocktail bar and XXL terrace on the banks of the Seine, you can enjoy the sun, the view and your food as if you were on a cruise... without leaving the Paris region!

A place steeped in history reborn

Twenty years slumbering on the banks of the Seine... Behind walls steeped in over 120 years of history, which have seen Émile Zola and his feathered friends pass through their doors, this legendary building in Médan, Yvelines (78), has been waiting for its time to come. And now it's finally here. With La Casa, the old sleepy place has been transformed into a vibrant address, where a bistronomic brasserie, a cocktail bar and a dreamy waterside terrace all come together.

A postcard terrace

Just a stone's throw from the Maison de Zola-Musée Dreyfus and facing the former local water park, La Casa's vast wooden terrace stretches almost like a pontoon across the Seine. A hundred or so Parisian bistro-style water-green chairs, immaculate parasols swaying in the wind, offering a little shade in the sunniest hours, and the picturesque Yvelinoise view... It's like an impressionist landscape. The tables along the balustrade are the most coveted: from here, you can observe the ballet of small boats and atypical cottages lining theÎle de Platais.

The atmosphere is peaceful and exotic. It's the perfect place for a lunch in the sun, a quiet snack, an aperitif at dusk or a dinner under the stars. Theme evenings, Sunday braséro... everything is an excuse to extend your stay. The only drawback is the absence of background music (a question of neighborliness), but this in no way detracts from the magic of the place, to which the lapping of the water acts as a soundtrack.

Cocktails and bars: from the Seine to the shaker

La Casa knows how to handle both glass and plate. From midday to midnight, the bar offers a varied cocktail menu (€10 to €14) featuring the great classics - Mojito, Moscow Mule, Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, Espresso Martini... - and some more daring creations like theHibiscus, a floral blend of gin, St-Germain and syrup. Spritz lovers, those who like their Apérol well dosed, will also find what they're looking for. As for the wine selection, it'sa safe bet: sure values to accompany every dish.

Fresh bistronomic cuisine

The menu focuses on quality and seasonality. Five starters, five main courses, five desserts. There's no indigestible catalog here, just a choice of fish, meat or a veggie option (a lemon risotto), with a €15 children's menu for petits mousses. On weekdays, a €30 lunch menu (starter-main course-dessert) attracts lunchtime regulars.

On our visit, we opened with the Casa-style tomato-burrata - twisted into a multicolored tomato tartar with pesto and pine nuts, topped with creamy burrata - and the Vitello Tonnato with capers, a Piedmont classic with slices of veal topped with a tuna sauce. Both starters were generous and beautifully presented, even if a hint of extra seasoning would have enhanced the flavors.

For the main course, the filet of duckling with cherries and Sarlat apples was a perfect match, as was the Asian-style salmon steak with its golden skin and rosy flesh, resting on a subtly flavored cinnamon carrot purée. Impeccably cooked, carefully prepared, harmoniously flavored... A real treat for the eyes and taste buds.

For dessert, the pineapple carpaccio with coconut ice cream provides a fresh, exotic finish, ideal after a long sunbath. The peach rum cheesecake, more fruity than cheesy, is surprisingly light and guilt-free.

Extras and dockside projects

Inside, the restaurant's wood-panelled decor, inspired by boat cabins, blends with the natural light of picture windows opening onto the Seine. And because this is a place for after-dinner drinks, three private karaoke booths are available for groups (5 to 10 people) to spice up the evening.

As an added bonus, if the team is available, a boat trip on the Seine can be arranged to discover the surrounding area from the water. It's a trip well worth taking! What's more, the owner has big plans for the future: water-based entertainment, a "guinguette", a beach extension to the restaurant... enough to take La Casa even further in the coming months.

In terms of logistics, the large free parking lot a stone's throw away makes it easy to get here by car, but for public transport, you'll have to aim just right to catch the 43 bus from Poissy to the Château stop, a five-minute walk away. The panoramic views are well worth the effort!

La Casa has not only revived a historic building, it has given Yvelines a new waterfront destination. You come for the food, you stay for the view, and you leave with the impression of having taken to the open sea... without leaving the Paris region.