Brasserie Georges
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1836 |
| Founder | Georges Hoffherr |
| Headquarters | Lyon , France |
Area served | Lyon, France |
| Products | French cuisine, beer |
| Website | www |
The Brasserie Georges is a renowned dining establishment located in Lyon's 2nd arrondissement of Lyon. It holds the distinction of being the city's oldest brasserie and ranks among the largest in Europe. Its global acclaim is closely linked to Lyon’s rich gastronomic traditions, featuring signature dishes such as pistachio-infused Lyon sausage, sauerkraut, baked Alaska, and a variety of seafood. Remarkably, the brasserie set records by serving the world's largest sauerkraut weighing 1.5 tons in 1986 and the biggest baked Alaska measuring 34 meters in 1996. Utilizing Lyon’s famously pure water, it also produces its own beer. Open throughout the year without interruption, the venue can host more than 700 diners per seating. During the annual fête des lumières, it manages to serve upwards of 2,500 meals in a single service period. Commonly, it is affectionately called BG or Le Georges.
History
Established in 1836 by Georges Hoffherr, an Alsatian entrepreneur, the Brasserie Georges was purposefully situated on land reclaimed near where the Saône and Rhône rivers meet. This location was strategic, positioned along key coach routes linking Paris, Lyon, Saint-Étienne, and Marseille. The inauguration of Perrache station adjacent to the brasserie in 1857 significantly enhanced its accessibility. Architecturally impressive, its expansive 710 m² ceiling is supported by only four massive fir beams, each measuring 25 feet and transported from Chartreuse by oxen.
Following Hoffherr’s passing in 1873, management passed to his son-in-law Matthew Umdenstock. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the brasserie employed eighteen Alsatian women known as "Hébésé." By 1879, it became one of Lyon’s pioneering venues to introduce electric lighting alongside Brasserie Rinck and Antoine Lumière.
In 1890, the original straw seating was replaced with red leatherette banquettes and tables; a decorative pediment depicting Gambrinus surrounded by beer barrels was also installed. The late 19th century brought additional features such as five billiard tables and walls adorned with exotic animal designs.
The dining area underwent an Art Deco transformation in 1924 under the direction of artist Bruno Guillermin.
Architecture
The exterior signage of Brasserie Georges was installed in 1946. The building's front displays an image of Gambrinus, renowned as the beer monarch.
Flanking the entrance are four early 20th-century windows representing the arts of sculpture, geography, painting, and music. Positioned above the main door is a sizable copper cauldron embellished with a lion’s head motif.
Famous people
Throughout its history, the restaurant has welcomed many distinguished personalities such as Paul Verlaine, Jules Verne, Émile Zola, Édith Piaf, Colette, Ernest Hemingway, Jacques Brel, Alphonse Daudet, Anatole France, Léon Blum, the Lumière brothers, Luis Mariano, and Auguste Rodin. A regular visitor, Alphonse de Lamartine, is said to have left behind a 40-franc slate. In 1995, a group of twelve ministers came to support the restaurant's restoration efforts. Additionally, Bernadette Chirac enjoyed meals there in both 1998 and 1999.