Wagon Bleu Paris, an unusual Corsican-inspired restaurant in a century-old Orient Express carriage

Published by Rizhlaine de Sortiraparis · Photos by Rizhlaine de Sortiraparis · Published on November 25, 2024 at 07:40 p.m.
In the heart of Paris's 17th arrondissement, the Wagon Bleu is a Parisian institution reborn with a gourmet and festive concept that's well worth the detour. This unusual restaurant, set in an authentic 1925 Orient Express carriage, offers generous Corsican-style cuisine and a lively program of DJ sets on weekends.

If in Paris, addresses come and go, institutions also renew themselves. Such is the case with a well-known address in the 17th arrondissement: the Wagon Bleu. This century-old venue is already famous for its unusual décor, which transports us to the heart of theOrient Express, echoing the restaurant's location along the railroad lines.

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The place is now enjoying a renaissance! Aboard the Wagon Bleu , we embark for Corsica and are invited to discover a gourmet menu whose dishes are sublimated by a terroir straight from the Isle of Beauty in an anachronistic setting. In this brasserie-style spot, you can enjoy an aperitif in the Wagon Bar, and then feast on generous cuisine in the heart of an authentic wagon dating from 1925. On sunny days, you can even take advantage of a large summer terrace. And the concept doesn't stop there: as an added bonus, for those in the mood to dance, the Wagon Bleu becomes a party spot with a DJ booth that livens up the restaurant every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

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That evening, we gathered for dinner in the heart of this century-old wagon. In this vintage setting, you feel like you're in a movie, and the vibrations of the real trains passing along the track where the Wagon Bleu is located reinforce this immersion. On the à la carte menu, Corsican products are proudly showcased, adding a twist to bistro classics. Everything in this restaurant has a story, whether it's the products, the specialties, the décor... so many anecdotes that add to the charm of Le Wagon Bleu.

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For those who are undecided and have several desires, why choose? Here, you can opt for an assortment of plates to share, or go it alone. For starters (or tapas), don't miss one of the house specialties, the Buglidice. These farm-fresh goat's cheese fritters have a crispy crust that's not too fatty, and are spiced up with Nepita, a wild Corsican mint that adds freshness to this comforting dish.

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Comfort is also to be found in the Storzapretti, dumplings of brocciu (a Corsican cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk), Swiss chard and Nepita, all simmered and served in a tomato sauce flavored with maquis herbs and au gratin with Corsican tome cheese. A melt-in-your-mouth, gourmet dish you won't want to miss. The restaurant also offers lighter dishes, such as the refreshing tartare of red tuna (also available as a main course), accompanied by a purée of avocado, Granny Smith apple, pomegranate and hazelnut oil, all of which add pep and sublimate the fish.

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Le Wagon Bleu's brasserie-inspired dishes include a duck breast from the south-west served with a reduced jus à la Piétra Rossa, from the famous Corsican brasserie, or a sausage purée made from organic Corsican tiger veal sausage. For our part, it was the stuffed vegetable of the moment that caught our eye. We find a melt-in-the-mouth "Jack Be Little" squash with a chestnut, mushroom and quinoa combo inside, Corsican chestnut honey and maquis herbs. The autumnal vegetable is surrounded by a surprisingly full-bodied juice, reminiscent of meat juice yet 100% vegetable.

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To accompany these dishes, Corsica also invites itself into our glasses with cocktails and wines that also showcase the nuggets from the Isle of Beauty. For us, it was a chance to try the Mattei Spritz, the Corsican version of the famous orange cocktail made with red or white Mattei Cap Corse (said to be the inspiration for Campari), Prosecco, Casanova sparkling Muscat, sparkling water and, of course, the citrus slice. Less bitter than its Italian cousin, Corsican Spritz is well-balanced and floral.

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Sweetness is also to be found in dessert, and this time it's the Pastizzu that has intrigued us. This dessert should delight fans of flans and regressive flavors. Covered in a homemade Corsican clementine caramel, this traditional Corsican cake, described as a crossbreed, has a creamy, slightly spongy texture that's very satisfying.

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Special mention must also be made of therestaurant's excellent value for money, with a sharing format that allows everyone to enjoy the experience while keeping control of their budget, gourmet plates, in-house expertise and meticulous selection of products, all of which demonstrate an approach to offering diners affordable cuisine that compromises on quality.

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From November 25, 2024 to December 31, 2027

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.

    Location

    7, Rue Boursault
    75017 Paris 17

    Route planner

    Prices
    Cocktails: €6 - €6.5
    Entrées / Tapas: €9 - €19
    Desserts: €9
    Cocktails: €12 - €13
    Plats: €18 - €24

    Official website
    www.lewagonbleu.fr

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