Friday, February 4, 2011

Le Grand Véfour -- Reflection





Restaurant Le Grand Véfour is a classic in Paris, found at the north end of Jardin du Palais Royal. According to Fodor's review, "Victor Hugo could stride in and still recognize this restaurant, which was in his day, as now, a contender for the title of most beautiful restaurant in Paris." Built in 1784, the elegant mirrored ceiling has reflected the passings of Paris' famous and infamous over the centuries.

One reviewer said that the prices are as extravagant as the decor... Peter, Holly, and I only snapped photos from outside... tant pis pour nous.


Le Grand Véfour
17, rue du Beaujolais

For more reflections, see James' Newtown Area Daily Photo...

39 comments:

Alexa said...

Thanks for this one, Genie. I've been lucky enough to dine here twice—once at Victor Hugo's "usual" table and once at Napolean and Josephine's! It's everything they say—and more (save your sous and go for lunch).

James said...

What a beautiful ceiling and I'm always amazed when I think of the history of this place.
It's just around the corner from the apartment where I stay while in Paris but I've never even peeked inside. It's really nice to see especially in a reflection.:) This reminds me that I have a reflection photo or two of the outside of this restaurant.

Pat said...

Wooo, I was going to ask if you ate there....

o2 said...

Amazing!! There's another restaurant that you might like : "Le 1728", 8, rue d'Anjou, Paris 8.
But save your "sous" too !
Have a nice day!

Dianne said...

Bonjour Genie ~ I've read about this famous restaurant & from your photo it is every bit as opulent as it's reviews. How exciting you were able to take a peek through the window.

Anonymous said...

Magnifique plafond!
On pourrait consacrer un blog uniquement sur les plafonds des palais parisiens.
Quel régal de l'oeil, mais... Oh lala ma nuque! :-)
Merci Genie.

Brenna [fabuleuxdestin] said...

I was in a fancy restaurant in Strasbourg, and we wanted to take pictures but not eat. The waiters were so nice about it! This picture is beautiful!

Virginia said...

Oh this is wonderful and I don't think I've ever seen it. Guess I was too busy photographing petit garçons sticking their tongues out at me! HA
V

Miss Sadie said...

The place certainly has character. But this is Paris. What else should I expect?

Gunn said...

Just beautiful!

jb said...

This would be after V drank you sous la Table...?

Steven said...

A great photo. I like it. I wonder if you could have gotten an order of French fries to go.

Zigmoond said...

Прекрасные фотографии! Спасибо большое. Недавно вернулась, но так хочется в Париж. Скореее бы весна.

M said...

Oooh, Genie, lovely reflection -- and from outside! So jealous of Alexa right now -- I definitely want to experience this historic spot! Let's save up our euros and go there once -- we can fast the rest of the day :-)

'Tsuki said...

Fixer le plafond de cette endroit a dû effectivement inspiré les plus grands... Bravo Genie, pour cette magnifique trouvaille !

Ebie said...

Sigh, I can only see Paris through your beautiful photos.

Me, too, I was going to ask if you dine here...

Malyss said...

Thank you to show me a place where I've never dare to enter! to eat at the same place than Victor Hugo has a price, but it seems to be worth of it!
i wish you a nice week-end, dear Genie!

Unknown said...

What an amazing ceiling! Great composition, Genie.

Cezar and Léia said...

Mais cette idée est géniale!oh la la, tu est tellement créatif!
I could be there hours and not be dizzy!I love this kind of angle and composition!MErci!
Léia

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic reflection for the day, Genie! Terrific composition! I find it fascinating that a restaurant has been there for that long and the amazing list of people who've dined there! Incredible! Unfortunately, that one I missed when I was in Paris, but if I'm ever there again, you can be sure I won't miss it again! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Sylvia

Loree said...

Majestic. Wow. It took me a while to realise that it was a mirrored ceiling.

Harriet said...

So if this is a mirrored ceiling, I'm assuming that this magnificent art work (mosaics?) is from the floor. What a clever idea for a ceiling. Thanks for the photo.

cieldequimper said...

