Discover the Best Restaurants in Paris Au Vieux Paris- It’s Posh, a Great Dining Experience & Won’t Break The Bank!

How We Found Au Vieux Paris | Best Restaurants In Paris

Last year, my lovely wife and I were fortunate to spend the most beautiful Christmas Day dinner with our most amazing friends at Au Vieux. A fantastic restaurant that we happened upon in our 2-hour tour in the motor icon of France, a Citroën 2CV. I asked the driver not to take the “usual tourist route” and that I wanted his recommendations as a foreign locale.

He took us behind Notre Dame to a popular place where locals hang out. And after passing that place, the Bell Captain from the Grand Budapest stepped out into the one-way street to invite us in for dinner.

The Outside Parisian Christmas Decor at Au Vieux Paris | Affordable Paris Restaurant

This is how close we were to the restaurant in our Citroën 2CV. The decor screamed Polar Express, so I asked the Buda Captain if he served dinner on Christmas. To our surprise, he said, “Yaaaahhhsss!” in a thick French accent. And I made reservations right there in the middle of the street…in a blue and yellow Citroën 2CV.

Best Parisian Restaurant Experience | Au Vieux Paris Restaurant Dining Experience

The host greeted us, and Captain that jumped before us in the street the night before. Little did we know that we were not only entering the parsonage, aka the Maison du Vieux Paris, which is located in the heart of the marsh, on the Ile de la Cité, directly behind Notre Dame in Paris.

The History of Au Vieux Paris Restaurant

The home was built in 1512 during the completion of the Cathedral. At the time, the now restaurant sheltered the Canon of Notre Dame de Paris. After being the residence of a Canon who was one of the Popes of Avignon (Clement VIII) among other Popes, it was sold by the diocese in 1723 to become a wine bar. The restaurant is in the inventory of Historic Monuments. Therefore, it is one of the oldest restaurants in Paris, and it has not changed since then. Only the people and entertainment of THE Captain.

Watch this video of one of the best Christmas experiences that I have ever had in my life.

Ignore Bad Yelp Reviews Written by Taco Bell Lovers

For some reason, when we were back in Paris for Maison et Objét, and even before my trip to the emergency room in Paris, I had not written a review and had to pop on Yelp to find the precise spelling of the place so I could book dinner again. To say I was shocked would be, to put it mildly. Some people’s rights to review amazing experiences should be revoked! Especially when they were also reviewing Nachos and Coca-Cola, Taco Bell, and Waffle House. Please go away; you do not belong in Paris or anywhere outside of the “good ole US of A baby!” First of all, you are not “at home,” this is not America, a Waffle House or a Burger joint because it seems that is where those that have left low ratings must eat. Five stars for a Taco Bell!!!! How does that happen?

Recommendations When Dining at Au Vieux Paris Restaurant

Did anyone bother to list that is one of the oldest remaining buildings in Paris, built-in 1512 and home to the Bishop’s of Notre Dame until the Church sold in the early 1700s? Did you even take the time to speak to the Waiter or make assumptions? Did you know he speaks seven languages and has managed and lived in the building for over 20 years? Did you know the owners live on the 5th floor and that he lives on the 4th and can rent the 3rd floor? Enough already, I am just quietly disappointed in those ineloquent reviewers with little or no regard for class, great food, and a little fun away from home.

Let’s start with my recommendations: the same recommendations that the Matre d’ usually provides, and most tend to ignore.{Yes, I’m also a good listener to those around me.}

The Wine Cellar & Tasting Menu at Au Vieux Paris Restaurant | Best Paris Restaurant

Have the tasting menu, four courses for less than $50, foie gras, salad, duck/steak plus dessert add an extra $20, and pair your wines. But do not go for the wines, even they don’t recommend it unless you’re not familiar with wines. They have a wine cellar, the smallest ever, and but although the selection is not massive, it’s affordable, and each little space houses incredible wines from e25 to e95. We chose an e50 bottle and were ecstatic.

The passage to the wine cellar…

Best Restaurants In Paris by P.S. This Rocks

Each table is literally in your space (meaning tight), and by the end of the evening, we were all friends and sharing stories from around the world, all on Christmas Day. We are still friends with many of them and stay in touch, such an incredible place to be and a perfect end to a beautiful trip. Our fantastic host sang to us and gave us a private tour, each window of the building has a view of Notre Dame, even the ground floor.

Christmas of last year, we sat on the ground floor in a 12×14 room, which contained five other tables…

A message from my wife: The walls and ceiling are decked out in crimson velvets, damasks, and trims on the walls, ceilings, and furnishings.

After dinner, we were invited to the upstairs dining room for a photo opp and inside the living quarters.

Yes, that is the top of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Our 2017 Parisian Christmas Family at Au Vieux Paris Restaurant | Best Restaurants In Paris

Spring Time at Au Vieux Paris Restaurant | Best Restaurants In Paris

The furnishings are all eclectic antiques that my wife is a maximalist connoisseur of according to my work daughter (aka. Jaye Anna Mize). We love Au Vieux’s experience so much that we took clients and friends back during Maison et Objet….after my Tour de Museum de Hospitals Paris visit. Thanks to my wife for saving my life and reminding me of it every day. 

Above: Jaye and I in front of Au Vieux Paris d’ Arcole in September. Today, there are very few old houses of this type, only the three or four neighboring houses which still belong to the Bishopric of Paris and where the current Canon of Notre Dame lives along with the Bishop of Paris JACQUIN. As a “tourist exception,” the City of Paris allows the unusual floral and plant decorations on the exterior, including a very impressive wisteria (7m high by 22m long) … which makes it a highly photographed place throughout the year and which marries wonderfully with the medieval look of the property complex. Through the upstairs windows, you can see the fabric draped ceilings…

Best Restaurants In Paris > Au Vieux Paris

Below: During the summer, spring, and fall, there’s no better place to enjoy a glass of wine on the sidewalk. My wife and her boyfriend, Sony loves to use those around as models and to capture images of complete strangers like this lady having a lovely time when the Polar Express is not passing through…

Any time you enter an establishment where your host is already enjoying a glass of wine, it’s time to check out of your regular self and jump in with both feet. You may have fun, pee in the smallest toilet ever, meet the chefs, have a song sung to you and leave with a smile that nobody will ever wipe off your face and to all those that gave poor ratings, stay off Yelp or Trip Advisor, get to your Waffle House, Taco Bells and Vegetarian spots! This is PARIS! And you do not belong.

Flip Through The Guest Book at Au Vieux Paris Restaurant

But as always, that is just my opinion, and be sure to leave your mark behind in the guest book at Aux Vieux Paris until next time. 

@ChefBoyd

P.S. Check out the videos of the amazing Christmas Window Displays of Paris. 

P.S.S. The restaurant address is:

Au Vieux Restaurant

24 Rue Chanoinesse, Paris, France

P.S.S.S. My Fashion Sources (Spring Photos): 

Danny Minnick art at Casa Wynwood on GAP Jeans Jacket

Shoes: Shoe Embassy – London, UK

Jeans: Buffalo Jeans

Shirt: Bugatchi