Founded in 1896, Bouillon Chartier is a Parisian institution. Located in the 9ᵉ arrondissement, a stone's throw from the Grands Boulevards, this mythical place has defended a simple but ambitious idea for over a century: to offer everyone "a dignified meal at a modest price".
A true survivor of the golden age of Parisian bouillons, Chartier continues to attract a colorful crowd in an unchanged setting, true to theBelle Époque spirit.
At the end of the 19ᵉ century, two brothers, Frédéric and Camille Chartier, opened their first bouillon at 7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre. The idea was clear: in fast-growing industrial Paris, simple, good, inexpensive French cuisine was needed to feed the workers. At a time when restaurants were still reserved for the elite, Chartier quickly became a popular landmark, without ever sacrificing quality.
This model was inspired by the first"bouillons" created in the 1860s, which served soups and hot meals to workers. But Chartier added the setting and service: a large, light-filled refectory, columns, mirrors, carved woodwork and waiters in black vests and white aprons scribbling the bill on a tablecloth corner.
The interior of Bouillon Chartier is now a listed building. Its huge room with soaring ceilings, original chandeliers, mezzanines and old-fashioned ice cream evoke a bygone Paris of concierges, clerks and theaters. This unique atmosphere has always attracted Parisians, tourists, artists and students, all gathered around large shared tables. Here, service is fast and traditions are respected to the letter.
If Chartier's specialty is consistency, it's because the menu doesn't give in to fashion: eggs mayonnaise, leek vinaigrette, andouillette with mustard sauce, duck confit, braised beef cheek, chocolate mousse... Nothing creative, but everything is done to satiate and comfort, at unbeatable prices. That's the charm of Bouillon Chartier: to serve traditional French cuisine for a bill often under €20, in a setting worthy of the great brasseries of the City of Light.
Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with no reservations required, Bouillon Chartier operates like a well-oiled machine, capable of accommodating hundreds of diners a day. This ability to remain popular, without losing its soul, makes it a cult address for Parisians and visiting tourists alike. The brand has since successfully spread to other Parisian districts (Montparnasse, Gare de l'Est), but the spirit remains the same: quality, tradition, speed and accessibility.
More than a century after its opening, Bouillon Chartier continues to capture the heart of a popular, generous and unpretentious Paris. A lively place, true to its origins, where you can savour a piece of Parisian history between two mouthfuls of blanquette de veau!
Our review of Bouillon Chartier - Gare de l'Est:
Bouillon Chartier, the affordable address opposite Gare de l'Est station
Good news for your wallet: Bouillon Chartier has just opened opposite Gare de l'Est. On the menu, as usual, (very) affordable French bistro classics. [Read more]
Location
Chartier
7, rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009 Paris 9
Official website
www.bouillon-chartier.com
Bouillon Chartier, the affordable address opposite Gare de l'Est station
