Cyril Lignac takes the helm at Paris' Lucas Carton restaurant

Chef Cyril Lignac takes the helm at the restaurant Lucas Carton, the iconic address on Place de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The house reopens on Friday, September 25, 2026 with a familiar TV face at the stove.

The information, revealed by Le Figaro on September 4, quickly circulated through Paris’s restaurant scene. One must admit the partnership has plenty to surprise: a TV star chef at one of the capital’s historic tables.

Why is Lucas Carton such a cornerstone in Paris's culinary history?

Facing the Church of the Madeleine, the Lucas Carton feels like a history book opened at the table. It all begins in 1839 with the building designed by architect Charpentier. In 1860, Mr. Augis establishes La Taverne de France, where the Paris crowd of the Second Empire packs in.

In 1880 the venue adopts the name Lucas and unveils Louis Majorelle’s woodwork, sculpted in maple, sycamore and Ceylonese lemon tree. It took four years to complete, and today those carvings enjoy protected status as historic monuments. You can read all about it in detail in the “little history of Lucas Carton.”

Francis Carton buys the house in 1924 and puts his name on it. The three Michelin stars arrive as early as 1933. Later, Alain Senderens presides there from 1985 to 2013, earning the venue its reputation with his harmonious pairings of courses and wines. The latest head chef, Hugo Bourny, who joined in 2021, has kept the star, still present in the Michelin Guide 2026.

Why does this role hold a special appeal for Cyril Lignac?

For the chef from Aveyron, this arrival feels like a loop finally closing. A young cook who has just landed in Paris, he shoots his résumé to several top houses at once: with Senderens at Le Lucas Carton, and with Alain Passard and Pierre Gagnaire. In the end, it’s Passard who gives him his break.

Twenty-five years on, it is Lucas Carton that comes knocking at its door. Speaking to Le Figaro, the chef explains that he wants to “give Parisians back a legendary venue.” A little revenge for a letter that never received a reply, and an anecdote that gives the project a distinctly personal flavor.

The chef already speaks the language of fine dining: his restaurant Le Quinzième earned a Michelin star in 2012 before closing in 2019. He also runs Le Chardenoux, a Belle Époque bistro in the 11th arrondissement, along with his pastry ventures and TV work on M6, including Le Meilleur Pâtissier.

• To be read
• Best bets for the week of September 14–20, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

What kind of cuisine can you expect at Lucas Carton with Cyril Lignac?

The chef unveils a French cuisine that is indulgent, built around the product and resolutely traditional, yet firmly of its era. He also emphasizes freshness and lightness on the plate.

The focus seems to be shifting toward more life and less ceremony. According to Food & Sens, the new owners aren’t aiming for an immediate reclaim of Michelin stars, but rather a lively and festive Parisian house. Some observers even imagine a spirit similar to that of Chardenoux.

One word of caution: the detailed menu and prices aren’t yet posted on the official site. Reservations, however, are already open online via the Lucas Carton reservation module or by phone at 07 44 04 13 96. For access, Madeleine station (lines 8, 12 and 14) is just a few steps from the façade.

On our side, we’re mainly curious to see how the chef’s plates will converse with Majorelle’s woodwork. It’s a bit like a folk tune played on an old piano: the blend may surprise, but it has plenty of appeal to draw a crowd.

Who is behind the Lucas Carton acquisition?

The restaurant changed hands in June 2026. Vranken-Pommery sold it to Lapérouse Holding, the firm founded by Benjamin Patou and Antoine Arnault, already owners of Lapérouse, Prunier, and Lafayette's. According to Le Chef, the group is betting on historic venues with strong media resonance, rather than chasing Michelin stars.

This appointment comes amid a busy autumn season for the chef. As Gault&Millau recalls, he has just transformed his Dragon restaurant into a Japanese counter dedicated to hand rolls and will publish on October 2, 2026 a Best Of from his Made at Home collection, featuring 155 recipes.

Which other historic restaurants from the same group should you discover in Paris?

While waiting to step into the Lucas Carton reissued by Lignac, two family-linked establishments are worth a detour. On the Quai des Grands-Augustins, in the 6th arrondissement, Lapérouse has been perfecting the art of private salons and intimate dinners since 1766.

In the 16th arrondissement, Prunier has reclaimed its celebrated Art Deco interior and its caviar après a high-profile renovation. And to extend the stroll through old Paris, our guide to the oldest restaurants in Paris awaits you.