Pavillon Ledoyen
| Company type | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Fine dining |
| Founded | 1779 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Key people | Yannick Alléno (current operator), Christian Le Squer (former chef) |
| Products | Gourmet cuisine |
| Owner | City of Paris |
| Website | www |
Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen, situated within the gardens to the east of the Champs-Élysées in Paris's 8th arrondissement, ranks among the city's most longstanding dining establishments. Its origins precede the enhancement of the Champs-Élysées area.
Housed in a two-level pavilion surrounded by gardens, Ledoyen is a distinguished gourmet venue boasting three Michelin stars. The property belongs to the City of Paris and is managed by Carré des Champs Elysées.
History
Initially founded in 1779 as a modest inn called Au Dauphin near Place Louis XV (currently Place de la Concorde), it began as a countryside tavern on the outskirts of Paris. On 4 August 1791, Pierre-Michel Ledoyen, coming from a family involved in catering, leased the premises and transformed it into an official restaurant.
Ledoyen, who entered the business as a dishwasher, renamed the establishment after himself in 1814. The Desmazures family held ownership for many years. In 1842, architect Jacques Hittorff, noted for his work on the Champs-Élysées gardens, relocated the restaurant. Following a fire six years later, significant renovations were undertaken.
Today, the City of Paris retains ownership of the building's structure. Under chef Christian Le Squer, Ledoyen achieved three Michelin stars beginning in 2002. Presently operated by Yannick Alléno, it maintained its three-star status during his inaugural year.
Architecture and fittings
Originally, the building featured white walls and green shutters within its initial footprint. After its move in 1784, it occupied a Neoclassical-style two-story pavilion complemented by terraced gardens. The late 19th-century ambiance is captured in the 1886 painting Scandinavian Artists' Lunch at Cafe Ledoyen, Paris, on Varnishing Day by Swedish artist Hugo Birger. Architectural highlights include expansive windows, decorative ceilings, and historic rooms on the second floor. Guests can choose from outdoor terraces, interior salons, or a grill room designed in a 1950s aesthetic.
Notable patrons
During the late 18th century, prominent individuals such as Louis de Saint-Just and Maximilien Robespierre dined here shortly before their executions. It is said that Napoleon and Joséphine de Beauharnais met at Ledoyen. The restaurant attracted numerous artists and literary figures including Georges Danton, Jean-Paul Marat, Degas, Monet, Émile Zola, Flaubert, and Guy de Maupassant. A mid-19th-century report mentions that duelists would reconcile over breakfast at Ledoyen following their confrontations in the Bois de Boulogne.