Parisian institution La Tour d'Argent gets a makeover

It's been over a year since the Tour d' Argent closed its doors for a historic renovation, the longest and most complete in its history (since 1582!), after the one in 1936 which took the restaurant from the first floor to the 6th floor. The idea behind the work, carried out byarchitect Franklin Azzi , was clear: "To bring La Tour d'Argent, the world's most famous restaurant, into the 21st century, drawing on its rich history to make it a resolutely contemporary institution", explains André Terrail, the owner of the premises.

So it's only natural that, this summer, this Parisian gastronomic institution is unveiling new spaces in keeping with the work undertaken, from the first floor to the roof of the Tower. The rooftop overlooking the zinc roofs is located on the 7th floor. With its view over the capital and its great monuments, the Tour d'Argent rooftop terrace, surrounded by flowers and plants, promises absolutely romantic moments.

One floor below, on the 6th floor of the Tower, things haven't changed (that much) - at least on paper - since the famous gastronomic restaurant that has made the Maison so prestigious is still to be found here. With its breathtaking panorama of Notre-Dame-de-Paris and the Ile Saint-Louis, La Tour d'Argent has also been redesigned by Franklin Azzi. The iconic blue has been retained, a new ceiling with kinetic effects has been added, as has a thick carpet that echoes the undulating movement of the Seine. On the kitchen side, chef Yannick Franques has also revised his copy, offering new recipes and reinterpretations of the Tour d'Argent's culinary heritage.

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Once you've finished dining, what about discovering the new Bar des Maillets d'Argent, on the first floor? A place with oak panelling and a bespoke 30s-inspired bar, open from morning (for coffee) to evening (for cocktails), with the added option of lunch, a snack or even dinner. An extension of the bar is the Salon Frédéric, a tribute to Frédéric Delair, owner from 1890 to 1911 and inventor of the famous recipe for duck à la presse, a place with a hushed ambience and a fireplace that gives it a very special intimacy.

So, why not jump at the chance to visit this Parisian institution?