ORE: Alain Ducasse’s new royal setting in Versailles

Last September, Group Alain Ducasse’s latest creation, Oré, was born. It opened its doors in the sumptuous Pavilion Dufour recently redecorated by architect Dominique Perrault. Is there anyone better than the 18-Michelin-Star chef to give the Palace of Versailles and its visitors a gastronomic offer equal to this magical place?

The place is like a modern café where you can enjoy a 3-star snack with a view on the parade ground (Place d’Armes) before visiting the palace. Tickets can also be bought directly in the restaurant and a private access allows you to avoid queuing at the main entrance.

From the décor to the menu titles, everything is a subtle nod to the palace and its royal past: tables entirely covered in gold, suns painted on the plates, “prince & princess” menu for children, “Marie-Antoinette’s Delights to end your meal on a sweet note.

Behind the stove, Les Fougères (Paris 75017) restaurant chef Stéphane Duchiron who trained with Guy Savoy and won the Trophée Jacquart de l’étoile montante de la gastronomie (Jacquart Trophy for rising star in the world of gastronomy) in 2007. It’s obvious that Alain Ducasse manages to be surrounded by the best and this is what makes this group so successful. As a reminder, the group has over 30 restaurants over the world, chocolate, wine, a school and even a publishing house.

Once seated, you will be given the choice between a €22 lunch menu including that day a pumpkin cream soup or grilled cheese or a roast poultry sandwich + dessert + 50cl water or a light menu that can be both a starter or a main dish according to what you want: gravlax salmon, lemon-flavored sauce and black bread, einkorn wheat served with wild mushrooms and its sorrel cream or the guinea fowl supreme and pumpkin served with its gravy. Seasonings are perfect and so is the cooking of the meat, we almost forgot what was the use of a salt shaker.

Do you fancy something even bigger? If so, what would you say about the beef fillet and snacked duck foie gras (€36) or the sautéed scallops (€32)?

In terms of desserts we couldn’t advise you too much the Louis XIV, an ingot made of chocolate coming from Alain Ducasse’s manufacture or the Paris-Versailles, the chestnut version of the classic Paris-Brest.

What could we say about the room service other than it is worthy of a grand restaurant. Oré is a total success, perfectly blended within the dazzling setting of the Palace of Versailles and allowing anyone with any budget to have a treat by (re)discovering the classics of French gastronomy. For early birds, a breakfast is served from 8 a.m. whilst the evening is reserved for privatizations.

Practical information:
ORE
Palace of Versailles
Pavillon Dufour – 1st floor
Place d’Armes
78000 Versailles
Reservations: +33 (0) 1 30 84 12 96

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.

ORE: Alain Ducasse’s new royal setting in Versailles

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