Voila, a true Parisian bistro. Les Marches is the one we all dream of. It is a peaceful place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Les Marches is hidden between the Seine and the Museum of Modern Art. It offers a quiet terrace and traditional family cuisine. The cuisine is neat, simple and generous. You won’t find any fake nostalgia made up for tourists here. Les Marches has all it takes to have a good time with friends.
Authenticity is confirmed by the red and blue plate of the label “Les Routiers”. It is an institution known by good food lovers. They love its halts scattered along the roads of France. “A stop at Les Routiers is the guarantee of a good yet affordable meal.” That is their motto.
On the menu, there is no pretending. It is pure bistro literature. It features the irresistible chorus of unavoidable dishes of French families. They are authentic and tasty. All week, Les Marches offers “the assurance of a good yet affordable meal”. It stays true to the reputation of the famous Routiers. This all happens in the shadow of the Parisian Museum of Modern Art.
From formulas to daily specials, guests enjoy leeks and vinaigrette. Or, they might have dandelion salad with bacon. It is topped with a poached egg. That’s before hesitating between a traditional Coq au Vin or Pike quenelles. Guests can succumb to the lure of the Tatin Pie. These are simple pleasures, without forgetting the casual wine list. It is very affordable and mottled on the roads of France.
Smart cars have replaced trucks at Les Marches. The starlets of fashion week have taken over from the truckers of yesteryear. It is like Stéphan and Jérôme Dumant’s museum-like restaurant. It has timeless tiling and checkered tablecloths. The old-fashioned menus add to the charm. The red and blue “Les Routiers” logo still hangs on the wall.
You might sit on the big terrace. It is saddled up against the Palais de Tokyo. You may be crushed by the heat that could melt the Eiffel Tower. The crisp red wine flows freely. The cold picnic-style dishes beat out the house classics. These include roast chicken and steak with morel mushrooms. Also, there is steak au poivre.
Don’t resist the very appealing poached egg with morel mushrooms and croutons. Follow it with a refreshing roast beef carpaccio. It is served with a generous portion of beautiful light mayonnaise. Pair it with a cold potato, haricots verts and cherry tomato salad.
Come back when the weather is more forgiving. Try the crayfish tails with celery and Granny Smith apple rémoulade. The veal kidneys with Dijon mustard sauce are delicious. The pink praline floating island is a treat.
Les Marches first opened in the early 1900s. The brothers Jérôme and Stéphane Dumant recently acquired the brasserie. They are experts at transforming authentic twentieth-century eateries. They make them hip and happening. Relax and enjoy a good glass of wine at Les Marches.