A must-try restaurant in Paris: Le Colimaçon

When I walked into Le Colimaçon for the first time I instantly knew this place was special. The raw stone walls and the worn wooden beams had a captivating character to them. It’s a small space, making for a very cozy feel. 

As I followed the waitress up the spiral staircase to the second floor I looked across the room to the most magical Parisian table (Pictured above). It was everything you would imagine about a nice brunch in Paris where you could feel a slight breeze on your face and peek your head out the window and watch people walk by on the street below. 

Aside from how memorable the feeling of the place was, here are three other reasons you should pay Le Colimaçon a visit next time you’re in Paris. 

The Ownership

Le Colimaçon is locally owned and operated. Nicolas Thiery and Didier Jourdan are the owners and together have decades almost half a century of cuisine experience, from what I understand, they are both French natives. They also try to get their ingredients from nearby farms and vendors, on the menu it even listed the farm from which my duck was sourced.

The Atmosphere

As I previously mentioned, the atmosphere of this place was absolutely stunning in such a subtle and inviting way. Tucked away on a small street in the 4th arrondissement and rich with history, the building itself dates back to 1732, and the restaurant was opened there in 1993. The location itself is highly accessible and within walking distance from many popular sites such as the Sainte-Chapelle.

The Food

Last but not least, the biggest reason for visiting Le Colimaçonis is, of course, the food. They strive for the freshest ingredients, and you can absolutely taste their attention to quality. Aside from the delicious taste of the food, the presentation was stunning. The food was colorful and carefully placed to create a beautiful display. Which almost looked as good as it tasted. 

When I was there I visited with my family and we ordered the duck breast (magret de canard), rabbit leg (cuisse de lapin), duck confit (confit de canard), and a seasonal salad they offered. Being the curious foodie that I am, I had a taste of each dish and was blown away by how good everything was. Prices for the entrees ranged from €22-38.