Le Pré Catelan

Tucked away in the Bois de Boulogne, Le Pré Catelan whispers tales of centuries past. Le Pré Catelan isn’t just a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. It’s a journey through time, from a royal hunting ground to a luxurious dining experience. The name, Le Pré Catelan, carries the echoes of Louis XIV’s captain of the hunt, Théophile Catelan. A more romantic legend attributes the name to a troubadour, Arnault Catelan. This ill-fated poet supposedly met his end while delivering gifts to King Philippe le Bel from Beatrice of Savoy. Imagine the scene in the 1800s. The former quarry, which once provided stones for the Bois de Boulogne’s paths, transformed into a vibrant amusement park. Visitors enjoyed fresh milk from the dairy, listened to concerts, and took leisurely rides on velocipedes. However, the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune brought this era of merriment to an end. Le Pré Catelan was reborn in 1905 as a luxurious casino-restaurant. Architect Guillaume Tronchet drew inspiration from 18th-century follies, creating a long, elegant building nestled within the woods. The casino project was eventually shelved. The city then granted the concession to the owner of Chez Paillard, a renowned restaurant. He also built the Pavillon Paillard on the Champs-Élysées, now known as the Pavillon Élysée-Lenôtre. In 1908, Léopold Mourier, the owner of Fouquet’s, took the reins of Le Pré Catelan. He transformed it into one of Paris’s most sought-after destinations. Following Mourier’s death in 1923, Charles Drouant, owner of the restaurant at Place Gaillon, took over Le Pré Catelan. He elevated the cuisine and service to new gastronomic heights. In 1976, Colette and Gaston Lenôtre acquired Le Pré Catelan and embarked on extensive renovations. The entire building, including the facades and gardens, was revitalized. They also installed spacious, modern kitchens to accommodate year-round service. Le Pré Catelan secured its place among Paris’s finest restaurants. In 2007, under the direction of Chef Frédéric Anton, Le Pré Catelan earned its prestigious three Michelin stars. Today, it stands as a testament to culinary excellence.