Le Taillevent: A Parisian Gastronomic Icon with Royal History and 40,000-Bottle Cellar
Paris, May 6, 2026 – Le Taillevent, the celebrated gastronomic restaurant located at 15 rue Lamennais in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, continues to uphold its legacy as a pillar of French haute cuisine. Founded in 1946, the establishment, now under the stewardship of the Gardinier brothers since 2011, offers a unique culinary experience rooted in history and refined by contemporary artistry. Its hidden treasures include a wine cellar housing nearly 40,000 bottles and a lineage that harks back to royal chefs.
A Name Steeped in History and Culinary Excellence
The name “Taillevent” pays homage to Guillaume Tirel, a 14th-century chef to Kings Charles V and Charles VI, known as “Sire de Taillevent” and author of “Le Viandier,” the first culinary work in the French language. André Vrinat founded the restaurant in 1946. It remained under the Vrinat family’s guidance for decades before being acquired in 2011 by Thierry, Stéphane, and Laurent Gardinier, representing the third generation of the Gardinier Group.
Today, Chef Giuliano Sperandio leads the kitchen, crafting a cuisine he describes as intuitive, emotional, and contemporary. His approach is guided by the moment’s feeling, the people involved, and the quality of the products. He emphasizes respect for raw ingredients and close relationships with producers, winemakers, and artisans. “While technique is a prerequisite, my cuisine is the expression of my feelings of the moment, of the people, of the products. It aims to be legible, free, with a touch of the unexpected, and humanity is at its core,” states Sperandio. Signature dishes include lobster, cuttlefish with Colonnata lard, and scallops.
An Architectural Gem and a Unique Dining Experience
Le Taillevent occupies a former private mansion of the Duc de Morny, showcasing remarkable architecture with cut stone, majestic pilasters, delicate capitals, and a grand staircase. The restaurant features two distinct dining rooms: the Trianon room, adorned with straw marquetry alcoves by Ateliers Lison de Caunes, and the Lamennais room, featuring oak paneling and gilded copper leaf frescoes inspired by “Le Viandier.” The renovation was overseen by architect Yann Montfort and artist Solène Eloy.
Le Taillevent distinguishes itself in French gastronomy by re-emphasizing the “gesture” of service. In the dining room, flambéing, carving, and seasoning at the table, along with candlelit wine decanting, punctuate the service. This tradition is embodied in the eponymous “Gestes du Taillevent” menu, offered alongside the “Héritage du Taillevent” menu. These two four-course tasting menus are designed to create a vibrant connection between the cuisine and its guests.
A Cellar of Unrivaled Prestige and a Passion for Wine
The restaurant’s wine program is led by Chef Sommelier Thomas Millet, whose instinctive and singular approach was developed through encounters and hands-on experience rather than classical sommelier training. He shares with Chef Sperandio a vision centered on humanity and the present moment.
Le Taillevent’s wine cellar is considered one of Paris’s finest, housing nearly 40,000 bottles and featuring over 3,800 references. Some of these rare vintages have rested for decades, benefiting from allocations from iconic vineyards such as Domaine François Raveneau, Domaine Armand Rousseau, and Domaine Leflaive-a legacy of the relationships forged by André Vrinat since 1946.
The Gardinier Group: A Legacy of Gastronomy, Wine, and Hospitality
The Gardinier Group, founded in 1927 by Lucien Gardinier, is now in its third generation and unites various establishments across France, England, the United States, Lebanon, and Japan around the triptych of gastronomy, wine, and hospitality. With over 480 employees and a turnover exceeding 55 million euros, the group’s clear ambition is to “Value, share, cultivate, and transmit the richness of our Houses’ living heritages and integrate them into their time.”
Practical Information for Visitors
Le Taillevent is open from Monday to Friday. Lunch is served from Tuesday to Friday, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, and dinner from Monday to Friday, 7:15 PM to 9:00 PM. The restaurant is accessible via several metro stations in the 8th arrondissement, near the Champs-Élysées. Due to limited parking in this central Parisian district, visitors are advised to plan appropriate transportation.
Source: jds.fr
