It’s entirely possible France’s most noteworthy eateries define the term “destination restaurant.” Examples of how some of the more enduring Paris restaurants have approached this is compelling. While hot spots like Le Drugstore changed with the times and tastes of clientele, others, like Café de la Paix, steadfastly stay true to the roots and recipes that have delighted guests for generations.
![La Tour d'Argent](http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/latourdargentbar-211x300.jpg)
© Thomas Compian
While the most ardent foodies have opinions about which restaurants deserve to stand the test of time, La Tour d’Argent, established in 1582 in the 5th arrondissement, has gone in the direction of having it both ways. Chef Yannick Franques anchors the kitchen team in the preparation of La Tour d’Argent’s gastronomic hallmarks and modernized classic recipes, while Victor Gonzàlez, executive head sommelier, La Tour, and his team oversee the wine cellar and cocktail creations at the restaurant’s ground-level bar.
La Tour d’Argent stayed consistent in its appeal, making subtle updates in its décor and formula until 1936 when the kitchens and a dining room were added to sixth floor. In 2022, the current proprietors of the Parisian gastronomic institution decided to close its doors to undertake an ambitious refurbishment and re-working to bring together old and modern culinary and design sensibilities. Under the direction of architect Franklin Azzi, the year-long renovation transformed La Tour d’Argent into a multidimensional venue with new spaces offering different immersive dining experiences from the ground floor to the roof.
![La Tour d'Argent](http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/screen-shot-2024-02-28-at-111153-am-1024x566.png)
© Matthieu Salvaing
The gastronomic restaurant on the sixth level also offers a visual feast in the form of stunning panoramas of Paris, with panoramic views of the Seine, Notre-Dame and the Ile Saint- Louis. The redesigned main dining room retains its signature blue hues as a backdrop, but now frames a kinetic mix of elements such as textural carpeting by artist Margaux Lavevre evoking the flow of the Seine, along with glowing reflections of the ceiling. The restaurant’s iconic map of Paris, meanwhile, has been reinvented by artist Antoine Carbonne, who painted in shimmering colors to vividly interpret the restaurant’s multi-century story within Paris.
![La Tour d'Argent](http://www.globaltravelerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/latourdargententry.jpg)
© Thomas Compain
Pressed duck has long been a signature in the restaurant, and its “duck theatre,” where the recipe for the famous pressed duck is prepared, has been retained but reimagined to connect tradition and modernity. To ensure relevance to today’s clients, each part of the establishment — from the 300,000-bottle wine cellar to Le Bar des Maillets to Salon Frédéric (saluting Frédéric Delair, credited for the pressed duck recipe) to the main dining room and seventh-floor rooftop terrace — has been reinvented and upgraded by Azzi and colleague André Terrail over the course of 12 months, with assists from 17 firms and hundreds of craftsmen. The results of this complex recipe are a feast for the senses with ingredients harvested from the Tour d’Argent archives spanning its 400 years of history.
Read This Next
![](https://www.globaltravelerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/group-904.png)
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedGlobal City Guidebook 2024
Jul 26, 2024Bask in Nature’s Tranquility at The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo
When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
Sponsored Content
Tips to Plan a Destination Event Worth the Trip
It's time to shake things up and inject some serious excitement into your next gathering. Whether planning a corporate conference, black-tie gala or milestone celebration, choosing the right venue can make all the difference. City Winery shares some tips to make your next gathering a rockin' success.
Airlines
Jul 26, 2024BermudAir Maximizes Choices for Travelers with New Options
BermudAir announced an expanded fare structure, allowing customers to choose from five fare types across economy and business class, up from the previous three options. Travelers can now select fares based on their preferences for lounge access, checked baggage, change fees, refunds and priority boarding.
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 25, 2024Executive Chef Shaun Thomson Adds Fresh Flair to Nanuku Resort Fiji
PHOTOS: © NANUKU RESORT FIJI , © ERICA ALLEN
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 24, 2024Global City Guidebook: Shanghai
The third-largest city in the world, Shanghai has transformed into one of the world’s most important centers for business, finance, science, culture and transportation. In fact, Shanghai is home to the first free trade zone in Mainland China. The city sits on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, and the Huangpu River flows right through the 26-million-strong city. Art Deco- and Shikumen-style buildings, museums, skyscrapers, gardens, temples and food markets fill the lively, Eastern Chinese city.
Z Hotels Launches Special Summer Offers
eFlyer Deals
Jul 24, 2024eFlyer Deals
Jul 24, 2024TAP Air Portugal Announces Limited-Time, One-Way Fares to Europe
Through Sept. 15, TAP Air Portugal offers one-way fares to Europe for as low as $214. These low, one-way fares are available from all seven of the airline’s U.S. gateways, including:
Sponsored Content
Fill Your Heart with Ireland
Whether it's the people, the craic (fun) or the coasts, travelers always find something to love about the island of Ireland. What fills your heart?
eFlyer Lead
Jul 24, 2024Delta Air Lines Struggles to Recover from Tech Outage
While most airlines successfully recovered from the worldwide technology outage caused by a software update, Delta Air Lines continues to bounce back from the issue, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. The historic outage across Microsoft systems not only affected airlines but also hospitals and countless other businesses. Contactless payments were also impacted.
ShareThis