Never been yet (should I be blushing the colour of your blog?!)

biebkriebels said...

Such a beautiful ceiling and reflection. Victor Hugo was there, I like such nice stories.

EG CameraGirl said...

This looks like a great place to enjoy a "taste" of the past...in photos. I like the rich look of the wood. It looks very "tasteful." :)

Serendipity said...

Fabulous reflection!

Anonymous said...

A place breathing history.

Please have a good weekend.

http://wickdp.blogspot.com/

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

What a marvelous reflection!

Virginia said...

JB flatters me as always.
V

Jack said...

Very nice reflection, Genie. It is a bit disconderting to see that man upside down!

Pat Tillett said...

A very beautiful place and a great photo of it! Nice job...

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Alexa -- Twice? I just had a twinge of envy... How luxurious and special... When we meet you will have to tell me all about it!

James -- On your next trip to Paris, you must promise to "peek" or to go in for déjeuner -- Oh, and please let me know when you post the reflections of the outside!

Bibi -- Alas, not, but we did have some nice baguettes, fromage and wine that we shared at the apartment with Peter that day!

o2 -- I just wrote this one down to check it out... Merci!

Dianne -- Nothing like the American photographer poking her nose/lens everywhere... Well, it was neither lunch nor dinner so there was no one to disturb.

Richard -- Merci, mon ami! C'est un plafond extraordinaire.

Brenna -- I am a bit reserved about taking the photos during a meal but I usually get out my point-and-shoot to get the small things

Virginia -- You are a mess, mon amie!

Miss Sadie -- So elegant... looks like a movie set!

Gunn -- Merci, my friend!

jb -- Well, she could do it, but we were not together on this trip in December... tant pis

Steven -- Merci... pommes frites? I do not think so, but one never knows as they do serve them in some very nice places

Zigmoond -- Thank you for visiting and taking time to comment. I am sure that you enjoyed being in Paris.

Marie -- I think that is a great plan but it would have to be déjeuner sans vin - hah!

Rune Eide said...

And now I feel that I have been there too. Thank you for sharing :-)

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

'Tsuki -- Merci, mon amie. Le plafond est magnifique et c'est surprenant.

Ebie -- Please come and enjoy Paris often with me!

Malyss -- It is a peek only from the outside but so very elegant... wishing you a wonderful weekend, too, my dear.

JM -- As we say... always look up or you will miss something!

Léia -- One must be creative if you want a photo and you cannot get in! Merci

Sylvia -- There are so many of these classic restaurants and probably many more that have closed over the centuries. Merci, and a great weekend to you also.

Loree -- I took the photo and it took me a moment to get my perspective - hah!

Harriet -- Well, there appear to be mosaics on the floor next to the two people but the remainder (white and green border) are on the ceiling -- difficile, n'est-ce pas?

Ciel -- At least peek in the windows as I did -- No need to blush as Paris has plenty of undiscovered places yet

biebkriebels -- I do love hearing the history of a place as old as this

EG -- Well, this beggar could only enjoy the "tasteful" setting... merci

Serendipity -- Merci et bon weekend!

ρομπερτ -- It is indeed full of stories and history... merci!

Tammy -- Merci, and thank you for the wonderful feature of my blog that you posted!


Virginia -- I think that JB knows you

Jack -- It is and the more mirrors and reflected surfaces the more challenging our resistance to vertigo!

Pat -- Merci... This place just drips elegance!

RuneE -- Merci, and please enjoy the trip again.

Starman said...

We too have never gone inside.

Louis la Vache said...

«Louis» missed this one when he lived in Paris - not that he could afford it... When he first saw the image you posted, the thought it might have been Le Train Bleu.

Anonymous said...

Eating a lunch and watching this pomp, waw, that would be special - but sure cost saving money ;-)
Have a great week!

Randy said...

I would probably just sit there in awe of everything.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Starman -- If you go, please let me know what you think about it

Louis -- Le Train Bleu is another of the classics and quite beautiful as well

anjoe -- I know that I read about déjeuner at 88€ -- a bit expensive

Randy -- ...and if you did not eat, the awe would not cost much!