Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole, Traditional French restaurant and historical monument in Île de la Cité, Paris, France
Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole is a traditional French restaurant and historical monument housed in a 16th-century building on Île de la Cité. The house at 24 rue Chanoinesse sits draped in wisteria vines and contains seven baroque rooms decorated in shades of red.
The building was constructed in 1512 as a residence for canons of Notre-Dame Cathedral and later transformed into a wine bar in 1723. This conversion marked the beginning of its life as a dining establishment that continues to serve guests.
The dining rooms reflect the spirit of old Paris with their red decor and wooden structural elements that tell stories of centuries past.
The location sits in a busy part of Île de la Cité, so reservations are strongly advised, especially during peak hours. Access involves climbing narrow medieval stairs, something to consider when planning your visit.
The building once housed high-ranking church officials, including papal dignitaries, before becoming a dining venue. This spiritual past gives the rooms a character that visitors often miss when focusing solely on the food and decor.
Location: 4th arrondissement of Paris
Part of: 24 rue Chanoinesse
Address: 24 Rue Chanoinesse, 75004 Paris
Opening Hours: 12:00-14:00,18:30-21:30
Phone: +33768051137
Website: https://restaurantauvieuxparis.fr
GPS coordinates: 48.85420,2.35032
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:47
Paris has several dozen historic cafés that have endured centuries, retaining their original decor and unique character. These establishments, some over three hundred years old, have hosted generations of artists, writers, and thinkers, making them places for creation and intellectual discussion. Their listed facades, velvet benches, and antique mirrors today testify to an era when cafés served as important social and cultural hubs. Le Procope, founded in 1686, remains the oldest operating café in Paris and has welcomed figures such as Voltaire, Diderot, and revolutionary leaders. On Boulevard Saint-Germain, Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots have marked 20th-century literary history by hosting Sartre, Beauvoir, and Hemingway. In Montparnasse, La Rotonde gathered Picasso and Modigliani in the 1910s, while La Closerie des Lilas became a meeting point for American writers of the lost generation. More recent but equally storied, Café de la Paix near the Opera and Angelina on Rue de Rivoli continue the tradition of grand Parisian establishments where visitors come for both the decor and the cuisine.
Notre-Dame de Paris
139 m
Point zéro des routes de France
143 m
Great organ of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
139 m
Parvis Notre-Dame - place Jean-Paul-II
161 m
Pont d'Arcole
185 m
Charlemagne et ses Leudes
197 m
Square Jean-XXIII
205 m
Palais de l'Archevêché de Paris
190 m
Quai aux Fleurs
95 m
Musée de Notre-Dame de Paris
98 m
South rose window of Notre-Dame de Paris
120 m
La Colombe
56 m
Ancienne chapelle Saint-Aignan
20 m
Choir organ of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral
139 m
Fontaine de la Vierge
205 m
Sacristy of Notre-Dame de Paris
179 m
Hôtel de la Motte Montgoubert
79 m
Grand lectern of Notre-Dame de Paris
134 m
Port de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
189 m
Jardin de la place Jean-Paul-II
185 m
Jardinet de la Rue-des-Ursins
84 m
Presbytery of Notre-Dame de Paris
175 m
Louis XIII kneeling
155 m
24 rue Chanoinesse
5 m
Notre-Dame des Sept-Douleurs chapel
134 m
Baptismal font chapel
137 m
Hôtel des Ursins
98 m
Orgue de tribune de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
139 mReviews
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