Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Brasserie Mollard, founded by a couple from Savoie who arrived in Paris in 1867, began as a modest counter serving wine, beer and absinthe. Located opposite the Saint-Lazare station, its strategic location gave it rapid success. Thirty years later, in 1895, the Maison Mollard was transformed into a luxurious establishment, entrusted to the architect Édouard-Jean Niermans, a major figure of Art Nouveau, who designed a sumptuous decor including mosaics, enamels of Briare and custom furniture.

The district of the Saint-Lazare train station, which has been expanding since the annexation of 1860, became a dynamic hub where business and modernity crossed. The brewery, inaugurated in 1895, embodied this prestige by welcoming an easy clientele. His sets, made with renowned workshops such as those of Sarreguemines, evoked local scenes (Deauville, Saint-Germain-en-Laye) and floral motifs typical of Art Nouveau. Eugène Martial Simas collaborated in mosaics and faiences, signing several works.

After World War I, the clientele became scarce, and the decor, considered outdated, was partially masked by mirrors and painting. In 1928, the Gauthier family purchased the establishment, which went through the crisis of the 1930s and the Occupancy, serving as a food refuge during the shortage. In the 1950s, Mollard regained its brilliance with bold formulas such as the "surprise omelette", attracting a business clientele from Rouenne and Havre.

In 1965, a restoration revealed most of the original decorations, preserved under the layers of paint. The central window, collapsed in 1920, was not rebuilt, but frescoes, marbles and enamels were restored. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1989 for its interior decorations, the brewery today retains its 1895 stamp, with private salons like "Les Jardins de l'Isly". A modernisation of the façade was carried out in 2013 by Philippe André.

Mollard's cuisine, focused on fish and seafood, perpetuates a French culinary tradition. Its history reflects the social upheavals of the twentieth century, from the golden age of the Belle Époque to the post-war adaptations, including its role during the occupation. The place remains a living testimony of architecture and Parisian life in the late 19th century.

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