A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Grand Colbert, a brasserie in a spectacular setting

Just a stone's throw from the Palais Royal, in the 2ᵉ arrondissement, Le Grand Colbert is a legendary brasserie whose history parallels that of Paris. With its high ceilings, carved woodwork, mirrors and Belle Époque fixtures, it embodies a living part of the capital's gastronomic and architectural heritage.

Heir to a 17ᵉ century mansion, this restaurant is today one of the most authentic jewels in the Vivienne district.

Aristocratic and administrative origins

Before being a restaurant, Le Grand Colbert was first and foremost a private mansion built in 1637 for Guillaume Bautru, Comte de Serrant. French classicistarchitect Louis Le Vau designed the plans. In 1652, the building was bought by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister of Louis XIV, and was named after him. Transformed over time, the building became state property in 1806, housing the Caisse de la dette publique. It wasn't until 1825 that the building was demolished, and in 1828 the Galerie Colbert was built, designed to rival its neighbor, the Galerie Vivienne.

From department store to iconic brasserie

During the reign of Louis-Philippe, a novelty store called Au Grand Colbert moved into the premises. But it wasn't until 1900 that the store was transformed into a restaurant. The name was retained, and the place began to attract the Tout-Paris of business, politics and letters.

A heritage restoration faithful to history

In 1985, at the instigation of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, owner of the building, Le Grand Colbert was restored to its original glory. Monumental architecture was rediscovered, with ceilings rising to six meters, sculpted pilasters, Pompeian-style wood paintings listed as historical art, and rare floor mosaics. The result is a spectacular setting, blending classical sobriety with Belle Époque flair, ideal for hosting film scenes.

• To be read
• A brief history of Paris's top restaurants: L'Escargot Montorgueil, an institution at Les Halles
• La petite histoire des grands restaurants de Paris: Bouillon Chartier, a century of modest cuisine
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Bouillon Julien, a popular Art Nouveau gem

A place for cinema and culture

Le Grand Colbert is not just a gourmet favorite: it's also a movie address. It appears in several films, including the feature film Tout peut arriver (Something's Gotta Give in VO), in which Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton share a romantic dinner under its gilded ceilings. This sequence reinforced the venue's reputation with international audiences.

A menu in the grand Parisian tradition

When it comes to cuisine, Le Grand Colbert remains true to the spirit of prestigious brasseries. You'll find onion soup au gratin, Burgundy snails, free-range poultry, prime rib, tarte Tatin and a wide selection of seafood. Continuous service every day from midday to midnight makes this a popular address at all hours.

Halfway between historic monument and lively brasserie, Le Grand Colbert offers a complete Parisian experience, from décor and service to cuisine and history. A timeless interlude in a place where every detail tells a chapter of Paris.

Our review of Le Grand Colbert:

Le Grand Colbert, the legendary Parisian brasserie listed as a historic monument
Just a stone's throw from the sublime gardens of the Palais-Royal, the Grand Colbert is a well-known Parisian restaurant for tourists and locals alike. Listed as a historic monument, this brasserie plunges us back into the Paris of yesteryear and delights us with a menu that puts French gastronomy in the spotlight. A gourmet embodiment of what makes Paris so charming! [Read more]