Bouillon Chartier
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1896 |
| Founder | Frédéric Chartier, Camille Chartier |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Paris |
| Products | Classic French cuisine |
Bouillon Chartier (), commonly referred to simply as Chartier, is a renowned bouillon dining establishment in Paris, established in 1896. Situated within the 9th arrondissement, it has held the status of a monument historique since 1989.
History
The restaurant was launched by siblings Frédéric and Camille Chartier in 1896 and is housed in a structure reminiscent of a railway station concourse. Its extensive Belle Époque dining hall is characterized by a lofty ceiling upheld by substantial columns, which also support a mezzanine level where guests are served.
Initially called "Le Bouillon," it started as an economical venue offering stew near prominent Parisian sites including the Grands Boulevards, Hôtel Drouot, Musée Grévin, and Palais de la Bourse. Throughout its history, the establishment has been under the ownership of only four individuals.
Service
Operating throughout the year, Bouillon Chartier delivers classic French dishes with waitstaff clad in traditional rondin attire—black waistcoats equipped with numerous pockets paired with long white aprons.
The restaurant’s high demand frequently leads to lines forming either in its courtyard or along the sidewalk. It employs communal seating arrangements, where diners share tables with strangers. At the conclusion of meals, bills are noted directly on disposable paper tablecloths. Service concludes at 11:30 PM.
In popular culture
- The establishment appears in Albert Willemetz's 1939 song "Félicie aussi," famously performed by Fernandel.
- In Louis Aragon's novel Les Beaux Quartiers, the restaurant is depicted as a habitual lunch destination for the character Edmond Barbentane.
- John Adamson recounts his experience dining at Le Bouillon Chartier during the early 1970s in his work Footloose in France.