Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Grand Véfour came into being in 1784 under the name of Café de Chartres, a chic café in the gardens of the Palais-Royal frequented by revolutionary figures such as Danton and Marat. At the end of the 18th century, chef Laguipière invented the famous pumpkin soup, while the place became an influential salon animated by Mademoiselle Montansier. In 1820, Jean Véfour transformed the establishment into a luxurious restaurant, renamed Véfour, attracting the political and artistic elite like Napoleon, Josephine de Beauharnais, Victor Hugo or George Sand.

In the 20th century, the restaurant changed hands several times: bought in 1907 by M. Sakar, then in 1944 by Louis Vaudable (owner of Maxims), who tried to restore its radiance. In 1948, Raymond Oliver became the leader and attracted intellectuals like Sartre, Colette or Malraux, obtaining three Michelin stars in 1953. Ranked at the Historic Monuments in 1983, the Grand Véfour was hit by an attack the same year, before being taken over by the Taittinger group and then by Guy Martin in 2011.

The restaurant has an exceptional gastronomic reputation, with Michelin-starred periods (3 stars under Oliver and Martin). In 2021, after confinement, it modernises with more accessible prices and a terrace in the garden. Its history reflects the political, cultural and culinary developments of Paris, from the Revolution to the contemporary era.

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