Le Petit Rétro, Historical café-bar in 16th arrondissement, France.
Le Petit Rétro is a historical café-bar in the 16th arrondissement featuring a zinc counter at the entrance and walls covered with Art Nouveau tiles from Atelier d'Auteuil. The interior retains its original wooden furniture and napkin rings left by longtime patrons, still visible at the tables.
The establishment was founded in 1904 and featured decorative elements designed by Charles-Edouard Haviland from the start. The combination of the zinc counter and hand-painted tiles earned it protection as a historic monument, preserving the beauty of the early 1900s.
The name reflects the Parisian café culture of the early 1900s, when such places served as gathering spots for neighborhoods. Visitors can see handwritten bills displayed on walls and Art Nouveau tiles that give the space its elegant, understated character.
The venue sits in a quiet residential neighborhood and is easily reached on foot, with an intimate interior that feels cozy and compact. Arriving early or making a reservation is recommended, as the limited seating means it fills up quickly during busy hours.
The venue is connected to Michelin-starred chef Guy Savoy, who continues traditional recipes like eggs gribiche and house-made pâté en croûte there. What many visitors overlook is that the handwritten bills displayed on the walls are actual historical artifacts from the restaurant's operation, not merely decoration.
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