Maxim's
For much of the twentieth century Maxim's was simply the most famous restaurant in the world. Its Art Nouveau dining room, all curves, mirrors and stained glass, is intact.
- What it is
- Grand restaurant
- Opened
- 1893
- Area
- Rue Royale, by the Place de la Concorde
- Nearest museum
- Musée de l'Orangerie, 400 m
Paris this week
What Maxim's is known for
The Art Nouveau room
The decoration was made in 1899, in time for the Universal Exhibition of 1900: a stained-glass ceiling, mahogany curved like plants, and murals of nymphs. It is a listed historic monument.
The legend
The third act of The Merry Widow is set here. Scenes of the film Gigi were shot in the room in 1958, and of Midnight in Paris in 2011. Onassis, Maria Callas and Brigitte Bardot were regulars.
The address
The rue Royale runs from the Place de la Concorde to the Madeleine. The Orangerie and the Tuileries Garden are a few minutes away.
What to know
- Founded in 1893 by a former waiter, Maxime Gaillard
- Its interior of 1899 is a listed historic monument
- Reopened for daily service in November 2023
Where Maxim's is
Address
3 rue Royale75008 Paris, France
Nearest station
Concorde, on lines 1, 8 and 12
Museums and sights nearby
- Musée de l'Orangerie400 m
- Musée d'Orsay900 m
- Louvre Museum1.4 km
- Musée Rodin1.4 km
- Arc de Triomphe2.1 km
Distances are in a straight line from the restaurant.
From a waiter's bistro to a world name
Maxime Gaillard, a waiter, opened a small restaurant in 1893 in what had been an ice-cream parlour on the rue Royale. His successor gave it its Art Nouveau decoration, and by 1900 it was where the rich, the royal and the notorious of the Belle Époque came to be seen.
The Vaudable family ran it from 1932 to 1981 and made it the most celebrated restaurant of its day. The couturier Pierre Cardin then bought it and put its name on everything. After his death new operators took it over, and it has served every day again since November 2023.
Maxim's: common questions
- Where is Maxim's?
- At 3 rue Royale, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The nearest station is Concorde, on lines 1, 8 and 12.
- Which museums and sights are near Maxim's?
- Musée de l'Orangerie is 400 m away, Musée d'Orsay is 900 m away, Louvre Museum is 1.4 km away. Distances are in a straight line from the restaurant.
- What is Maxim's known for?
- The Art Nouveau room, The legend, The address. The most famous restaurant name in the world, in an Art Nouveau room of 1899 that is a listed monument. A few steps from the Place de la Concorde and the Orangerie.
- When did Maxim's open?
- In 1893. Founded in 1893 by a former waiter, Maxime Gaillard.
What visitors say about Maxim's
Rating from Google
Things to do near Maxim's
The nearest of this site's best things to do in the city. Distances are in a straight line.
- 13Sit with Monet's Water Lilies at the Orangerie400 m awayMuseum, 1 to 1.5 hours, ticket
- 14Walk up the staircase of the Opéra Garnier850 m awayMonument, 1 to 1.5 hours, ticket
- 6See the Impressionists at the Musée d'Orsay900 m awayMuseum, 2 to 3 hours, ticket
- 19Explore the covered passages1.3 km awayWalk, 1.5 to 2 hours, free
Artists to see near Maxim's
The museums nearest to here, and the most famous artists on show in each.
Musée de l'Orangerie, 400 m away
Musée d'Orsay, 900 m away
Hotels near Maxim's
The five-star hotels closest to it, of those this site lists in Paris. Distances are in a straight line.
- Hôtel de Crillon4.7Five-star hotel, Palace, Place de la Concorde100 m away
- Mandarin Oriental, Paris4.7Five-star hotel, Rue Saint-Honoré, by the Place Vendôme350 m away
- Le Meurice4.5Five-star hotel, Palace, Rue de Rivoli, facing the Tuileries450 m away
- Ritz Paris4.6Five-star hotel, Place Vendôme500 m away
Where to eat near Maxim's
The nearest of the famous tables this site lists in Paris. Distances are in a straight line.
- Angelina4.3Tea room, Rue de Rivoli, facing the Tuileries500 m away
- Café de la Paix4.3Brasserie, Place de l'Opéra800 m away
- Le Restaurant du Musée d'Orsay4.1Museum restaurant, Inside the Musée d'Orsay800 m away