Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Bofinger brewery was founded in 1864 by Frédéric Bofinger, an Alsatian from Colmar, who gradually transformed a small bistro into an emblematic brewery in the Bastille district. After the 1870 war and the annexation of Alsace, it became a flagship place to promote regional cuisine, alongside other establishments such as Floderer or Lipp. Its decor, originally designed around 1880, was completely redesigned between 1919 and 1921 in an Art Nouveau style by architect Legay and decorator Mitgen, with a floral dome and stained glass windows signed by Neret and Royer.

In 1967, Bofinger joined other historical breweries (Lipp, La Coupole) to defend their culinary and architectural heritage, marking their role in Parisian life. In 1968, Éric de Rothschild and Isidore Urtizverea bought the property, modernising its offer while preserving its soul, with a renowned sauerkraut and a clientele of intellectuals and personalities. However, the site was hit by an attack in 1981, claimed by Direct Action, without causing any casualties.

Saved from the closure in 1982 by three restaurateurs (Georges Alexandre, Jean-Claude Vigier, Michel Vidalenc), the brewery was classified as a historic monument in 1989 for its facades, its sign and its interior decorations. Its history reflects the political upheavals (war of 1870, attacks of the 1980s) and cultural changes (mountain of Art Nouveau, Alsatian tradition) that marked Paris. The remarkable elements include the ceramics of Jérôme Massier, Hansi's paintings, and urinals decorated with dolphins, witnesses to a heritage that is both popular and refined.

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