Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond: Affordable Gourmet With 200 Years of Parisian History
In the heart of Les Halles, Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond, with its sumptuous 19th-century decor and signature tripes à la mode de Caen, offers both an immersion in history and an affordable gourmet dining experience.
Originally called “À la Petite Normande,” the restaurant was founded in 1832 by Pierre Heutte. It was renamed “Pharamond” in after the family that made it a household name in Paris.
It now operates as a “Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond” to reflect its transformation into a traditional bouillon-style eatery serving affordable classic French dishes in a lively, democratic setting.
Pharamond gained fame for its tripes à la mode de Caen, a Normandy specialty introduced in 1877 by Alexandre Pharamond. The dish remains a highlight of the menu, alongside other traditional French staples like onion soup, steak-frites, and crème brûlée.
Pharamond’s food reflects authentic provincial flavors while appealing to modern diners. The dishes are priced to be accessible, a defining trait of the bouillon tradition.
The interior is a visual treat, protected as a historic monument since 1989. You will dine amidts moleskin banquettes, intricate mirrors, and period details preserved from the restaurant’s redesign for the 1900 World’s Fair.
The unique woodwork, painted mirrors, and glass paste, still echoes the presence of figures like Clémenceau and Hemingway. The timber-frame-inspired façade, added in the 1930s, pays homage to the architectural styles of Normandy.
Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond appears in Georges Simenon’s Maigret et l’Homme tout seul where an important scene is shot. It also featured in Claude Lelouch’s Hommes, Femmes : Mode d’emploi (1996), with Bernard Tapie and Ophélie Winter sharing a memorable scene on the ground floor.
The restaurant attracts Parisians seeking a classic meal at a good price and tourists drawn by its historic and movie fame.
What customers say
Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond draws crowds with its Belle Époque decor and old-school Parisian vibe. It’s popular among people who are after a classic experience without the hefty price tag.
Customers rave about the affordable French staples – escargots, boeuf bourguignon, and onion soup, served in generous portions. The staff gets points for being friendly and efficient.
Be prepared to wait in line since they don’t take reservations. Inside, the energy is high, and tables are packed close together, which some love for the lively atmosphere, while others find it cramped.
Reviews on food quality are mostly positive, though a few mention inconsistency with dishes not always hitting the mark.
Address: 24 Rue de la Grande-Truanderie in Paris’s 1st arrondissement. Website
In 2021, Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond expanded its offerings by opening La Petite Épicerie Pharamond, a delicatessen at 28 Rue Pierre Lescot, near the original restaurant in the Les Halles district. It offers products from local producers including eggs from the Gonne Girls farm, artisanal brioche, and signature tripe with Calvados.
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Cover photo: @ Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond