Drouant is beginning a new chapter in its history...

Founded in 1880 by Alsace-born Charles Drouant, home to the deliberations of the Prix Goncourt jury since 1914 and the Prix Renaudot jury since 1926, an artists’ haunt famous for its majestic staircase... Drouant does not just have a unique personality; it has a soul.

The owners since March 2018, the Gardinier brothers, were keen to continue the traditions of the past while establishing Drouant firmly in the present. On 4 November 2019, the date when the prestigious literary awards will be held, Drouant will unveil its redesign, opening up a new chapter in its history.

A history that began nearly 120 years ago. Originally a simple “bar-tabac” (tobac- conist-bar), Drouant hit the big time when the Académie Goncourt chose it as the venue for its literary awards. In the late 1920s, Jean Drouant commissioned Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, “the Pope of Art Deco”, to bring the establishment into line with contemporary tastes. At the time it was only a bistro, but soon developed into a genuine gourmet institution, frequented by all the best-known Parisian artists and personalities.

This unique history, the opportunity to own a slice of French culinary heritage and the prospect of restoring the restaurant to its former glory was what attracted the Gardinier brothers when the business came up for sale. Without denying its heritage, they intend to restore the radiance to this wonderful venue.

For this project, they teamed up with architect Fabrizio Casiraghi and Franck Durand, creative director. Together, they have reinterpreted Drouant’s iconic Art Deco codes and brought them up to date.