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Situated in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, with great views of Notre Dame Cathedral and the River Seine, the history
of the Tour d'Argent is absolutely fascinating and being probably the most well known
of all the restaurants in Paris you can get
a taste of luxury, the refinement of eating out and prestige that accompanies this famous
place.
The exhibits at the Tour d'Argent Petit Musee de la Table include memorabilia, photographs
and letters from some of the famous people that have dined at this haute cuisine
restaurant, but the main exhibit is a table laid out as it was for the prestigious event
held in 1867 for the Universal Exhibition in Paris
at the Caf? Anglais.
This royal assembly, which has become known as the Dinner of the three Emporors comprised
of Alexander II, Czar of All the Russias, his son and namesake the Tsarevitch, the King of
Prussia, Wilhelm I and the Prince of Bismarck, yet it is very rare for any restaurant to
have such prestigious guests dining for their pleasure, rather than an official function.
When you take a look at the menu of these guests, today it may seem rather too much luxury
for one meal, but as they were leaving the restaurant, Czar Alexander II complained that
he had not had the opportunity of tasting the foie gras, which of course is a typical
French delicacy.
Claudius Burdel, who owned Caf? Anglais, which was a famous Paris restaurant at the end of the 19th century
stated "Sire, it is not the custom of French gastronomy to serve foie gras in June,
if you can wait until October, you will certainly not regret it." He was faithful to
his word and sent a terrine of foie gras to each of the emperors in the autumn and this
specially prepared foie gras was later known as the "Foie Gras des Trois Empereurs.
Other items on display at the Tour d'Argent Petit Musee de la Table include the first
class dining room menu from the maiden voyage of the Normandie and an old silver duck
press that is the same as is still used today to prepare the canard au sang, which is the famous duck dish
for which every duck is given a number.
Also, there are ancient bottles of wine on display from
the wine cellars, cabinets filled with
memorabilia, the letters and notes from famous people such as Bill Clinton, Mickhail
Gorbatchev, etc and photographs of people like Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip taken
in 1948.
Being on the ground floor this museum come lobby and bar is a very comfortable setting and
a great place to enter prior to going up to the dining room and really gets you into the
spirit of the place, but unfortunately, you cannot see the display unless you have
reserved a table for a lunch or dinner at this truly remarkable and traditional French
restaurant.
Address & Contact Details:
Tour d'Argent Petit Musee de la Table
La Tour d'Argent
15-17 Quai de la Tournelle
75005
Paris
France
Telephone: 1 43 54 23 31
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