Montmartre’s Refuge des Fondus, the pioneer fondue restaurant in Paris

To eat a fondue in Paris is good. Enjoying it in a crazy atmosphere, with a bottle of wine, is better. Say (back) hello to "Le Refuge des Fondus Montmartre", pioneer of fondue restaurants in Paris. The Montmartre institution has reopened its doors after more than a year of (long) absence.

If the unmistakable red front of "Le Refuge des Fondus Montmartre", rue des Trois Frères, tells you something, it's normal. Since 1966, tourists, curious travelers and unwise Parisians have been enjoying one of the first fondue restaurants in Paris. The menu? Unchanged for 50 years. The atmosphere? Unique. The fondue? Abundant. Push the starter bottle and the cheese will flow.

Lovers of calm and hushed atmosphere, go your way. In this restaurant in Paris, conversations flow, laughter resounds and the seats shake. It must be said that the new owners are keen to keep the "fun restaurant" spirit of one of the first fondue restaurants in Paris alive. " It's not a concept, but a real tradition since 1966 " explains the Montmartre owners.

The ritornello has been the same for more than 55 years: to reach the bench (it's also my favorite place) you have to go over the table. Impossible to break the glasses, there are none. Originally, Jeannine, the creator of this little jewel, was fed up with picking up broken glasses by too fleeting strides. So she came up with the idea of having the wine drunk in 240 ml bottles, unbreakable and closed. "The whole soul of the place lies in these unique bottles, flocked with the colors of the Refuge. We absolutely did not want to part with them.

Same line of conduct on the menu: " We kept the same menu as at the opening ". That is to say: a welcome kir, a plate of amuse-bouche (thefunny aperitif), a Savoyard or Burgundy fondue, a bottle of red or white wine and a homemade dessert. All for 29 euros per person. " We select mature AOP/IGP cheeses, wines from a wine shop in the 15th arrondissement and rump steak for the Burgundy fondue. Yummy.

The highlight of the show? While exchanging your first name (and more if you like) with your table neighbors, you can also make a statement, or even a lyrical flight by writing on the walls of this unusual address in Paris. The house provides markers so that each funny gourmand can immortalize his visit. Whoever finds my note wins something. " I even found a message from 1982 ", says a customer at the table. Thousands of little words overlap on the walls for decades, like the Pont des Arts and its padlocks of love.

Le Refuge des Fondus Montmartre, an address with a strong character, just like its neighborhood. A little friendly advice: don't hesitate to book for large parties like birthdays, team dinners or family reunions. The bottles manage to loosen up the most rigid of us. A godsend in these times of gloom.

Thank you Refuge for making us laugh for half a century!

Le Refuge des Fondus Montmartre, the pioneer of fondue restaurants in Paris

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