27.10.10

A "bouillon"

The name “bouillon” was given to a large number of restaurants during the second half of the 19th century. “Bouillon” actually refers to a soup and these restaurants originally proposed a soup and a dish of meat mainly to workers, especially to those working at the “Halles”, the then Paris major food market.

Only a few “bouillons” remain, maybe only two, which at least have the name. One is the “Bouillon Chartier”, close to the “Grands Boulevards”, which I mentioned in a previous post; the other one is the “Grand Bouillon Camille Chartier”, mostly referred to as the “Bouillon Racine” , rue Racine. I had a lunch there with friends last weekend and took some photos before most of the tables were occupied.

This restaurant dates from 1906 and has a very typical Art Nouveau decoration. It belonged to Camille Chartier until 1926, changed name, owners and menus during the years, and the decoration suffered. In 1996 it was brought back to something which is similar to what it once looked like. It has been classified as an historic building.

It’s obvious that the original idea to offer only a soup and a piece of meat has also changed.

46 comments:

Trotter said...

Had several meals at the Chartier (Le Druout and Le Commerce were on the same chain); amazing places!!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Peter, what an interesting post with lovely photos. I did not know about this beautiful restaurant and its history. Merci!

Mrs A said...

Will add this to the list of places to visit while in paris, thank you lovely photos,

Baglady said...

Beautiful! I love the nouveau decor - it makes me want to eat there just to enjoy the scenery.

Mystica said...

As usual Peter you give us such beautiful photographs.

KATE said...

C'est tres belle!

stonecold said...

PARIS IS A NICE PLACE TO VISIT....

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Very interesting pieces of history! It certainly is no surprise that I am looking forward to a book by you! :-)

Anonymous said...

Very lovely post with a lot of information. Thank you
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Olivier said...

J'aime "chez chartier", en plus ils ont su gardes le cote ancien, superbe

joanna said...

Peter:

Merci, ah typical French perhaps, beautiful and sensational looking, but not typical for us here in the States, ours is diners and dives.

Thank you for showing us your wonderful photo's.

Joanny

Unknown said...

Wow, it's beautifully decorated. Kind of like stepping back into the past!

Jilly said...

This makes my heart jump. I want to be there! It just says 'Paris.' Well, so do all your gorgeous photographs. Fascinating history too.

Ailsa Chiu said...

How lovely photos. Hope I`ll been there~ :)

hpy said...

Qu'avez-vous mangé?

Administrator said...

how to make an image as your ^^

Shammickite said...

What a lovely place to have lunch. You are truly blessed, Peter, to live in the beautiful city of Paris and have so many wonderful places to visit.
I'm glad you are back safely from your sad visit to your homeland. I have not been visiting blogs much recently as I am moving house, and have been very busy house hunting, packing, making moving arrangements etc. But by the middle of November I will be in my new house, and by blog visits will be back to normal (I hope!).

Penguin said...

Beautiful photos. Makes me wish I was there right this minute!

rebekah said...

love the blog.. i've just become a follower! colorfulscrapbooker.blogspot.com

Mamas Heart n Soul said...

Wow! Det var da vakkert! Im absolutely speechless! :-)

Bloomin'Chick Jo said...

Your photo's are stunning! So glad to have discovered your blog!

The Clever Pup said...

we probably stayed right across the road from Boullion Racine in '92 not knowing what it was. Thank you Peter.

Hanny said...

Love the pictures! The French electronica duo Justice claim that there's a club called Divino in nearly every city. Know of one in Paris?

dunk2009 said...

It's really beautiful and the restrant are special!

http://dunk2009.blogspot.com

Richard said...

Order me a coupe straight away!

Kelly said...

Those restaurants look absolutely gorgeous, and I can only imagine how good the food must be.
I definitely need to visit Paris asap

Starman said...

Rode right past it the other day.

PEDROHUELVA said...

merci, por esta informacion.

gracias.

magnifico blog

Anonymous said...

so nice to see them

Nathalie said...

Bouillon Chartier, bouillon Camille Chartier, j'imagine que ces bouillons c'est une histoire de famille ?

En tout cas merci pour toutes les photos, quel lieu extraordinaire !

Simony said...

I very nice example of Art Nouveau! In every detail, tables, chairs, lamps, mirror, windows....
Like traveling back in time!

Bettina said...

What a fantastic beautiful place. I would love to go there someday ;o)

Cezar and Léia said...

Bonjour dear Peter!
Your post is fabulous and very inspiring!I love that name Camille and the elegant facade!
Hugs
Léia

RSA Certificate said...

c'est magnifique! I never tire of French architecture

from cali said...

I am staying not too far from here! Love the look of this place.

Lai said...

These are beautiful shots! Makes me miss Paris...

Lai
http://newyorkprism.blogspot.com

Bob Alescio said...

Next May I'll be in Paris for (only) one night. My hotel is two blocks from Bouillon Racine. Now I have another of your places to try fro dinner. Thanks, Peter, for your information - and passion.

Dark Rose Knits said...

Absolutely beautiful photos. I love that you post useful and interesting information with your photos explaining them. I would love to go to Paris some day!

Talip Yolda said...

love the blog,
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Mlle.M said...

Wow! I stumbled upon this blog just a few days before my weekend trip to Paris - I'm so glad I did! I took a trip to Bouillon Racine yesterday, it was only serving tea and coffee because of the public holiday, but it gave me a perfect opportunity to see the place in all its beauty. Many thanks for the tip off, your blog is wonderful!

Little Cat said...

waaaa really nice blog here ! The pics are amazing!

Vagabonde said...

Ce restaurant a un bien joli décor, mais la question est: est-ce qu’on y mange bien?

Liveaboard Cruises, said...

It nice to know that there are bouillon that still exist and in good condition.

Way to Trade Plus said...

Bouillon is still a famous place where you eat and have a good time.

Website Advertising said...

Paris is really a great place to visit whether for the beautiful buildings or the delicious food and cafe's.

Website Design Australia said...

Hope I can visit soon and try to dine at bouillon and to get the feel of eating like in the 19th century.