Drouant
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''Drouant'' is a well-known restaurant located in the
Palais Garnier The Palais Garnier (, Garnier Palace), also known as Opéra Garnier (, Garnier Opera), is a 1,979-seatBeauvert 1996, p. 102. opera house at the Place de l'Opéra in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was built for the Paris Opera from ...
neighborhood in the 2nd arrondissement of
Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...
, France. It was founded in 1880 by Charles Drouant. The restaurant has been receiving the jury of the
Prix Goncourt The Prix Goncourt (french: Le prix Goncourt, , ''The Goncourt Prize'') is a prize in French literature, given by the académie Goncourt to the author of "the best and most imaginative prose work of the year". The prize carries a symbolic reward o ...
every year since 1914, as well as the jury of the
Prix Renaudot The Prix Théophraste-Renaudot or Prix Renaudot () is a French literary award. History The prize was created in 1926 by ten art critics awaiting the results of deliberation of the jury of the Prix Goncourt. While not officially related to the ...
since 1926. ''Drouants cuisine is led by chef Émile Cotte.


History

The establishment was founded as a bar and tobacco shop by Charles Drouant in 1880. At the turn of the century, it gained popularity thanks to its fresh oysters delivered by Drouant's brother-in-law, who farmed them in
Brittany Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo language, Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, Historical region, historical country and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known ...
. The restaurant was taken over by Charles Drouant's son Jean Drouant in 1914, then by Jean's nephew –also named Jean– from 1946 to 1976. The latter sold the restaurant to Robert Pascal, a ''
bougnat A bougnat () was a person who moved from rural France to Paris, originally from the Massif Central and more specifically from Aubrac, Viadène, the Monts du Cantal, the Planèze of Saint-Flour and the Lot (river), Lot valley. After taking up the jo ...
'' from
Aveyron Aveyron (; oc, Avairon; ) is a department in the region of Occitania, Southern France. It was named after the river Aveyron. Its inhabitants are known as ''Aveyronnais'' (masculine) or ''Aveyronnaises'' (feminine) in French. The inhabitants o ...
who had been working at ''Drouant'' for forty years. The establishment changed hands several times between 1986 and 2006. Thanks to chef Louis Gondard, the restaurant was awarded 1 star by the
Michelin Guide The Michelin Guides ( ) are a series of guide books that have been published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1900. The Guide awards up to three Michelin star (classification), stars for excellence to a select few establishments. The ac ...
in 1988, then 2 stars in 2005. In 2006, the 3-star Alsatian chef
Antoine Westermann Antoine Westermann is a France, French chef born in 1949 in the Alsace, Alsatian town of Wissembourg, on the northeast border of France. He held 3 Michelin, Michelin Guide stars for his Strasbourg restaurant ''Le Buerehiesel'' and maintained a s ...
, a parent of the Drouant family, became the chef and owner of the restaurant. The establishment was officially renamed ''Drouant par Antoine Westermann''. In 2018, the restaurant was bought by the Gardinier brothers from the Gardinier & Fils company.


Cuisine

Since 2018, Émile Cotte has been the chef of ''Drouant''. He offers French dishes made of seasonal products. Façade - Restaurant Drouant - Paris.jpg Restaurant Drouant - Terrasse - Paris.jpg Drouant antoine westermann.png, '' Pâté en croûte'' by ''Drouant''.


Inner architecture

The private lounges are located on the upper floors. The ground floor designed by architect Pascal Desprez has a light setting inspired by the
Neoclassical style Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the Neoclassicism, Neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy and France. It became one of the most prominent architectural styles in the Western world. The pr ...
. In 2014, quotes of each of the 10 jury members of the
Prix Goncourt The Prix Goncourt (french: Le prix Goncourt, , ''The Goncourt Prize'') is a prize in French literature, given by the académie Goncourt to the author of "the best and most imaginative prose work of the year". The prize carries a symbolic reward o ...
were written on the inner walls of the restaurant as a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the award.


Culture


Prix Goncourt and Prix Renaudot

Since October 31, 1914 the jury members of the
Prix Goncourt The Prix Goncourt (french: Le prix Goncourt, , ''The Goncourt Prize'') is a prize in French literature, given by the académie Goncourt to the author of "the best and most imaginative prose work of the year". The prize carries a symbolic reward o ...
have been gathering on the first Tuesday of each month in ''Drouants first-floor lounge named ''salon Goncourt''. During the November meetings, the jury vote for the Goncourt winner of the year. The
Prix Renaudot The Prix Théophraste-Renaudot or Prix Renaudot () is a French literary award. History The prize was created in 1926 by ten art critics awaiting the results of deliberation of the jury of the Prix Goncourt. While not officially related to the ...
jury have been gathering in another lounge named ''salon Renaudot'' since 1926. Goncourt drouant antoine westermann.png, The ''salon Goncourt'' Renaudot drouant antoine westermann.png, The ''salon Renaudot''


''Drouant'' in popular culture

A scene of
Gérard Oury Gérard Oury (born Max-Gérard Houry Tannenbaum; 29 April 1919 – 20 July 2006) was a French film director, actor and writer. Life and career Max-Gérard Houry-Tannenbaum was the only son of Serge Tannenbaum, a violinist of Russian-Jewish orig ...
's film ''
The Sucker ''The Sucker'' (french: link=no, Le Corniaud, ) is a French, Italian and Spanish comedy film by Gérard Oury starring Louis de Funès and Bourvil. Plot Leaving Paris for his summer vacation, the naïve Antoine Maréchal has his 2CV totally w ...
'' (1965) was shot in the restaurant.


References


External links


Official website
{{Authority control Restaurants in Paris French restaurants in France Buildings and structures in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris 1880 establishments Prix Goncourt