Restaurant Margaux, a typical French bistro overlooking the Eiffel Tower

Restaurant Margaux, ideally located opposite the Eiffel Tower, is the French bistro we love. Located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, the typically decorated restaurant offers traditional French cuisine. A generous menu and emblematic dishes such as boeuf bourguignon and escargots await you in a lively, bustling atmosphere.

Just a stone's throw from the Seine, with the majestic Eiffel Tower as its neighbor, Restaurant Margaux Paris 16 plunges us into the comforting world of a traditional French bistro. Conceived by Michel Puech as a tribute to his grandmother, the restaurant has the feel of an old-fashioned dining room, complete with white tablecloths and wood panelling, and offers sincere cuisine designed as a return to the roots of taste.

Pushing open the door to Chez Margaux is like stepping back in time. As soon as you enter, an imposing antique china cabinet sets the tone and plunges you into a warm, authentic atmosphere. The dining room, which can accommodate up to 70 guests, reveals a succession of bistro tables covered with crisp white tablecloths, surrounded by wood-panelled walls that reinforce the family spirit of the place. To the right of the entrance, you'll find a separate room where bottles of wine form the decor, ideal for large groups. Every decorative object has been carefully hunted out by Michel himself, giving the space an assumed vintage soul.

Retro frames, porcelain crockery, elegant candlesticks, old kitchen utensils and old wine bottles blend tastefully to create a cosy atmosphere, where the red terracotta floor naturally guides gourmets to their table. At Chez Margaux, you don't just come to eat well: you come to experience a moment out of time, savor comforting cuisine and leave with a light heart and a smile.

With chef Paul-Alexandre Laumont at the helm, the house celebrates the great classics of French gastronomy in a warm, no-nonsense atmosphere. He carefully selects seasonal produce and offers gourmet cuisine rooted in the terroir.

The menu and prices :

The appetizer menu sets the tone: egg mayonnaise, onion soup, leeks with old sherry vinaigrette, orGranny Margaux's marrow bone, true to its reputation. More refined,white asparagus with mousseline sauce, pâté en croûte of the moment, tuna tartar with avocado or escargots en persillade en coquilles offer a wide range of flavors and textures. For the lighter eaters, a Caesar salad, with or without bacon, completes this appetizer.

Dishes range from comfort food to local fare: coquillettes au gratin with ham cooked on the bone, pureed sausage(, Charolais beef tartare au couteau, crispy cordon bleu, or the unmissable boeuf bourguignon. Discerning palates will be seduced by chicken cocotte with morel mushrooms and yellow wine, fillet of beef with pepper, or cod with Béarnaise sauce. For a meal to share, dishes for several, such as Normandy beef rib for two orlamb shoulder confit with thyme, are designed for large tables.

On our visit, we started with the avocado tuna tartare, as elegant as it was fresh, delicately spiced and balanced by the sweetness of the avocado. Escargots en persillade, served in the shell, arrive warm, topped with a generous beurre aillé, a real Proust madeleine.

For the main course, it's impossible to miss the boeuf bourguignon: melt-in-your-mouth pieces, a powerful yet subtle wine sauce, perfectly cooked vegetables and potatoes. As for the chicken cocotte with morel mushrooms, the yellow wine sauce envelops the bird in a delicate, woody aroma.

To round things off, the raw cream tarte Tatin is a fine choice. Served lukewarm and generously caramelized, it's the epitome of our gourmet cuisine. And for a change of pace, the gourmet coffee or tea, with its assortment of homemade sweets, extends the tasting experience.

Finally, a word about the wine list, balanced between great French appellations and confidential producers. For those who like to finish on a brighter note, a selection of classic or signature cocktails is also on the menu.

Margaux is the simple elegance of a bistro with a long history, to be rediscovered for its comforting cuisine, unobstructed views and timeless atmosphere. It's ideal for tourists in search of authenticity, but also for French people who like to rediscover traditional flavors. You can go there as a duo to enjoy Paris by night, or as a group for the great atmosphere. The restaurant is open every day, 7 days a week. Don't forget to make a reservation, as the restaurant quickly sells out.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.