Jules Verne: The most famous restaurants in Paris have reopened after 10 months of renovation. Photo / Supplied
Located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne is perhaps the most prestigious restaurant in Paris.
Located 125 meters away in the famous French structure, the gourmet restaurant
Some might recognize it as the setting for the 1985 James Bond movie A sight to kill. While Roger Moore or Grace Jones are nowhere to be found, the views of Paris are certainly to die for.
Interiors left the mid-1980s far behind, in a redesign by Lebanese architect Aline Asmar from Amman.
Since closing for these renovations in September of last year, few have had the chance to see the interiors up close.
Amman says his goal for the redesign was “to infuse this fine dining restaurant, whose name resonates around the world, with timeless elegance through contemporary French decorative arts.”
Chef Frédéric Anton says he is passionate about the restaurant’s return to a gastronomic destination for the capital, and not just because it is in the most famous monument in the country.
The rule of thumb for rooftop restaurants is that the food, in general, is lackluster; rely on the picturesque backdrop to wow diners, instead of the food.
With the opening of Jules Verne, he has a chance to be an exception to this rule.
Taking over from former Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, Anton has the chance to breathe new life into dinner in the sky.
“I want Le Jules Verne to become a gastronomic destination before being considered a tourist destination,” he said at the launch.
The Meilleur Ouvrier de France and recipient of the Legion of Honor sees the renovation as a chance to start from scratch.
“We have started from scratch. It’s our spirit here,” Anton told reporters.
Those who wish to sample Anton’s menu should take a deep breath. The price of the weekend menu is almost as high as the famous tower that houses it, with formulas ranging from € 105 to € 230.