EAT TYPICAL FRENCH FOR A VERY AFFORDABLE PRICE AT ONE OF THESE 5 BOUILLON RESTAURANTS
At a bouillon restaurant, you eat dishes of traditional French cuisine at a very affordable price. The menu features appetizers starting at €1.00 and main courses starting at €7.00. A characteristic feature is the often still authentic art nouveau decor and the quick service.
The first bouillon restaurant appeared in Paris in 1855. Butcher Pierre Louis Duval came up with a concept to serve a good piece of meat with a broth to the workers of Les Halles (the former market halls of Paris) for little money. The broth concept became wildly popular and many competitors followed. By 1900, there were about 250 bouillon restaurants in Paris. Menus expanded, but prices remained low. In the late 19th century, the art nouveau style spread throughout Europe, which can be seen in the furnishings of several bouillon restaurants.
There are a number of these authentic broth restaurants left in Paris. The best known is Chartier. They are very large restaurants with between 150 and 200 covers. I always say if you want really really good food, make reservations at a good brasserie or bistrot, but if you look at the price/quality, broth is definitely worth it. Reservations are possible only at some restaurants. If you are early, before 7 p.m., you won’t be in line or short. If you come a little later, a line quickly forms, but it’s always quick considering how many covers the restaurants have.
BOUILLON JULIEN
Bouillon Julien opened in 1906 in the 10th arrondissement. The restaurant is completely decorated in art nouveau style, designed by the masters of the era. Glazier Louis Trézel created the 4 flower women individually rendered on opposing glass panels that decorate the walls in the restaurant. They symbolize the four seasons. Also note the colorful glass ceiling and the mahogany bar covered in tin, still in use a century later. In 2018, the restaurant was completely renovated in the old style.
It has been a favorite haunt of many famous artists. Edith Piaf and her lover Marcel Cerdan often dined at table number 24. Scenes from the film La Vie en Rose about Piaf’s life were shot here.
Prices are low as we know it from broth restaurants. Appetizers can be found on the menu from €2.60 and main courses from €9.20. Reservations can be made or be early (before 7 p.m.) to avoid the line. Bouillon Julien is open 7 days a week from 11:45 a.m. to midnight. Bouillon Julien, 16, rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris.
BOUILLON CHARTIER (GRAND BOULEVARDS)
The oldest bouillon restaurant on the list is Bouillon Chartier. In 1896, the restaurant was founded by brothers Frédéric and Camille Chartier. The idea was to serve a good meal at a modest price. Only in an attractive setting, because the brothers did not want cheap meals to rhyme with unsociable interiors.
Just over 120 years later and four owners down the road, this concept is as good as ever. The restaurant is locked in the hearts of Parisians and many a tourist from around the world has already taken home a fond memory after dining at Bouillon Chartier. In 1989, the setting was listed on the Register of Historic Monuments.
When you walk through the revolving door, you enter a bustling restaurant with high ceilings. Around you walk the many waiters in black vests and white aprons to make sure you are served quickly. The menu features numerous classic dishes of French cuisine at impressively modest prices, such as leek vinaigrette (€3.00), œuf mayonnaise (€2.00), vegetable soup (€1.00) or escargots with herb butter (€7.40) as an appetizer. As a main course, there are several meat and fish dishes starting at €6.50. The waiter always writes the bill on the paper tablecloth. Located in the 9th arrondissement, the restaurant is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Bouillon Chartier, 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris.
BOUILLON CHARTIER (MONTPARNASSE)
In the early 1900s, the Chartier brothers opened a new Bouillon Chartier on boulevard du Montparnasse in the 6th arrondissement. They furnished the restaurant with an imposing Art Nouveau-style decor with a colorful glass ceiling, mirrors surrounded by woodwork and walls decorated with ceramics made by Louis Trézel.
In 1924, Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse was sold and the restaurant changed names several times. The original name Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse returned in 2019. Again, the restaurant is under the same owners as Bouillon Chartier. Despite the change of owners, the authentic art nouveau decor has always remained intact. In 1984, this restaurant was also listed as a historic landmark.
The menu is identical to that of Bouillon Chartier on the Grands Boulevards. The restaurant is open 7 days a week from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm. Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse, 59 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris.
BOUILLON PIGALLE
Another favorite bouillon restaurant is Bouillon Pigalle. A bouillon with a more modern bistrot interior compared to other bouillon restaurants. Located at the foot of Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement, it is perfect to combine with a walk through Montmartre. Starters are available from €1.90 and main courses from €8.50. Don’t miss Bouillon Pigalle’s signature dessert, the profiterole. This broth is very popular. Be sure to arrive before 7 p.m. if you don’t want to wait in line. By 7:30 p.m., there will probably be a line with a wait time of about half an hour to 45 minutes. Reservations can be made at this bouillon. Bouillon Pigalle, 22, Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris.
BOUILLON RÉPUBLIQUE
The Moussié brothers, owners of Bouillon Pigalle from this list, also own Bouillon République. At this location until previously sat the restaurant Chez Jenny, a household name in the République neighborhood since 1932. An authentic brasserie specializing in dishes from the Alsace region, specializing in sauerkraut. Chez Jenny had to close its doors in 2021, and the Moussié brothers saw an opportunity to further expand the successful broth concept at this location.
The menu features classic dishes of French cuisine such as œuf mayonnaise (€1.90), terrine de campagne (€3.90), saucisse purée (€8.90), duck confit (€11.50). In tribute to its previous occupant, the Jenny sauerkraut is on the menu (€9.80). The low prices also apply to drinks; you can order a bottle of red wine from as little as €10.20. Reservations. Bouillon République, 39 Bd du Temple, 75003 Paris.
LE PETIT BOUILLON PHARAMOND
It was in 1832 that the Pharamond family moved from Normandy to Paris to introduce Parisians to the classic Norman dish Tripes (tripe) à la mode de Caen. The family settled in the Les Halles neighborhood in 1879. A neighborhood at the time called “le ventre de Paris” (“the belly of Paris”). This was because the market halls were in this district, from where food was delivered for Paris.
For the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris, the restaurant was completely renovated. From this period, the interior has been preserved. The wooden spiral staircases connecting the floors, mirrors, mosaics and red velour sofas make this classic spot a special restaurant for dining. Many celebrities including Georges Clémenceau, Ernest Hemingway, François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac were guests of the restaurant.
Nearly two centuries later, Pharamond still offers authentic dishes of French cuisine. Starters such as oeuf mimosa (€1.90) or gravlax de truite (€6.50) and main courses such as cocotte de coquillettes à la crème truffée from €7.50. The classic dish Tripes à la mode de Caen is still on the menu (€10.90). The restaurant is open 7 days a week from noon to midnight. Reservations are not possible. There is also a terrace. Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond, 24, Rue de la Grande Truanderie, 75001 Paris.
