La petite histoire des grands restaurants de Paris: Lapérouse, heart of Paris's social and political life

For over two centuries, Lapérouse has been thrilling the heart of Paris. Located at 51 quai des Grands Augustins in the 6ᵉ arrondissement, this restaurant embodies the refinement of French gastronomy, the sensuality of private salons and the vibrant history of the Tout-Paris.

As one of the first restaurants to be awarded three Michelin stars in 1933, Lapérouse was a living legend, a blend of literary memory, carnal pleasures and French art de vivre.

An origin dating back to the XVIIIᵉ century

Founded in the 18ᵉ century, Lapérouse was initially a wine shop before becoming, under the impetus of its founder Lefèvre, a supplier to the Court, a renowned restaurant frequented by the elites of the Second Empire. From the outset, the restaurant's private salons were a veritable showcase for intimate dinners, discreet affairs and gallant rendezvous. It was here that the sultry and fascinating reputation of the place was born, frequented as much by writers and politicians as by "cocottes", the leading courtesans.

An untouched setting, witness to a bygone era

Lapérouse's great strength lies in its original décor, miraculously preserved: enfilade salons, velvet-upholstered walls, quilted mirrors, antique chandeliers, and patinated woodwork tell of another era. One enters as if into a frozen scene from the 19ᵉ century, with the impression of following in the footsteps of Balzac or Maupassant. This unique setting has made it a popular film location - a scene from Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris can be seen here - and a setting often cited in literature.

A literary, political and artistic scene for two centuries

Victor Hugo, Zola, Maupassant, Baudelaire, Colette, Proust... They all frequented Lapérouse. Colette even wrote passages for her book La Chatte. Later, Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill, Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin and Orson Welles perpetuated the establishment'ssocial history. Even today, figures from the world of cinema, fashion and politics meet there in the discretion of its hushed salons.

• To be read
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: La Grande Cascade, former imperial pavilion
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Bofinger, the Alsatian grande dame of Bastille
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Brasserie Lipp, living memory of Saint-Germain

A cuisine of heritage and prestige

Lapérouse has long been a figurehead of French haute gastronomie. Although several chefs have succeeded one another, the house remains faithful to a certain French classicism, with seasonal cuisine centered on great bourgeois dishes: flambéed royal bream, foie gras, baba au rhum, pâté en croûte. The cellar, saved from the 1910 flood and protected during the Second World War, now houses over 7,000 bottles, with a predilection for the great vintages of Burgundy and Champagne.

A timeless address that's always alive

With its musical evenings, intimate bar and private lounges, the restaurant continues to bring to life the soul of Paris at its most elegant and whimsical. A place of memory and pleasure, Lapérouse remains a unique address in Paris, where history, literature, love and gastronomy intertwine in a pleasure house like no other.