La Maison Fournaise, the restaurant on the Ile des Impressionnistes in Chatou

Just a few minutes from Paris, on Chatou Island, also known as Impressionists' Island, the iconic Maison Fournaise restaurant is making a comeback after two years of extensive renovations. This revival is driven by Olivier Maurey, president of the Ludéric group, and Stéphane d’Aboville, the new head chef at the venue.

While the charming exterior remains unchanged, the restaurant boasts a fresh new interior design. In terms of decor, the spaces have been renovated with care to preserve the spirit of the venue, which is listed as a Historic Monument. Inside, you'll find a brighter, more inviting room with a modern Art Deco flair.

Inside, nearly 150 seats await you, with an additional hundred seats on the outdoor terrace. During sunny days, everyone flock to the covered terraces offering stunning views of the Seine.

It’s the talented Stéphane d’Aboville, a Chatou resident and passionate about the venue, who breathes new life into the cuisine of this historic restaurant. Having honed his skills in the kitchens of the Bristol as sous-chef to Éric Frechon, and spending 11 years at Mini Palais, the chef carries with him a keen pursuit of flavor precision. He now presents a fresh menu featuring classic dishes that are thoughtfully modernized.

Maison Fournaise's Menu:

On the menu, you'll find classic dishes like Fried smelt with parsley, a Rabbit terrine, and Frog legs. As for us, we couldn’t resist the Seared yellowfin tuna, served with a horseradish and fennel ice cream. A beautiful dish that balances the richness of the tuna with the zing of horseradish, waking up the palate. My companion chose, for his part, a delicious Half-cooked duck foie gras with artichoke, a truly elegant pairing.

• To be read
• This week's top picks in Paris and Île-de-France, April 27 to May 3, 2026.

For mains, the menu features the classic Beef Tartare, a creamy Zucchini Risotto, or tender Veal Sweetbreads. The standout dish is the Perch in Red Wine with Button Mushrooms, complemented by the delicious Grilled Pork Belly with Herbs. It’s expertly seasoned with mustard and beetroot, creating a perfect sweet-savory harmony, accompanied by house-made mashed potatoes.

Next up, the cheese platter and desserts take center stage. For the undecided, there's the Café gourmand, while chocolate lovers will revel in the Crunchy dark chocolate—an espuma and sorbet creation with a bittersweet orange center. It’s a showstopper when hot chocolate is poured over, revealing the icy interior in a spectacular display.

Please note that the restaurant offers a daily special: appetizer + main course or main course + dessert for €28 and €35 respectively, and a full menu including starter, main course, and dessert. Children can enjoy a meal for €12 featuring chicken nuggets with tartar sauce and French fries, paired with chocolate brownies and stracciatella ice cream.

Historically speaking, Maison Fournaise is the iconic inn once owned by Alphonse Fournaise’s wife, a boat builder in Chatou. Many renowned artists—Renoir, Degas, Monet, Courbet, and Manet—have all stopped by. These celebrated Impressionists of the late 19th century turned Chatou, also known as the Isle of the Impressionists, into one of their favorite sources of inspiration. This lively riverside venue has hosted everyone from the elite of the art world to writers like Maupassant and Flaubert.

Today, the venue hosts a new restaurant as well as the Fournaise Museum, which features exhibitions on contemporary artistic movements from the Impressionist era. It also houses a collection dedicated to the history of the house and the golden age of the Seine banks.

So, are we taking a delicious break right in the heart of Impressionist inspiration?

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.