The story of Paris's great restaurants: La Fermette Marbeuf, now Beefbar

An emblematic restaurant in the 8ᵉ arrondissement, La Fermette Marbeuf has occupied a corner of the Golden Triangle between the Champs-Élysées and the Alma district since 1898. A listedArt Nouveau masterpiece, the restaurant, now renamed Beefbar, is a rare testament to the decorative splendor of the Belle Époque.

Birth of an exceptional venue at the dawn of the 20ᵉ century

La Fermette Marbeuf was inaugurated in 1898, at the start of the 20ᵉ century and at the time of the1900 Universal Exhibition. The restaurant was then attached to the neighboring Hôtel Langham and designed to offer a sumptuous decor worthy of the pomp of the era. The highlight of the place is its famous Salle 1900, an Art Nouveau winter garden-style salon designed byarchitect Émile Hyrtre with the collaboration of art painters Hubert and Martineau and ceramist Jules Wielhorski.

Stained glass, ceramics, frescoes, mosaics, zenithal glass roof, sculpted furniture... All contribute to a luxurious, suspended atmosphere. Discovered by chance when a wall was pierced in 1978, the room had been concealed over time. Its re-discovery triggered a vast restoration orchestrated to restore the original spirit. The décor has been officially protected since December 9, 1983, when the 1900 room waslisted as a Monument Historique.

A gourmet restaurant with old-fashioned charm

Throughout its history, La Fermette Marbeuf has developed a refined , bourgeois cuisine, faithful to seasonal produce. Exceptional dishes include escargot feuilleté de Bourgogne Belle Époque, kidney fricassee and soufflé specialties, notably the famous Fermette soufflé au Grand-Marnier. The menu has always blended tradition and lightness, with lobster ravioli, salmon pavé, beef tartare and classic desserts (vanilla crème brûlée, chocolate tart) to create a complete and elegant menu.

• To be read
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Le Select, in the rhythm of the Roaring Twenties
• A brief history of the great restaurants of Paris: La Rotonde, the hustle and bustle of the Belle Epoque
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: La Mère Catherine, a Montmartre institution

An institution that has evolved over time

Although La Fermette Marbeuf doesn't have the same literary prestige as some of the top cafés, its extraordinary decor and positioning in the Golden Triangle have made it an attractive choice. Close to the Hôtel George V and other major hotels, the restaurant is strategically located for a wealthy clientele.

In 2018, restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi took over the address and installed his Beefbar concept. The restaurant develops contemporary cuisine around beef. The décor remains the centerpiece: you dine under the historic zenithal glass roof, now restored, and fill your eyes with period details - frescoes, stained glass, mosaics, furniture faithful to the 1900 style.

Our review of the Beefbar:

Beefbar Paris, the historic restaurant with incredible art nouveau decor
Discover Beefbar Paris, a historic restaurant in the heart of the 8th arrondissement, offering a unique culinary experience in a stunning Art Nouveau setting. [Read more]